EL PASO, Texas - Fort Bliss received more than 100 of their first Stryker Light Armored Vehicles, by rail from Fort Lewis, Jan. 19. The Stryker vehicle will provide the soldiers of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Ready First” 1st Armored Division with a quickly deployable armored vehicle.
The Stryker vehicle is named in honor of two soldiers who posthumously received the Medal of Honor; it has the ability to maneuver the battlefield with speed, is easily maintainable and is designed to safely transport soldiers.
“The Stryker vehicle will provide the brigade and Fort Bliss with the mobile capability to get the soldiers to the fight quickly, and safely,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Daniels, command sergeant major of “Ready First.”
According to Daniels, the brigade will conduct training starting this year so the soldiers can master their new vehicles and weapons systems.
“The brigade’s future will begin with New Equipment Fielding this year and then we will continue to train throughout the next two years to provide every soldier with the necessary skills to survive on the battlefield,” said Daniels.
Capt. Spencer Timmons, the officer in charge of the brigade’s fielding and training on the Stryker, added that once the brigade completes their training “Ready First” is scheduled to deploy to one of the army’s training centers to validate their training.
He added, it is an honor to be Fort Bliss’ first Stryker brigade; these next two years will be a long processes but the soldiers of the brigade are looking forward to the challenge.