Photo By Spc. Steven Bennett | Staff Sgt. David Turner directs his assault team’s aim on target during a live-fire...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. - Army National Guard director Lt. Gen. William Ingram Jr. toured Fort Stewart to observe the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s eXportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC) exercise.
The XCTC program provides soldiers with an experience similar to combat missions overseas. XCTC is a battalion field-training instrument designed to certify company proficiency in coordination with First Army. More than 2,000 Georgia Guardsmen have converged on the regional training center at Fort Stewart, minimizing cost and time otherwise spent traveling to one of the Army’s Combat Training Centers in Fort Irwin, Calif., or Fort Polk, La.
“This exercise has really exceeded my expectations,” said Ingram. “The soldiers in the 48th have really been on the money with putting people where they need to be in order to get the most out of this exercise. I’m impressed.”
As director, Ingram guides the formulation, development and implementation of all programs and policies affecting the more than 350,000 citizen-soldiers of the Army National Guard.
Ingram toured ranges and met with soldiers of the 48th IBCT and their international brethren the 51st Highlands, 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS). The 7 SCOTS are on location to cross-train with the 48th IBCT in the XCTC exercises.
“I think it’s great when your senior leadership is willing to get out in the heat and muck with you and see the troops in action,” said Staff Sgt. Stefan Berry of Charlie Company, 1-121st Infantry Regiment, 48th IBCT.
Berry, a squad leader for Charlie Company, added, “Since I’ve come into the National Guard, we have been taught our doctrine. It really sparks the brain to work with and learn from other countries.”
The SRI International team demonstrated some of its simulation capabilities with a scenario involving actors and high-tech props.
The National Guard Bureau operates the XCTC program in conjunction with SRI International giving soldiers true-to-life simulations to enhance their training.
Utilizing personnel location and 3-D interfaces to conduct after-action reviews, the mission of XCTC is to gain better perspective into the actions of platoons in the field environment.
“With the XCTC technology, not only does the soldier get better simulations, but it gives the soldier better insight into their platoon’s actions,” said James Patterson, tactical analysis center lead for SRI International. “This is the kind of stuff I wished we had when I was in the Army.”
Soldiers with the 48th IBCT will be conducting the XCTC throughout the month of September and will continue to receive the best training available to enhance the Guard’s ability to react in missions both domestic and globally.
“There is a significantly bright future for the Guard and the XCTC program,” said Ingram. “Soldiers in the 48th will be well trained at the end of this exercise.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2013 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 113651 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Hometown: | MACON, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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