United States Army Air Assault School

The United States Army Air Assault School (officially, the Sabalauski Air Assault School, or TSAAS), is an Army Forces Command Table of Distribution and Allowances unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The school offers several courses, including Air Assault, Pathfinder, Pre-Ranger[1], Rappel Master, and Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES)/Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIES) Master courses.

[2] On the morning of graduation, students must complete a 19.3 km (12-mile) march with rucksack in under three hours before receiving their wings.

[4] Each day begins with rigorous physical training that includes unit runs from 3.2 to 8 km (2 to 5 miles).

A meticulous inspection of each soldier's 16 kg (35-pound) ruck sack is conducted after the 9.7 km (6 mile) foot-march on Day One.

Next is an obstacle course designed to assess a student's upper body strength, agility, endurance, confidence, and ability to perform at heights without displaying fear or distress.

During fast rope familiarization, students conduct a controlled descent and a static hold for five seconds.

The final event is the 12-mile (19 km) ruck march, which soldiers must complete with the prescribed uniform and equipment in three hours or less or fail to graduate.

The original Air Assault School is located at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division.

Student traverses obstacle course during Day Zero of Air Assault School
Students rehearse ground maneuvers during Combat Assault Phase
Students brace against the rotor-wash of a UH-60 Black Hawk as they prepare to attach a sling load during one of the practical exercises.
Students practice rappelling from a UH-60 Black Hawk during Air Assault School