Logistics Soldiers prepare for Ironhorse Challenge, NTC

Photo By Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues | (From left) Staff Sgt. Sean Prater, Sgt. Mario Lopez, Pvt. Marcellius Lucus and Sgt. Develera Handy, 115th Brigade Support Battalion “Muleskinners,” 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepare lunch June 10 during “Muleskinner Storm,” a brigade support area exercise conducted from June 8 to 11 at Fort Hood, Texas. (courtesy photo)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

06.23.2015

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Capt. LaShaunda McDaniel
115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers deployed around the world conducting humanitarian missions or engaged in combat need food, water, fuel, construction materials, ammunition, medical supplies, repair parts and many other items day-to-day.

The complex mission of keeping Army units and operations running smoothly falls on logistics units, a no-fail mission. In the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the logistics mission is accomplished by the Soldiers of the 115th Brigade Support Battalion “Muleskinners.”

As the tankers, infantrymen, artillerymen, cavalry scouts and other warfighters of the 1st ABCT brigade prepare for gunneries and major summer exercises, logistics Soldiers are also quietly preparing.

Logistics Soldiers conducted “Muleskinner Storm,” a brigade support area exercise, from June 8 to 11, rehearsing establishing communications, field feeding, convoy operations, providing maintenance, running medical facilities and providing supply assets.

"The brigade support area exercise validates our ability to perform a critical mission and ensures that the brigade will have freedom of action and maneuver during our upcoming Ironhorse Challenge brigade-wide field training exercise in August, and our decisive action rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in October," said Capt. Deedrick Jeffries, operations officer in charge, 115th BSB, and native of Memphis, Tennessee.

The BSB plans, coordinates, synchronizes and executes sustainment operations in support of brigade operations. It distributes classes of supply – everything Soldiers and units need during military operations, including medical support and field maintenance and recovery.

Logistics Soldiers provide sustainment every day, even in garrison, but field exercises are good refreshers for operating in austere environments.

“There is a lot of teamwork that makes being in the field run smoothly,” said Spc. Cornell Dixon, intelligence analyst, 115th BSB, and native of Albany, Georgia.

Additionally, during the exercise, Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 115th BSB, completed radio and weapons familiarization. Soldiers of Company A, 115th BSB, conducted logistic resupply point training and day-and-night driver’s training and mountain land navigation. Soldiers of Co. B led night driver’s training, and Soldiers of Company C conducted medical operations.

“It’s not as easy as going into an area and setting up tents; there’s a lot involved,” said Staff Sgt. Misty Zayas, logistics noncommissioned officer in charge, 115th BSB, and native of Jackson, Tennessee. “It’s practicing the skill sets that should come with the Soldiers, and the capabilities essential of a brigade support battalion.”

• Date Taken: 06.23.2015
• Date Posted: 06.23.2015 11:14
• Story ID: 167769
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US
• Hometown: ALBANY, GA, US
• Hometown: JACKSON, TN, US
• Hometown: MEMPHIS, TN, US