Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Miller | Soldiers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry Regiment, 63rd Troop...... read more read more
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CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – Soldiers of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry Regiment brought their expertise to the Combined Arms Live Fire Training Exercise (CALFX) Aug. 13, 2014, at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center during Operation Northern Strike.
The CALFX is a culmination of air and land forces engaging ground targets such as pop-up targets, vehicles and vertical structures. These targets are engaged with M-4 rifles, M249 machine guns and 60mm mortar teams. In addition, aerial support is provided by C-130 Hercules, A-10 Warthogs, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters.
Communications from ground to air are provided by the Air Force’s Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), which are specially trained in these types of communications and target designation.
“The focus is on joint fire support integration and synchronizing fires between Air Force, Army, and any other unit that comes into play,” said C Troop Commander Capt. Justin Bierens.
Soldiers stood single file waiting for the Chinook to fly them to the air-to-ground range to conduct the CALFX. Upon landing, the two squads quickly disembarked from the rear of the Chinook and laid in the prone position in order to provide security for the helicopter’s departure. After the air support left, C Troop began their final pre-combat checks and inspections, and were issued their ammunition for the CALFX.
The two squads assembled in a staggered wedge formation to begin the training lane. While the soldiers were moving through the lane, they were looking for possible enemy targets to engage such as personnel and wheeled vehicles.
Soldiers visually identify an enemy target (a green plastic training target), and then give the verbal call out of “target up.” The call was echoed and Soldiers immediately took a prone fighting position and began engagement. While one team of each squad provided suppressive fire, the other team conducted their movement-to-contact maneuvers using bounding over watch, which consists of three to five second rushes. The movement-to-contact continued by alternating the bounding teams each receiving suppressive over watch fire support from the other. When the Soldiers reached their limit of advance, they took up temporary fighting positions in order to provide the most cover and concealment.
As C Troop advanced further into the lane, Apache helicopters provided aerial over watch and engaged designated targets communicated by the JTAC’s with 2.75 inch rockets and automatic 30mm cannon fire. The Apaches then continue to provide rear over watch.
To enhance the CALFX, C Troop also had to demonstrate their ability to evaluate and evacuate a casualty. They called in a nine-line medevac, and upon proper communication, two Blackhawks landed at a landing zone designated with purple smoke. C Troop provided 360-degree ground security while a two-Soldier aid team helped the “injured” Soldier to the helicopter for medical treatment. After the two Black Hawks departed, C Troop continued on their live fire exercise, engaging the final set of targets and preparing 60mm mortars for fire. The three-Soldier mortar team successfully and rapidly fired 12 60mm mortar rounds to effectively neutralize their designated targets while other Soldiers continued to engage targets.
Next, JTAC’s coordinated an air strike with two A-10 Warthogs engaging vertical structures with 300-pound bombs followed by three C-130 Hercules aircraft providing ammunition supply drops.
The last step to the CALFX was to secure a helicopter landing zone, marked with yellow smoke and await the Chinooks’ arrival to extract the teams.
The purpose of the exercise is to train and hone skills and gain experience in what is as close to a real combat scenario as possible while providing the necessary assets to successfully complete a real world mission. C Troop, their JTAC counterparts and several rotating and fixed wing assets displayed air and ground superiority using fluid communication, dominant fire power and proven methods of ground maneuver tactics.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.15.2014 18:15 |
| Story ID: | 139526 |
| Location: | GRAYLING, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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