Saam finishes US Army combat assault course

Nolan M. Saam, an Army ROTC cadet at Gonzaga University in Spokane, has graduated from the U.S. Army Air Assault School and earned the honor of wearing the Air Assault Badge.

The 10-day course of instruction focuses on combat assault operations associated with helicopters. Students are required to complete a 12-mile foot march in three hours or less wearing the prescribed uniform with weapons, 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.

Saam, son of Mark and Robin Saam of Colfax, is a 2012 graduate of Prosser High School.