KTSM News – Fort Bliss’ Combat Aviation Brigade takes part in massive exercise in Germany
Posted on September 23, 2025
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Soldiers and helicopters from Fort Bliss’ 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade took part in a “downed aircraft recovery training” simulation as part of a larger multi-national training exercise in Hohenfels, Germany.
Task Force Desert Knights from Fort Bliss participated in the DART as part of Exercise Saber Junction 25, held at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels.
A U.S. soldier peaks through the lower rescue door of a CH-47 Chinook, verifying the sling-load during a notional Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confideU.S. Soldiers assist the sling-loading during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7th AA CH-47 Chinook lifts the sling-load during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7th ArmA CH-47 Chinook flys overhead during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7th Army TrainA U.S. Soldier verifies the sling-load during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7th AA CH-47 Chinook lifts a UH-60 Blackhawk during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7thA U.S. Soldier assists the sling-loading during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by 7thU.S. soldiers from 2-501st General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, secure a helicopter for sling-load during a notional Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sliU.S. Soldiers pose for group photo after a successful Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation at exercise Saber Junction 25, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s (JMRC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. Training on DART ensures aviation units can rapidly respond to downed aircraft incidents, which are highly likely in combat. Practicing recovery under stress, including sling-loads, security, and movement, builds confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. Evaluated by
U.S. Army photos by 2nd Lt. Courtney Rorick and Sgt. Kammen Taylor
The larger excerise is viewed as a crucial rehearsal for real-world combat readiness and to increase interoperability — the ability of different partner nations to be able to work, communicate and fight together.
On Sept. 11, a CH-47 Chinook airlifted a UH-60 Blackhawk as part of “this high-stress recovery operation, testing soldiers on sling-load procedures, security, and rapid movement in a combat-like environment,” according to a social media post by by Combat Aviation Brigade.
DART training ensures aviation units are ready to respond swiftly and effectively to downed aircraft incidents — critical in high-tempo combat scenarios, the post said.
The larger exercise at JMRC brought together 7,000 participants and 1,000 vehicles from 15 nations, according to the Combat Aviation Brigade.
(U.S. Army photos by 2nd Lt. Courtney Rorick and Sgt. Kammen Taylor)
