Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | Using a secured online communications network, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas J....... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – The 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) put its “Sustaining Victory!” motto to the test during Command Post Exercise – Sustainment (CPX-S) held June 23-29 in North Fort Hood, Texas.
“A CPX is a simulation designed to exercise, stimulate and train the command section on the unit's operation processes,” said Capt. C. Russell Green, the 143rd ESC's battle captain for the exercise. “Numerous computer simulated events are disseminated throughout the unit, then observers watch how we respond as a command staff.”
Brig. Gen. Bryan W. Wampler, commanding general of the 143rd ESC, welcomed the challenges designed by a collection of contractors and senior leaders from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command as well as the 75th, 78th and 120th Training Commands.
“(CPX-S) is the first step to evaluate our team's ability to function as a command through a series of real-world injects,” said Wampler. “Every team member should feel good about what they can accomplish when faced with hard situations.”
The word, “team,” proliferated throughout the bustling Support Operations Center (SOC) as one emergency after another filled computer monitors and projector screens. A single scenario would set a dozen sections in motion, causing a cascade of email, phone calls, memos and meetings. Hours later, each section emerged from its station with expertly designed products that, when integrated with initiatives from their strategic partners, would solidify a sound solution.
“As battle captain, I oversee the data, information and knowledge flowing in and out of the SOC,” said Green. “I had to learn quickly the roles of responsibilities of each section to ensure the information went where it needed to go.”
A majority of that information flowed in and out of the 143rd ESC's support operations, commonly known as SPO.
“Everything the 143rd (ESC) does revolves around SPO,” said Sgt. Maj. Monte M. Waller, the SPO sergeant major for the 143rd ESC. “We handle all classes of supply from to food and fuel to munitions and medical supplies, (and) then we deliver them through our land, air and sea assets.”
The theory that all sections revolve around SPO becomes fact when the unit establishes a reliable communications network. Much like Newton's laws of gravity, the unit's G-6 section synchronizes the attractive forces each section applies on one another.
“We established networks for all the systems needed to manage the exercise,” said Pfc. Richard W. Caudell, information technology specialist for the 143rd ESC. “It took us two days to set up the site while overcoming several connectivity problems before the exercise started.”
Hailing from Kissimmee, Fla., Caudell and his G-6 comrades monitored and maintained the machines that gave the command immediate access to the people and data needed to make sound decisions.
“I was able to run the help desk by myself,” said Caudell. “Being able to step up and maintain that role proved that I have the skills to handle the stress.”
Not every soldier in the 143rd ESC had a direct role in the exercise. Outside the training environment, the 143rd ESC's Headquarters and Headquarters Company managed the troops' administrative, medical, legal and financial needs.
Staff Sgt. Michele P. Bell, human resources sergeant for the 143rd ESC, described the unintended logistical challenges the CPX-S pushed upon her section.
“We were working with the SRP (Soldier Readiness Process) teams to ensure every soldier was medically qualified to head downrange,” said Bell. “We were also handling pending pay issues and conducting mandatory classes. ... It was difficult pulling soldiers from the exercise and shuttle them on a one-hour round trip between the CPX-S training site (in North Fort Hood) and the (SRP) facilities in South Fort Hood.”
Despite the conflicting demands between the exercise's training scenarios and the pre-mobilization training schedule, the 143rd ESC completed the CPX-S with high praise from its observers and commanders.
“This exercise has been a success across the board,” said Wampler. “We are going into a constantly changing environment, and I have no doubt the team is ready to handle any challenge.”
The 143rd ESC departed June 17 from Orlando, Fla., to conduct pre-mobilization training in North Fort Hood, Texas. The unit will spend the next three weeks honing their individual warrior tasks and drills before embarking on another intense sustainment exercise in July.
| Date Taken: | 07.03.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2013 21:22 |
| Story ID: | 109755 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | KISSIMMEE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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