Photo By Jennifer Archdekin | Missouri Guardsmen make their way through inches of snow to assemble near the landing...... read more read more
BOONVILLE, Mo. – While focusing on training to improve soldier readiness and combat capabilities, Missouri Guardsmen with the 1-138th Infantry Regiment recently battled the snow and below-freezing conditions to “invade” Boonville with the cooperation of area civilian agencies.
Specialty infantry sections from Kansas City and mortarmen from across the state participated in the training exercise March 1-3.
“This is the type of stuff infantry soldiers live for,” said Lt. Col. Marty Clay, commander of the 1-138th Infantry Regiment.
With the help of the Kansas City Police Department, Boonville Police Department and the 244th Aviation Brigade from the Kansas Army Reserve, the combined training event tested the skills and endurance of these soldiers.
“Conducting field training gives our soldiers the opportunity to practice their field craft,” said Clay. “The cold weather and snow simply provided them with the challenge of practicing their skills in harsh environmental conditions that they may face when called upon in a real world crisis, whether that crisis be within the state of Missouri during a natural disaster or overseas in support of U.S. efforts to support partner nations. It simply helps them prepare for operations in any environment.”
The exercise kicked off March 1 when elements of the scout and mortar platoons, medics and sniper section conducted an air insertion by CH-47 Chinook helicopter from Kansas City to Boonville. Other brigade elements and support personnel convoyed to the Boonville armory.
Throughout the weekend Boonville residents may have observed some unusual activity in the community, but all for a good cause. Scouts patrolled the streets in a tactical foot march practicing movement techniques while mortar firing positions and a fire direction control center prepared to support operations with 81 mm and 120 mm mortar fire.
Lt. Christopher Carpenter, executive officer for Headquarters, Headquarters Company in Kansas City, said the scouts braved deep snow and below-freezing temperatures to conduct reconnaissance and ambushes with the support of medics and the battalion chaplain.
“We also included winter survival classes,” said Carpenter. “Cold weather survival training was ongoing as these soldiers braved overnight temperatures below 25 degrees.”
As for the sniper section, they established a concealed position the night before a raid to overwatch a “high-value target.” The team lay motionless in the snow for about eight hours overnight in support of the operation. Ultimately the target was successfully eliminated after a mock battle in which Soldiers from Company A of Boonville participated.
“Environmental conditions will dictate how you execute your missions,” said Clay. “During this exercise our mortars had an opportunity set up and certify their Soldiers skills and our scouts and snipers had the opportunity to conduct their movements in the snow. For the scouts and snipers their primary job is to remain unseen. This can prove more difficult in a snowy environment.”
Clay added that a training event of this nature helps the newer soldiers understand how to prepare for operations in a winter environment while enhancing a more seasoned soldier’s skills on a number of levels.
“During this exercise the company leadership refreshed their skills related to air movement planning and execution,” said Clay. “In a snowy environment, you can get a lot of wash from the snow when a helicopter lands, and this was a good exercise for the leadership to rehearse how to plan and execute an air movement in this environment.”
Over the weekend, the mortarmen conducted an outdoor gunner’s exam consisting of five different drills involving the mortar systems. The drills were timed and graded to a strict standard. Upon completion the unit reported 22 qualified gunners and 11 received an expert rating.
Additionally, fire direction control certification was also achieved by all FDC personnel and section sergeants. Carpenter said the certification is attained after passing a strenuous written exam on directing mortar fire.
“Overall this successful training mission was the culmination of extensive planning and coordination among numerous units, as well as several civilian agencies,” said Carpenter.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/
| Date Taken: | 03.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2013 18:22 |
| Story ID: | 103025 |
| Location: | BOONVILLE, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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