Photo By Sgt. Quentin Johnson | Pilots with 4th Bn., 227th Aviation Regt., 1st ACB conduct air maneuvers in support of...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT HOOD, Texas – Convoy live fires benefit the soldiers on one aspect of convoy training, but with additional support forces, gives a more realistic training effect.
To ensure effective and realistic training, collective efforts of soldiers from all companies in the 15th “Gambler” Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and members of the 4th and 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div., conducted convoy life-fire exercises here, Jan. 30 to Feb. 6.
Convoy lanes introduced 45 Gambler soldiers to basic lane scenarios such as ambushes, react to contact, react to improvised explosive devices, evacuating a casualty, calling in a nine-line Medical Evacuation and call for fire, said Capt. Paul Schmidt, commander of Company A., 15th BSB.
“These are basic and efficient lanes being conducted,” Schmidt added. “They need to learn to work as a team, we are certifying them as gun truck crews.”
Lane training went smoothly with few interruptions, Spc. Chad Richardson, a gunner with the Gamblers, said. All soldiers and support staff did a great job, everyone worked well together.
Crew confidence is built around successful training as teams familiarize their tactics, but most importantly utilizing the assets afforded them, Schmidt continued.
“Our assets and support have been extremely helpful. They have gone leaps and bounds to bring realism into the training,” Schmidt said.
“We depend on realism for successful training,” Richardson added. “It allows us to understand what opposition we might expect, especially when having to provide cover for our medics providing care to casualties.”
From an operational standpoint, logistical convoy support is vital for operational success and that includes air support, Maj. Isaac Bates explained.
“Close related mission ground support with integrated air support allows logistical convoys to move efficiently through battle space,” Bates, the Gambler operations officer, said.
That is why the live-fire exercises are so important, Bates added. The assets provide that “train as you fight” concept.
Training also provided the medics training they needed, Schmidt said. “As they play an integral part in our convoy operations while deployed, it’s good for them to integrate and partake in the training now.”
“I believe medics, like air support, will be vital elements for mission success if we do deploy,” Richardson said. “They are well trained and will help be fully mission capable.”
Overall, training went well, Richardson explained. Soldiers he spoke with had fun and did strive to do their best with each lane conducted.
“Morale and camaraderie was high during the event,” Schmidt added. “The soldiers took the training seriously, I am proud of their hard work.”
Schmidt said advanced lane training for the Gamblers is in the works but not scheduled at this time.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.26.2013 18:33 |
| Story ID: | 102574 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Combined lane training benefits entire support battalion, by SGT Quentin Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT