Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Foss | Soldiers of 2nd Engineer Battalion from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., work with the...... read more read more
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Deep within the National Training Center's vast and desolate training area lies a force ready to overcome any challenge or threat that comes its way; the Warrior Brigade did just that.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) made its way to the Army's foremost training center during the peak of the Mojave Desert's summer heat to be tried and tested as one of the most proficient and capable fighting forces in today's Army.
"This rotation was a good rotation for everybody involved – to include the operations group here at NTC – to see what the SFAB organization looks like," said Maj. Sam Redding, chief of operations and brigade aviation officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team.
The SFAB, or Security Force Assistance Brigade, is a unique construct of Soldiers organized with the interest of advising and enabling another nation and its security forces to take the lead in all operations in an effort to stabilize and secure the country. This scenario served as a major challenge for the Warrior Brigade and brought Soldiers new and interesting training situations.
"There was an interesting number of assists pushed to us that we really don't work with; for an example, civil affairs and MISO (Military Information and Support Operations),” said Capt. Juan Castellanos, commander of B Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. “We don't normally get enablers like that at home station. The flexibility to plug them into the battlefield was both rewarding and challenging."
Implementing a well-planned training mission and following through as successfully as the Warrior Brigade did it could not have happened without great Soldiers on the ground making it happen.
"We have a lot of great young team leaders and young Soldiers (who) stepped up to the plate and performed above their responsibilities,” Castellanos said. “We had zero safety incidents; it shows that the young leaders are out there doing the right thing and enforcing the standards at all times. Overall, it was a success."
The environment at NTC nearly replicates that of Afghanistan. With its mountainous and desert terrain, mixed with dry heat and sudden washouts, it makes for a very unforgiving training area.
"We're 10th Mountain Infantry Soldiers; cold, hot, rain or dry, we are doing our mission. It rained; we did it. In the heat, we did it," Castellanos said.
Soldiers of 1-87 Infantry encountered these harsh conditions when they had to dig their tents out of the mud due to flash flooding.
"These were pretty tough and austere conditions,” said Col. Stephen L.A. Michael, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander. “What's most impressive is that the Soldiers of this brigade rose to the occasion and exceeded all of my expectations.”
With sound leadership and expert Soldiers provided the necessary tools to complete the mission, leaders feel there is little the Warriors of 1st Brigade can’t do.
"We just have to take care of our guys and make sure they are prepared to do what they have to do and we'll be fine," Castellanos said.
"The training was really good for learning casualty situations, maneuvering casualties, casualty evacuations and CCPs (casualty collection points)," said Spc. Eric Roberts, senior medic for C Company, 1-87 Infantry.
Roberts emphasized the importance of the training and noted that working with aviation units on medical evacuations helped them all become better at their job.
"The new medics coming to the line got great training (in) treating casualties," he said. "It's always good in preparing us for any situation."
Medics, infantrymen and food service specialists alike could all head back to Fort Drum with more confidence and combat readiness than what they possessed before getting here.
"The successes and lessons the brigade learned in this rotation will help us for any future deployments," said Redding.
The National Training Center may be remembered as a place of discomfort for many Soldiers, due to the challenges and conditions experienced here; many of these same Soldiers appreciate these challenges and conditions and recommend other units to come.
"I think NTC is a first-rate installation with first-rate organizations that allows the flexibility to closely replicate combat conditions. Every unit in the Army should come here, if given the opportunity. We've learned a lot, and it's made us an even better organization," said Redding.
"This brigade has done a phenomenal job,” he added. “Talking to the folks here at NTC, they said this has been a historical rotation.”
Michael explained that the time here at the NTC is exactly what the brigade needed to show that they're fully capable and ready to deploy, fight and win at any mission the future may hold.
“I shall find a way, or make one” – the motto of the 1st Brigade Warriors – was apparent to their commanders and the NTC observers / trainers.
“This is exactly what you saw: folks figuring it out, solving problems, getting it done regardless of the challenges and adversities,” Michael said. “I would say this is a resounding success. As the commander of this brigade, I could not be any prouder of the Soldiers, leaders and the commanders of the NCOs that constitute this great brigade of ours.”
The National Training Center commanding general expressed to the Warrior Brigade commander that this performance was the finest he has seen in his 20 rotations here.
“I can tell you we can be at no better place right now than the National Training Center,” Michael added. “Our mission is to train and be ready to deploy anywhere in the world, and on arrival, fight and win. I can say right now, with confidence, this brigade is ready."
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2014 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 145888 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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