Photo By Master Sgt. Daniel Griego | In this image, Sgt. Michael Thorpe of the 136th Military Police Battalion discusses...... read more read more
BASTROP, Texas - "It's part of the capabilities of the military police companies, our combat support companies," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Husken. "They need to understand how this vehicle and its weapons systems apply and can be used tactically."
The Texas Guardsmen of the 136th Military Police Battalion, part of Joint Task Force 136 (Maneuver Enhancement Brigade), trained for two weeks in Camp Swift and Camp Maxey from June 6 - 20 on their specialized weaponry and vehicles as part of a long-term plan to certify their mission set.
"This is part of an overall program that's going to last multiple years," said Husken, who serves as the senior training NCO for the battalion, "culminating next year for these Soldiers at annual training, where they'll actually go through a certification gunnery and run through all the gunnery tables and actually get certified on the ASV."
The ASV is the preferred military police transport, the M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle. This 16-ton, wheeled carrier is designed to mount the MK19 grenade launcher, the M2 .50-caliber machine gun, and the M240B machine gun. Throughout the battalion's training period, the Guardsmen refined their skills on these weapons and on driving, ultimately integrating the assets together during the final days at Camp Swift.
"We're here today getting familiarized with the MK19 and the .50-cal on the ASVs," said Pfc. Kyle Wampler, a driver with the 712th MP Company. "[We're] getting some training in so next year we can qualify with them."
These Camp Swift maneuvers were preceded by basic military police exercises at Camp Maxey that focused on security and detainment.
"They've conducted a field training exercise in their traditional MP tasks," said Lt. Col. Randal Brown Jr., commander for the 136th MP Battalion. "Those include establishing area of operations, simulating the rear of the battlefield where they would be responsible for security, and we simulated their encountering locals, insurgents, other folks, who then they had to question and in many cases detain."
What made this year's training special was the opportunity for the battalion's four companies to come together and train in a collective environment. With units scattered throughout Texas in Tyler, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso, this is only the second time in eight years that they've been able to conduct annual training as a single entity.
"It is much more impactful training if the whole battalion can consolidate in one location and conduct their various MP missions," said Brown. "So the troops were very highly motivated. It's been a very successful AT."
Sgt. 1st Class Husken, the architect of the training, sought authenticity and relevancy in coordinating these preparatory exercises in anticipations for next year's certification.
"It really required a lot of research," said Husken, "reaching out to find experts who could help me pull all this together."
For some, the experience was a means to reinforce existing skill sets and improve in their designated assignments.
"The best part of the training," said Wampler, "is driving, since I'm a driver."
By the two weeks' end, the Soldiers were equipped with renewed confidence in their skills and prepared for the next year of increased tempo building up to their certification exercise.
"Once we go to gunnery school next year and get certified," said Pfc Katelynn Sweeney of the 712 MP Company, "I'm pretty sure we'll be set for anything."
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2014 18:33 |
| Story ID: | 133893 |
| Location: | BASTROP, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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