CW4 Sawyer notes in his opening remarks that he had just recently returned from a deployment to Iraq while serving as a fixed wing aviator. During the course of his interview he offers several discussions and contrasts of his pre-mobilization training experiences during both mobilizations. CW4 Sawyer offers a detailed explanation as to his plan to conduct readiness level (RL) progression training during the pre-mobilization training period. In his narrative, Sawyer notes that similar RL training requirements exist for crew chiefs. Sawyer relates how he planned progression training to accommodate both his veteran crews as well as several green aviators. CW4 Sawyer relates how his battalion commander (Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Digiacomo) worked with the Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) combat aviation brigade (CAB) and operations - air (C3-Air) to impose planning limits on missions. Sawyer notes that the planning factors constrained the number of hours planners could use in planning air missions; the limitations gave better flexibility to the crews in accomplishing missions, as well as ensuring crew hours stayed within safe limits. CW4 Sawyer describes planning and resourcing distinguished visitor (DV) missions in such a way so as to reduce risk. Sawyer relates "stacking the deck" – crewing the aircraft with only well experienced Aviators – to mitigate risk and give maximum assurance to mission success. CW4 Sawyer contrasts some of the differences he observed between Army National Guard and Regular Army aviators. He describes the higher cohesion levels, and vested interest common in Guard Aviators as a product of years of service in the same organization. In contrast, he notes that Regular Army aviation units often struggled to meet readiness standards due to personnel turbulence, and less experienced aviators. Sawyer also discusses his interactions with the parent battalion (an Ohio Army National Guard unit), including the use of the Task Force Pegasus standard operating procedure (SOP) in order to grow working relationships prior to the mobilization.

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