Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment out of Bend, Ore., partake in an early morning...... read more read more
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - The Oregon National Guard has been called upon to defend our nation many times since 9/11 and has frequently responded when needed within the state.
The state’s soldiers and airmen are expected to maintain a high level of readiness with their military tasks and drills.
They do so with training that occurs one weekend a month, and during annual events that typically last around two-weeks in the summer.
For the soldiers of 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment from Bend, Ore., of the 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as well as other Air and Army National Guard units from Oregon, training full time for a short period each year is an important part of maintaining a highly skilled, professional organization.
“Annual Training [AT] reinforces skills that became second nature during initial Army training,” said Sgt. Alex Zhang of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1-82 Cav. “It is a very important part of keeping guard members sharp because Soldiers are able to perform and refresh their Military Occupation Specialty, and gain experience in the careers they enlisted for,” Zhang said.
AT is about keeping up with an evolving Army while carrying on time honored traditions that build the sense of pride Troopers share, said 1-82 Cav. Commander Lt. Col. Chris Reese.
The majority 1-82 Cav. is currently at Gowen Field Idaho conducting their training mission from July 16-30. During that time they will perform weapons qualifications, urban operations training, IED awareness, convoy live fire, 24 hour tactical operations to simulate deployment, and many other skills.
“This is designed to compile all the skills we practice throughout the year with a culmination that brings everything together,” Sgt. 1st Class Arnie Pooler, an S3 assistant operations Sgt. for 1-82 Cav.
“We would not perform as well without it,” he said.
Pfc. Michael Stackhouse of Bravo Troop 1-82 Cav. said he is excited about his first AT.
“We practice every month, but coming out here for two weeks helps things become engrained in our head,” he said. “Spending the time helps us build camaraderie and learn how to do our job better.”
Cavalry Scout non-commissioned officer from Alpha Troop 1-82 Cav., Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cossey, said as a non-commissioned officer it refreshes and refines tactics and traditions in an environment where soldiers grow together while working hard.
“The NCOs feel a sense of responsibility to teach those skills and traditions,” he said. “It is because of this type of training I have no doubt my soldiers will perform at the highest level when called to duty—just like they have done in the past.”
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2011 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 74778 |
| Location: | SALEM, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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