Michael Hole, a 2003 graduate of Columbus East High School and an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, has graduated from the U.S. Army Air Assault School and earned the Air Assault Badge.
Hole is the son of Anita and Harold Hole of Columbus. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.
The 10-day course of instruction focused on combat assault operations involving hands-on, performance-oriented Army warfare operations associated with helicopters. The training includes a nine-station obstacle course, a two-mile run in Army boots, phases in combat assault operations, sling-load rigging and inspection of prepared lift loads, and tower and helicopter rappelling fast rope operations. Students are familiarized with the capabilities, knowledge and recognition of Army helicopters, aircraft, airborne and airmobile operations, setup of parachute and landing zones, safety procedures and aeromedical evacuation operations.
Students must complete a 12-mile foot march in three hours or less wearing the prescribed uniform with weapon, equipment and a 30-pound backpack. The foot march is a graded task and a graduation requirement of the air assault course, designed to test strength, stamina and endurance.
