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ASEM-Indonesia - Lancer Brigade Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. are half-way around the world marching side-by-side with counterparts from the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angatan-Darat (TNI-AD) in order to learn techniques of Jungle survival that have degraded amongst U.S. soldiers over the past 12 years of desert and mountain warfare.
The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, “Lancer Brigade”, is supporting the US Army Pacific Command’s (USARPAC) Pacific Pathways operation by partnering with the TNI for a 20 Kilometer foot march and five day jungle training exercise as part of Exercise Garuda Shield 2014.
The Soldiers, members of “Blackwatch” Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment lined up at 6 a.m. for the nearly 12 1/2-mile patrol, under simulated combat conditions with their counterparts from the TNI 411 Raider Infantry Battalion.
By 8:00 a.m. the temperature had already reached 35oC with humidity percentages in the 90s and the Soldiers from both armies began to feel the heat. Carrying heavy rucksacks, weapons, and radios helped increase the level of realism for the Soldiers.
“I don’t think anyone was quite prepared for just how hot it is”, commented Lt. Col. Mike Trotter, the 2-1 Infantry battalion commander. “It’s good that we have the opportunity to experience this so we’re even better prepared in the future.”
The route took the combined unit along a canal, past homes and farms, and through a small town. This gave the U.S. Soldiers an opportunity to interact with the local populace exchanging greetings and building rapport. Many of the Soldiers would offer greetings in Bahasa, the local language, which prompted smiles and reciprocation from the Indonesians. The march also provided the Indonesians the opportunity to see their TNI Army training side-by-side with Soldiers from the U.S.
The foot march concluded atop a long hill where smiles and relief at having successfully completed the mission, along with bottles of cool water, were shared between the forces.
Capt. Sean Stroh, the company commander for “Blackwatch” Company, 2-1 Infantry was excited about the training. “This is a great opportunity for our team. We can really see what capabilities our team has.”
The company first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Tyler Fosheim echoed Stroh’s sentiments. “It’s amazing training. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
After the group established a patrol base, and set up a security perimeter, U.S. and TNI medical personnel checked the soldiers to tend to any injuries that resulted from the long walk and the intense heat. Then soldiers were instructed to build their sleeping areas and settle in for the night before the training would continue the next day.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2014 22:40 |
| Story ID: | 141751 |
| Location: | ASEM BAGAS, ID |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lancer Soldiers March to Survive the Jungle, by MAJ Daniel Clark, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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