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CAMP TAJI, Iraq (July 25, 2008) - As the sun begins to set
beyond the Baghdad horizon, the sound of laughter and conversation
emanates from the corrugated steel sleeping trailers of
Multinational Division Baghdad Soldiers from the 4th Infantry
Division's Company C, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat
Aviation Brigade.
Behind the chatter, an alarm clock sounds, alerting Army Sgt.
David Brocato it is time to get ready for the night's mission. It's
6:30 p.m.
The 28-year-old crew chief knows that proper preparation is a
must before any operation as he begins mentally preparing himself
for the long night ahead.
"The reason I came into the military and into this job goes back
to when I initially joined the Army," the Kentwood, La., native
explained, embarking on his quarter-mile trip to his company's
flight line. "If I was going to do something in the military, I was
going to do something that I really enjoyed. For me, helicopters
were the only choice."
As a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, Brocato's
responsibilities seem almost endless, especially working for 3rd
Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, which has a three-fold mission
for Multinational Division Baghdad.
The battalion is responsible for air assault missions, formal
aviation mission requests and routine personnel air transport --
called the Iron Horse Express -- throughout the Multinational
Division Baghdad area of operations.
With more than 1,000 flight hours under his belt, the senior
crewman's responsibilities range from in-flight instruction to
performing critical fixes on the aircraft during missions.
Also considered the "eyes of the aircraft," he is required to
help the pilots maneuver the helicopter in and out of tight areas
and to watch for threats from the sky. Most missions last about six
hours.
At about 8 p.m., with the expectation of an air assault
operation tentatively scheduled three hours later, Brocato's tone
became more serious as he looked over the night's flight schedule.
He checked and rechecked both mission number and helicopter number
before quickly moving to another office containing maintenance logs
and beginning the hour-long process of ensuring his aircraft was
mechanically sound.
"Any kind of maintenance or mechanical issues are all logged
into a computer system, and it's my responsibility to ensure all
the scheduled maintenance has been completed before we even go out
to look at its condition," he said. "Aircraft maintenance is very
meticulous because of the risk factor involved with flying. If a
mechanical problem occurs in the air, it puts the whole crew at
risk for injury and even death. Essentially, it is the crew chief's
responsibility to ensure this doesn't happen."
Just before 9:30 p.m., Brocato and a trainee, Army Spc. Daniel
Simonson, began their pre-flight inspections of the aircraft.
As they scanned the Black Hawk's exterior components, another
member of the team informed Brocato the air assault mission had
been cancelled. This cancellation hardly equated to anything for
Brocato and Simonson, who briefly acknowledged the announcement as
they continued the inspection process.
"When there isn't a scheduled air assault, that doesn't mean
that we get the night off," Brocato said, laughing.
"The majority of the guys in this company are new to all of
this," he continued, reaching for his flight helmet. "When we don't
have a mission, we conduct in-flight training for the new guys, so
when called upon they can go out and successfully perform the
required missions in combat."
As an experienced aviator now on his second tour to Iraq,
Brocato said he prides himself in the training of his Soldiers and
that any chance to show them how to proficiently perform their
duties in the air, whether on a mission or in training, is an
honor.
Long-time aviators of his unit consider it an honor to watch the
young crew chief grow and meld into an inspiring leader, and they
predict continued success in his Army career.
"I see Sergeant Brocato in 10 years as a command sergeant major
or a chief warrant officer 3 or chief warrant officer 4," 1st Sgt.
Michael Davis, the company's senior enlisted leader, said. "He is
one of the best and most dedicated young noncommissioned officers
that I have seen in my 23 years of service. All of the Soldiers and
officers really respect him, and he is truly a role model for all
Soldiers to emulate."
Just like his grandfather before him who was one of Louisiana's
first helicopter pilots in the military, Brocato knew exactly what
he wanted to do when he signed on the dotted line. Aviation was the
only way to go.
With only about 45 minutes until the crew's scheduled take-off
time, Brocato went over a few more things with Simonson and ensured
the trainee was prepared for the mission, a duty the senior crew
chief doesn't take lightly.
"He's been here before, knows the ropes, and he's passing it on
to the new guys," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Shott, Brocato's platoon
sergeant. "He is a constant professional. I feel very fortunate to
have him as a squad leader. We couldn't do all this without
him."
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