European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 2, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday november 2, 1990 the stars and stripes air assault training gives troops lesson in High achievement a a a Page 9over Here by John Millar Wurzburg Bureau Fulda Germany a unbridled fear seized the Soldier. Soon he doubled Over with the dry heaves and began shaking uncontrollably. It was the kind of fear that could cripple a Soldier on the Battlefield but he had seen no enemy fire. The Soldier was scared to death of Heights. His enemy was the platform of a rappelling Tower that loomed 60 feet above him. Instructors for the Usa eur air assault school at Sickels army Airfield in Fulda Are proud of that trembling Soldier. They Point out that he went on to set the school record for rappelling from a hovering helicopter the most times in one Day. Like Many who attend the school he overcame paralysing fear to earn the army a air assault wings. The school is a very demanding emotionally and physically a said 1st it. Daniel Nosal who As commandant runs the school. The 10-Day course involves three phases of intense instruction Nosal said. In addition to rappelling the training focuses on planning and conducting combat air assault missions and preparing cargo and equipment for helicopter transport in slings and nets. During air assault missions soldiers Are flown to Battle in helicopters usually at High speeds just above the treetops. Soldiers either Rappel from the aircraft or jump out on Landing. The idea is to get troops to an area quickly have them perform their Mission and pick them up again. Sling loading is one of the army a preferred ways to get equipment and supplies to and around the Battlefield. Loads vary from humvee to bucket loaders to fuel bladders. Air assault soldiers must determine How much a particular helicopter can carry Rig the Load so it is stable and finally Hook it up while the aircraft hovers a foot or two above their Heads. Rappelling is the Art of sliding Down a rope. But for air assault soldiers that rope is connected to a helicopter 90 feet up. It. Col. William Braddy commander of the 4th so 11th army Cav regt which runs the course said his is one of three army air assault schools. The others Are at fort Campbell ky., and Schofield Barracks Hawaii. A in the other courses they come in the morning get their training and leave at the end of the training Day a Nosal said. A when they Check in with me monday they done to leave until 10 Days later. A we do this to narrow their focus. Their focus should be to earn the air assault badge a nothing  to accomplish that students lose their name and rank when they arrive Braddy said. A a they re called a wannabees a because they want to be an air assault  that applies to officers As Well As enlisted members. Each is referred to simply by a roster number. A typical course starts with 96 students usually volunteers from units that need soldiers with air assault skills. In most cases it drops to 90 within 24 hours. On the first Day students must pass the army a physical readiness test standards for 17 to 21-year-Olds. If they fail they re gone. There a also an obstacle and Confidence course that first Day. Two obstacles Are designed to a identify those who can to conquer the fear of Heights a Nosal said. A we Call this emotionally challenging because Here its a Battle with your courage All the time a Braddy said. A a there a a physical Challenge but there a always fear and we re constantly trying to Sharpen and improve their self esteem and  a the first two or three Days Are should i say intense a explained staff sgt. Leander Woodruff the school fitness expert. The physical training is designed a to try to Weed out the ones who have problems with the push ups sit ups and runs that we  students need to be Strong to be Safe Braddy said. A the higher expectations of obedience and discipline in a physical fitness program. Are one of the keys to a Good safety program a he said. A a soldiers grip is not going to fail him when it  about 15 to 20 percent of each class fails to graduate but a each class has its own Success  one such Story was student no. 10, or a one Zero a the Soldier suffering from acrophobia the fear of Heights. A sometimes you done to know of the soldiers fear of Heights until you get them on the Edge of the Tower a staff sgt. Michael Elmer said. A you have to Deal with each one of them a Little different to get them out there on the ropes a said Elmer the noncommissioned officer in charge of operations and an instructor at the school. He a amps John Millar students Rappel from a uh-60 Black Hawk at Sickels army Airfield in Fulda Germany. Said the four to one student teacher ratio allows him to do that. A some people it takes a get your butt out  a he said. A some people it takes a Little bit of kind  Elmer said he used the kind talking method on a one Zero a who wanted to leave the course As soon As he saw the 60-foot Rappel Tower. A we took him up there and put a safety rope on him until he got Over that fear a Elmer said. A i think it was the taking of his hand and showing him that was his  one Zero passed the final Rappel exam in which soldiers have to make two rap Pels from a helicopter hovering some 90 feet above the ground. Then his instructors and fellow students coaxed him into rappelling again and again until he broke the school record with 10 helicopter rappers in one Day Nosal said. A by the end. He was enjoying the Heck out of what he was doing a Nosal said. Such feats make the Effort worthwhile for instructors All of whom Are volunteers Braddy said. A nobody gets paid extra a he explained. A the payment comes on those faces on graduation Day. Its not uncommon when i pin the wings on a Soldier for him to burst out in  is amps John Millar instructors at the Usa eur air assault school show How to Rappel from a helicopter. At right numbers taped to students helmets serve As their names during the course