Photo By Spc. Jarrett Branch | The Fox vehicles kick dust into the air as the convoy takes defensive positions during...... read more read more
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — A sense of determination filled the air at Yakima Training Center as the "Outlaws" from 62nd Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, donned their battle-rattle. The purpose of the day's mission was strictly to train, but the Soldiers acted as if they were preparing for battle. Staff Sgt. Daniel Johnson, 1st platoon's acting platoon sergeant, said that they must be prepared for any situation because their duties vary from identifying possible chemical threats to providing protection during convoys.
"We're the first sent out," said Spc. Ashley Pucciarrelli, 1st platoon, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 62nd Chemical Company. "Even before the cavalry scouts; we are out there making sure it's safe for others to do their job."
Before the Soldiers began training they inspected their Fox Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance vehicles.
"We take great care and pride when inspecting the Foxes," said Johnson.
The crews who worked on the Foxes understand that not properly inspecting the vehicles could cost them their lives.
Pfc. Layne Paulk, 1st platoon, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 62nd Chemical Company said he knows that proper preventive maintenance checks and services is crucial to the crew's protection. "Failure to properly inspect the Foxes can put the crew in a dangerous situation, especially when in a contaminated environment," said Paulk.
Once the crews finished the inspection they huddled around Johnson as he began to inform them about the day's mission. The scenario for this training was to react to contact and send an assault team to clear a building. Confidence exuded from the Soldiers as Johnson explained how to handle the situations.
After the briefing, the Soldiers performed a dry run without the use of the vehicles. Though they had not mounted the Foxes, the crews still carried out the drills as if they were inside the "made for combat" vehicles. After two more dry runs, the crews mounted the Foxes and with the tremendous speed began stage two of their training.
The convoy moved down the dusty trails of Yakima's plains and left only a haze of tan-arid dust behind as it headed to the training site.
During the training exercise, the three-vehicle convoy rolled along the trails until one of the rear gunners informed his crew of enemy contact. The Foxs began to take defensive maneuvers and position themselves in response to the enemy's fire. Once in the proper position the gunners laid suppressive fire and the assault team made its way to the building.
When the assault team reached the building, they practiced clearing a room and then headed back to the vehicles. The recon platoon repeated this battle drill a number of times because they believe training is the key to a successful mission.
Sgt. Jose Salinas, 62nd Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion said, practice is just as important as the mission because quality training leads to quality Soldiers. "[Quality training] creates Soldiers who are best suited for combat."
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2009 17:50 |
| Story ID: | 35585 |
| Location: | FORT LEWIS, US |
| Web Views: | 318 |
| Downloads: | 236 |
This work, Outlaws Take Foxes for a Ride, by SPC Jarrett Branch, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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