MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. – Soldiers from the 485th Military Police Company, Nevada Army National Guard were trained in the fundamentals of patrolling course here in preparation for deployment by the 1st Battalion, 361st Regiment, “Redhawk,” 5th Armored Brigade Sept. 15.
“Redhawk” observer controller/trainer Sgt. Victor Garciaramos accompanied the soldiers through the designated training lanes and observed their movement techniques as a team and asked them important tactical questions and made on-the-spot suggestions.
“Fundamentals of patrolling are assigned so that our units can develop their own standing operating procedures and practice the techniques they think works best for them. We set up a couple of scenarios so they can exercise those cordons, halts, and individual movements,” explained Garciaramos.
The course takes the joint war fighters through mounted and dismounted patrols where they encounter scenarios made up for a realistic situational awareness in dealing with improvised explosive devices, communicating with villagers, and breaking contact.
“In this training, they [485th MP Company] did really well, they did outstanding. They set up the cordons really great, so they were … a ‘go’,” Garciaramos added.
“This is the first deployment as a unit for the 485th MP Company,” said Platoon Leader 1st Lt. Victor Van Horn. “Good thing is that we’re all in high spirits, we are all excited to get trained up and get into Afghanistan and start doing the missions.”
Staff Sgt. Timothy Brady, who deployed to Iraq in 2004, said the training was excellent.
“… it was very good; it gives our soldiers the opportunity to sharpen their skills; we don’t do all this training very often so any chance we get to go out to the field and actually sharpen up our skills, it’s a good thing,” said Brady, platoon sergeant for the exercise. “Everybody [the OC/Ts] here has been there and done it and they bring a lot to the table.”
Pfc. Rocky Mills, former employee with the Reno Police Department with a business college degree, had the responsibility of rear security during this exercise.
“This [training] is one of the best; the IED placements, they are really hard to see, but we’re still getting them…,” said Mills.
This will be the first deployment for Mills and the first deployment for the “Battle Born State’s” 485th MP Company.