JRTC Operations Group conducts scenario rehearsal and overview for August 2013 rotation

Photo By Capt. Jeffrey Legendre | Lt. Col. Matthew J. Tackett, 1/509th ABN Commander outlines the Opposing Forces plan for rotation 13-09.  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

08.07.2013

Courtesy Story

Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group

FORT POLK, La. - Approximately 5,900 soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Special Forces Command's 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, other key Army units, and the U.S. Air Force will participate in a major training exercise Aug. 7-31 at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.

In preparation for this exercise the JRTC Operations Group held a scenario rehearsal and overview July 31 to ensure all members of the Joint team had a shared understanding of events and expectations.

The exercise will require the units to conduct an airborne operation in order to gain access into “Atropia,” a sovereign Nation and U.S. ally who has asked for assistance defending their Country against foreign hostilities. The training units will also be required to conduct a noncombatant evacuation of U.S. citizens and both defensive and offensive operations against conventional and terrorist forces.

One of the key aspects of the rehearsal was the review of airspace coordination measures. Exercise planners stated the first two hours of the airborne operation will have roughly the equivalent of the aircraft normally seen over a 24 hour period. Operations such as this typically cannot be accomplished at a training unit’s home station and is one of the key factors that make the JRTC a unique training environment.

Brig. Gen. William B. Hickman, Commander JRTC and Fort Polk, attended the rehearsal and overview and provided guidance and focus areas to Operations Group Observer, Coaches/Trainers.

Hickman stressed the importance of “shared understanding” and interdependence between the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Special Forces and the interagency teams that will replicate U.S. State Department in a fictional U.S. Consulate. He added interdependence between all units and interagency role players must be “reciprocal,” meaning they must not only share information, but make mutual adjustments to their overall plans in order to get to a shared end state; the destruction of enemy forces and the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Atropia.

Upon completion of the two hour rehearsal Hickman praised Operations Group and all the briefers from across the installation for their hard work and commitment to creating a world class exercise. He also asked everyone to emphasize safety and ensure leader development for the training units is the top priority.

• Date Taken: 08.07.2013
• Date Posted: 08.07.2013 16:27
• Story ID: 111526
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US