Photo By Sgt. Maj. Andrew Porch | U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Loya, a health care specialist, with Headquarters and...... read more read more
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. – From loading vehicles and equipment by train and semi-truck to packing soldiers on a bus, it takes multiple working parts to move a brigade element across country.
From May 29 through June 8, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, transported more than 3,900 soldiers and shipped approximately 700 pieces of equipment to Fort Irwin, Calif., in preparation for a monthlong field training exercise.
The initial week at Fort Irwin is set aside for preparing the brigade to conduct combat operations and show they are battle ready.
“I think the biggest thing for soldiers is a lot of times they deal with their own battalions and having to coordinate things through the battalion level,” said Capt. Steven Morse, brigade tactical battle captain, 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. “This is very much a brigade operation; it gives many of them a look at the big picture.”
Once soldiers hit the ground, they went right to work.
“We are building combat power,” said Morse. “We are in the initial stages of [reception, staging, onward movement and integration] and we are trying to get ahead of the ball game as much as possible.”
As soldiers arrive, the main focus is to receive equipment, install simulated battlefield weapons called MILES and ensure everything is working properly.
Not only did the brigade ship equipment, but they also drew vehicles from Fort Irwin personnel.
“We have about two days to [inspect] the vehicles before we sign for them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Muller, Bradley fighting vehicle system repairer, Forward Support Company, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd ABCT.
Soldiers inspecting the equipment know it is important to check and re-check to ensure everything is working properly.
“If [soldiers] get bad equipment or something is wrong with it, anything can happen out there in the box,” said Muller. “The terrain is crazy and making sure the vehicles are safe is key.”
Brigade leadership wanted to replicate what soldiers might go through during a movement to a combat theater of operations.
“This is a fairly accurate representation of what an actual deployment RSOI is like,” said Morse.
Most importantly, leaders with little or no experience will have the chance to see how an operation of this magnitude works.
“We have a lot of young leaders, to include myself,” said Morse. “A lot of guys who this is the first time doing their jobs. There is a lot of new staff coming in right now, so this is our dry run at the deployment.”
Setting aside a week for integration also allows soldiers the proper time to adjust.
“Acclimatizing and familiarizing themselves with their equipment and how the unit works is important in preparing soldiers for future operations,” said Muller.
As soldiers prepare for combat operations later this month, this week should build the team and ensure success.
“I think any shared hardship brings a team together and this is definitely a shared hardship,” said Morse. “This is a unique opportunity, as a brigade, to build combat power and fight together.”
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2013 11:55 |
| Story ID: | 108397 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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