FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The 406th Army Field Support Brigade hosted the second annual Brigade Logistics Support Team (BLSTs) Olympics at Fort Bragg, N.C., March 25-28.
The BLSTs from Forts Drum, Bragg, Stewart and Campbell had the chance to determine their strengths and weaknesses during timed-events like combat lifesaver lanes, land navigation, Blue Force Tracker and written examinations covering topics like the Army Force Generation Model.
After competing against three other two-man teams in events that tested combat readiness and military decision-making, Fort Drum BLST Maj. Benjamin Kilgore and Logistics Management Specialist (LMS) Tom Gordon took home first place.
Maj. David W. Woods, officer in charge of the BLST Olympics and the 406th AFSB operations chief, said each team is assigned to a brigade combat team at their respective duty location. There they provide logistical and sustainment support in garrison and throughout the brigade’s deployment.
“This is validation training that I can show to my supervisors, which shows I can do my job well and proficiently,” said Maj. Jason Cole who partnered with LMS Mike Ahrens and represented the BLST from Fort Campbell. “I feel better having my LMS here performing these events with me. It helps me assess where he sits with his knowledge base and how well he’s trained to go downrange. Now we both understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The land navigation and CLS lanes tested skills every Soldier is expected to know for survival.
Brigade Commander Col. David Wilson, who founded the 406th AFSB Olympics said he believes civilians who deploy should be equally proficient in these skills. He said the enemy does not discriminate between Soldier and civilian.
Wilson added that proficiency in areas like land navigation is a perishable skill if not practiced regularly.
“It's imperative Soldiers and civilians serving in a combat zone are capable of maneuvering without the use of electronics like the Blue Force Tracker,” Wilson said. “You never know when that equipment will fail.”
Woods said the purpose of the event was to ultimately assess each BLST’s strengths and weaknesses, which he feels the 406th AFSB Olympics accomplished.
This was a great way for the teams to have fun and help provide training guidance for the future, added Wilson.