188th Infantry Brigade

Story by Maj. Marc Young

The "Battle Ready" 188th Infantry Brigade, a training brigade of First Army Division East, is responsible for training ready oversight and mobilization of National Guard, Reserve, designated active and other forces to provide ready units to regional combatant commanders. The 188th Infantry calls Fort Stewart, Ga., home, but often facilitates training of Guard and Reservists at distant mobilization sites. The 188th is currently at Fort Bragg, N.C., teaming with several other units to train the Orlando, Fla., based 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

"The 189th Infantry Brigade from Fort Bragg and 5th Brigade, 75th Division from California, are also vital to our training operations," said Col. George Geczy, commander 188th Infantry Brigade. "It takes teamwork from these units and support from the Fort Bragg community to make this training successful for the deploying unit," continued Geczy.

Soldiers from the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command arrived at Fort Bragg in early January prepared to train for their planned early spring deployment. The 143rd ESC mission includes the management and sustainment of equipment and supplies at the theater level of operations. Originally, the 143rd ESC mission was sustainment operations in Kuwait, but the recent need for bolstered sustainment infrastructure in Afghanistan may cause an abrupt change of mission for the unit.

First Army trainers and staff quickly adjusted training exercises to ensure the 143rd ESC is prepared to face challenges that a deployment to Afghanistan may bring.

"Our training methodology has not changed drastically, but we are adjusting to ensure the 143rd receives training specific to the threats and challenges a new theater of operations may bring," said Geczy.

The 143rd ESC logistic warrior training culminates with base defense life fire exercises and later progresses to a series of simulated command post exercises and participation in the Unified Endeavor exercise at Fort Bragg.

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