Cav unit partners with Fort Riley battalion for NTC prep

Photo By Col. Junel Jeffrey-Kim | First Lt. Adam Hill (far left), a Berryville, Ark., native and assistant Fire Support Officer with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team looks at an exercise map with 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment “Black Knights” operations officer Capt. Brad Jones of Houston, and Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Quiñones, 3-66th Armor operations noncommissioned officer and Carolina, Puerto Rico, native, Nov. 20. Both units are training together on Fort Hood in preparation for their April National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Junel Jeffrey, 3rd BCT PAO, 1st Cavalry Division)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

12.02.2014

Story by Maj. Junel Jeffrey-Kim 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – Any number of serious situations can arise during wartime.

Leaders can have mere moments to make a split-second decision.

While impossible to anticipate every possible scenario that could happen while downrange and given more than 11 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, unit leaders have learned that one of the best ways to become proficient at delivering a prompt response during combat is to prepare for the worst prior to deployment.

In line with that school of thought, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division is training in preparation for an April 2015 rotation at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.

The brigade recently took advantage of a unique opportunity to train with units that will accompany it to NTC and invited 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment “Black Knights” from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Fort Hood for a Tactical Operations Center Exercise.

Taking part in his first exercise since joining the Army, 2nd Lt. Clay Alexander said he learned a lot about brigade procedures, communications systems, and what to expect with an increased operational pace.

“Attending exercises such as this increases positive pressure to fully develop and refine operating systems,” said Alexander, a native of Vernon Hills, Illinois, and the 366th Armor security officer. “This is a great opportunity to learn and prepare for NTC with our partner organization and staff.”

According to the Black Knight’s senior enlisted advisor Command Sgt. Maj. Dwayne Uhlig, the opportunity to participate in the 3rd BCT TOCEX came at a great time, as the battalion is in the process of revamping its operations.

“This battalion is starting from scratch under not only a brigade, but a division headquarters forward deployed overseas, said Uhlig. “NCOs and Soldiers know this and have quickly taken ownership of their roles and responsibilities.”

In addition to its habitual battalions and the 3-66AR, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team will also train at the National Training Center with the 3rd Attack Helicopter Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade from Fort Hood.

For more information about the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, visit the 1st Cavalry Division website www.hood.army.mil/1stCavDiv/pages/units/3bct or the Greywolf Facebook page www.facebook.com/3bct.1cd.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2014
• Date Posted: 12.05.2014 15:53
• Story ID: 149546
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US
• Hometown: CAROLINA, PR
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US
• Hometown: SHARON, PA, US
• Hometown: VERNON HILLS, IL, US