CAMP ADDER, Iraq - The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers, Oregon National Guard, began their deployment overseas in Kuwait with training from the outgoing unit in June 2009. Now, at the end of their deployment, March 2010, the Soldiers had the opportunity to train those coming to replace them.
Task Force Volunteer, 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry Regiment drove various types of vehicles to Kuwait for pre-mission training. The 2nd Squadron 108th Cavalry, 256th IBCT, Louisiana National Guard, will be using the vehicles when they take command of the convoy security mission conducted by the Volunteers.
The training included maintainer's course for the mechanics and MRAP driver's training. The driver's training encompassed various components the Soldiers needed to accomplish their mission.
"The casualty evacuation was more realistic than I've had," said 2 /108 CAV truck commander Staff Sgt. Ronnie Veal of Lecompte, La. "The counter- IED training was great."
Task Force Volunteer brought 10 months experience of convoy security to Kuwait for the TF Geronimo Soldiers.
"It was good having the actual unit teaching the most up-to-date in techniques, tactics and procedures and passing it on to our guys," said 2/108th 1st Sgt. Billy Myers, of Natchitoches, La.
The 2/162 IN Soldiers trained the incoming 2/108th CAV Soldiers their duty responsibilities and the idiosyncrasies of the area and missions.
"We brought the standard [to TF Volunteer expectations]," said driver Pfc. Ronald Cain from Medford, Ore. "We also explained what to expect at Camp Adder and on the road."
Seeing and working with the new unit eager to learn helped in the success of the training.
"Louisiana is a good group of guys. They accepted training well and with a good attitude," said Spc. Mukunda Moss of Gladstone, Ore., and a gunner with C Company 2/162 Inf. "They were willing to learn, even the ones who deployed before."
While in Kuwait They were able to experience every aspect of a typical mission. The 10-day training is the beginning of the relief-in-place process of handing the task to the 2/108th Cav.
"Good opportunity to see how we will operate and train the rest of the time," said Maj. Eric Riley, TF Volunteer operations officer from Roseburg, Ore. "It's the first real taste of how TF Volunteer operates. They experienced it all from the briefs through the mission."
As the Soldiers arrive at Camp Adder and conduct the 'right seat/left seat ride' they will continue to have the benefit of the Volunteers' experience before actually heading out on their own.
"I put as much as I could into them," said Pvt. Owen, of Cottage Grove, Ore.
The training resulted in positive attitudes from both task forces.
"It's good to know the level of Soldiers who will be replacing us," said driver Owen.
"It was a great hand-off," Myers said.
