Photo By Sgt. Aura Conejos | Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., and the Italian Folgore...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - Network Integration Evaluation 16.1, which began Sept. 25, is unlike any of the previous exercises conducted since its biannual inception/occurrence in 2011. NIE 16.1 is the final proof of concept and will provide realistic training and testing of systems with multinational forces as a precursor to the Army Warfighting Assessment.
AWA is scheduled to replace NIE as the new annual and integrated exercise for testing programs and capabilities among other networks aboard Fort Bliss, Texas, by October 2016.
The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the Italian Folgore Brigade from Vicenza, Italy, conducted an air joint forcible entry to seize the Space Harbor airfield, in order to prevent its occupation by opposing forces, Sept. 27, at White Sands Missile Range.
The unit had a follow-on mission to secure objectives in the area of operations after parachuting in 473 Soldiers from 1,000 feet above-ground-level (AGL). The heavy-equipment load was dropped from 1,200 feet AGL.
Maj. Hildred Matthews, 2/82, who has been jumping for three years was the first to jump and had a member of the Italian unit directly behind him as the number two jumper.
“It shows that we can work with sister and coalition partner services,” said Matthews. “It is a great opportunity to exercise our capability within the whole Army structure as a military force.”
Master Sgt. Todd Winhoven, drop zone safety officer, 82nd Abn. Div., ensured the proper protection and communication for those involved in the mission. Reporting injuries, the status of the personnel on the drop zone and communicating the flight timeline are all responsibilities of this position.
“This exercise works our capabilities for doing long-range drops,” said Winhoven on the unit’s in-flight rig during the 4-1/2 hour flight to the airfield.
An exercise of this magnitude also works the communication piece specific to the 82nd, back to Fort Bragg from the aircraft, added Winhoven.
The majority of 2/82 will be participating for the duration of NIE 16.1, conducting various training missions alongside ally forces in support of the multinational mission and testing.
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2015 18:39 |
| Story ID: | 178278 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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