KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, completed the transfer of two M110 Howitzers from Kandahar Air Field to Forward Operating Base Price Jan. 16.

It may seem like a routine task, but when the transfer takes place by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, things get a little more interesting.

"Well the first thing is that it enables us to keep the guns off of the road, so we won't be hit with [Improvised Explosive Devices] and become non-mission capable," said Staff Sgt. William Willoughby, assigned to A Battery, 3-17 FA, 5/2 ID (SBCT). "This is enabling us to stay mission capable and allowing us to move the guns at a faster speed than we would on the road."

Using helicopters during missions is new territory for 3-17 FA according to Willoughby.

"Most of us have done it three or four times here in country," Willoughby said. "It's relatively new for 3-17 to do Air Assault missions, but our guys trained well and we adapted quickly to the mission at hand."

One of the key members of the sling load team, Pfc. Michael Wall, a Bridgeport, Texas native assigned to Headquarters and Service Battery, 3-17 FA, 5/2 ID (SBCT), joined an all ready established team of soldiers from A Battery.

"It was one of those "Hey, you" details and I was the only one qualified to do it," Wall said. "My Battery is so undermanned right now having everyone pushed out, so I was the only one left to do it."

After learning the basics of sling load operations, Wall found a new passion for the duty.

"I can honestly say that I didn't know this detail was going to be fun," Wall said. "There aren't a lot of details out there that are fun, and this is one of my favorites and I've been on pretty much everything."

The operation was a success, and according to Capt. Jason Washburn, assigned to 3-17 FA, 5/2 ID (SBCT), saved 3-17 FA time and trouble.

"I think it's a great enabler," Washburn said. "It's much safer, based on the IED threat. Flying is safer than driving, right?"