XCTC displays Total Force concept

CAMP SHELBY, MS, UNITED STATES

07.27.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Tynes 

102d Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Tactical operations began today for more than 4,600 National Guard, Active and Reserve component Soldiers participating with the Mississippi National Guard’s 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team in an Exportable Combat Training Capability exercise here until Aug. 18.

Soldiers conducted area reconnaissance against opposing forces while moving into operational training areas and establishing company level base camps, among other operations. The XCTC focuses on small unit tactics while engaging the Army’s Total Force Policy.

“An XCTC is a brigade field training exercise, which aims to certify platoon proficiency in coordination with First Army. The training exposes Guard Soldiers to combat training center experiences to enhance unit combat readiness,” said Col. Jeffrey Van, commander of the 155th ABCT.

During the exercise, the 155th ABCT will encounter tests on their response to ambushes, company hasty attacks, platoon movement to contact, recon missions, vehicle recovery and much more. The event includes a combined arms live fire featuring M1A2 SEPv2 tanks, M2A3/M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and field artillery with fixed and rotary wing air support.

XCTC exercises allow Soldiers and units to strengthen their individual and collective combat readiness, Van said. They also serve as opportunities to “train as you fight.” All Army components work together toward mission accomplishment in combat environments.

“It has opened the relationship to share techniques, tactics and procedures among the units,” Van said. “The Guard, Reserve and Active have come together as a common element during this exercise.”

Approximately 500 active-duty Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, from Ft. Hood, Texas, leads the Greywolf units participating in the joint XCTC training rotation and includes the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment; 6th Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment; and 3rd Engineer Battalion. The augmenting units bring more than 300 additional Soldiers to Mississippi. These Active duty Soldiers are serving as opposing forces for the 155th ABCT during the exercise.

Other MSARNG units participating in the exercise include elements of the 288th Engineer Company of Houston; 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment of Jackson; 238th Air Support Operations Squadron of Gulfport; 113th Military Police Company of Brandon; 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Operations Group; and the 1108th Aviation Group, headquartered in Gulfport. The Army Reserve’s 377th Quartermaster Company of Macon, Georgia.; 196th Transportation Company of Orlando, Florida; 254th Quartermaster Company of York, Pennsylvania; and the 287th Transportation Company of Livingston, Alabama; as well as the Alabama Army National Guard’s 778th Support Maintenance Company of Jackson, Alabama, are also participating.

The XCTC is the first stage in a three-tier escalating training table to enhance unit’s planning and combat skills from the individual Soldier to brigade level operations.

The XCTC and a trip to Fort Hood, Texas, in 2016 for a Multi-echelon integrated Brigade Training Exercise for company level operations are preparations for the 155th ABCT’s rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in 2017 to focus on battalion level operations. The center will test the unit’s personnel, equipment, and training readiness for possible future defense expeditionary force assigned combat missions.

There are no current plans for the 155th ABCT to deploy overseas, but Dixie Thunder is ready to mobilize for any contingency in Mississippi or overseas.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2015
• Date Posted: 07.27.2015 16:01
• Story ID: 171226
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, MS, US
• Hometown: CAMP SHELBY, MS, US
• Hometown: HATTIESBURG, MS, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, MS, US
• Hometown: JACKSON, MS, US
• Hometown: TUPELO, MS, US