Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Philip Steiner
The reaction to an improvised explosive device or ambush has to be quick and efficient. The enemy could be nearby and the more time that is spent deciding what to do, the longer the soldiers are in danger. Learning from Situational Training Exercises, taught at Gowen Field Training Area, south of Boise, Idaho, soldiers with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard, are gaining the ability to make sound and quick decisions in high-stress situations. They are trained to react quickly to enemy contact and to effectively move through the area so it is secure and safe.
“We had five different scenarios where the soldiers had to go out and maneuver properly both tactically and to see if they made the right decisions in situations that came up,” said Master Sgt. Jimmy Madison from Columbia, S.C., with the South Carolina Army National Guard, an instructor at the STX lanes supporting the 116th CBCT’s pre-mobilization training at Gowen Field Training Area.
As the mission for coalition forces changes in Iraq, so does the standard operating procedures and training conducted here in the states for mobilizing units. The mission for the 116th CBCT is not a combat mission; it’s one of maintaining security for convoys and forward operating bases. Thus, the training has been changed here at Gowen Field to make sure the soldiers know what to expect.
“As situations change in country, we get different training guidelines, and we train the guys in the latest and greatest changes to the different types of training,” said Madison.
With the changes in the way U.S. forces approach operations in Iraq, along with the ever evolving approach from the enemy, soldiers must adapt and overcome the new challenges that face them.
“The (soldiers) get a lot out of the training and get to see the difference between the way training and fighting used to be ,versus they way they are training now,” said Madison. “Its not man on man now, it’s a 360 degree war, so you have to maintain 360 degree awareness at all times.”
Even with these changes, the soldiers feel adequately prepared for the deployment.
“It’s a lot of training; we did some good and bad things and found what we need to improve on. All in all we accomplished the main task and learned a lot,” said Spc. Brice Bulham, from Meridian, Idaho, with Charlie company, 2nd Squadron , 116th Armored Reconnaissance.
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2010 00:01 |
| Story ID: | 55690 |
| Location: | GOWEN FIELD TRAINING AREA, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 465 |
| Downloads: | 11 |
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