116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion fuels the fight at NTC

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tyler Meister | Medics with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, conduct care on a simulated patient during a training exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 24. This is the first time since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom that the Army National Guard has participated in force-on-force simulated battle exercises at NTC. (Photo by Spc. Tyler Meister, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard/Released)  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

08.24.2015

Story by Sgt. Tyler Meister 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - While the explosions and firefights often garner the most attention, many sustainment elements are necessary behind the scenes to make the training all possible. Multiple National Guard units augmented the ranks of the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB), 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (CBCT), Idaho Army National Guard, during a rotation at the Army’s notorious National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, August 14-25, 2015, to ensure Soldiers in the Command Post and its supporting units were well sustained.

Sustainment plays a crucial role in any military operation, but none is more ready for the task than the 116th BSTB. The BSTB’s value was tested in great lengths at NTC.

Meals. Empty stomachs don’t win wars, nor do they allow for successful training. Soldiers may be the fuel to a fight; however, those Soldiers need fuel themselves to have the energy to keep fighting. During NTC, the BSTB was responsible for feeding troops.

Hawaii Army National Guard Spc. Dane Eguichi, a food service specialist with 1109th Theatre Aviation Support Maintenance Group (TASMG) out of Pearl City, Hawaii, said their team of Army cooks served about 400 Soldiers each day.

“NTC has been a great experience and a challenge, as more tasks are thrown at us,” Eguichi said. “No matter the hurdles, we are able to pull through as a team, thanks to our noncommissioned officer mentors.”

Eguichi said he was grateful for the opportunity to work with Soldiers from other states and he learned a lot at NTC.

Wheels. In addition to feeding troops, the BSTB was responsible for getting Soldiers down the road. From maintenance to fuel, Soldiers like Staff Sgt. Dennis Hansen, a petroleum supply specialist with the BSTB, ensured all the armored vehicles of the 116th CBCT were in top shape for combat training.

“We supply about 1,500 gallons of fuel each day here at NTC,” said Hansen. “Our team has worked extensive hours to ensure our forces never run out of fuel and can perform their jobs.”

Hansen explained that NTC has been extremely difficult but a great learning experience, as everyone worked together to accomplish the mission. He feels NTC has provided great night-driving training that he would not have been able to get elsewhere.

While feeding troops and maintaining vehicles is a primary job for the BSTB, security is every Soldier’s job. Idaho Army National Guard Sgt, 1st Class Renae Gonzalez, a support platoon sergeant with the BSTB, provided shifts of troops around the clock to support security along the perimeter of their tactical assembly area during training.

“This exercise has been fast-paced and exciting,” said Gonzalez. “NTC has enabled multiple states and units to join efforts and share knowledge as we train and accomplish our mission here.”

Gonzalez said this exchange of knowledge was a crucial factor in their success during NTC, and if each Soldier took advantage or their training and did their best, they would improve as Soldiers and as a unit.

Heals. To provide realistic training, troops conducted simulated battle that included simulated casualties. A vital aspect of the BSTB is rapid and intelligent care for wounded Soldiers with the mission of saving lives and getting those who can still fight, back to the front lines.

Idaho Army National Guard Lt. Col. Heidi Munro, an air medical physician assistant (PA) with the Idaho National Guard State Medical Detachment, supervised 116th CBCT medics during medical training. She said for three years they had functioned without an assigned PA and their performance at NTC was exceptional. Munro said the clinic examined and treated approximately 40 patients each day during the two-week training exercise.

“This team of medics has been mostly self-taught and their knowledge is impressive, Munro said. “They were the first and only team to have a fully functional aid station in the preparation area.”

Munro stated that NTC is the ultimate realistic training environment and this opportunity provided some of the best training she has seen.

Gonzalez said the BSTB is unique and affective due to the combined efforts of each sustainment element.

“We have everything from cooks to infantry elements and everything in between,” said Gonzalez. “The opportunity to come here and participate in this training has been a privilege and you can’t get this training anywhere else.”

• Date Taken: 08.24.2015
• Date Posted: 09.12.2015 17:58
• Story ID: 175862
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US