'Desert Rogues' on the move

Photo By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts | Staff Sgt. Stephen Williams, a platoon sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment assists in installing a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System to his tank Oct. 16, 2015 at Hohenfels, Germany. The MILES draw is in preparation for the battalion’s upcoming Combined Resolve V exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center.  

HOHENFELS, GERMANY

10.17.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

HOHENFELS, Germany – Long days, long nights, and lots of training are what Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment are experiencing in preparation for Combined Resolve V at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany Oct. 6-16.

Lt. Col. James Embry, the commander for 1st Bn., 64th Armd. Regt., explained that while at Fort Stewart they did not have a lot of time to train on collective tasks, rather focusing on individual tasks like rifle marksmanship. Since getting to Germany in early September, the battalion has been able to execute an aggressive training plan focusing on gunnery and collective tasks they were unable to do while at Fort Stewart.

“I think the result is a better quality Soldier and a better quality unit as we prepare for CbR [Combined Resolve],” said Embry.

One thing the battalion dominated in their preparation was tank and Bradley gunnery, making sure they have qualified, lethal crews. To qualify, a crew must pass seven of ten engagements with a minimum score of 700 out of 1,000 points.

“We were fortunate enough to have quite a few distinguished scores, which are above 900,” said Embry. “Our Charlie 24 crew actually qualified with a perfect score of 1000, which is very rare.”

Building off the success of crew gunnery, the tank platoons were able to shoot Tank Table XII, simultaneously engaging targets with all four tanks.

For Staff Sgt. Stephen Williams, a platoon sergeant in Company C, 1st Bn., 64th Armd. Regt., it was the first time his platoon collectively engaged targets and was a great opportunity for a new platoon sergeant.

“Being a first-time platoon sergeant for an E-6 opens up more responsibilities,” said Williams. “I look forward to be able to accomplish the task, learn from what the commander puts out, understand the TACSOP [Tactical Standing Operating Procedures], and be able to perform well.”

With gunnery complete, the Desert Rogues continue to prepare for Combined Resolve by getting their platoons maneuvering through the hilly, heavily forested terrain, where in just a few weeks they will be facing a very determined and capable opposing force.

Embry says he looks forward to seeing how his battalion measures up against the opposing force, fighting them in their own backyard. Though he knows it will be a challenge, it will also be an excellent training opportunity for the battalion. Fortunately, the battalion will also have some help with seven Allied and partnered nations joining the brigade for Combined Resolve.

“It’s good to be at JMRC,” said Embry. “In my opinion it’s one of the best training centers in the world, and it’s good to be here with our Allies and building interoperability.”

• Date Taken: 10.17.2015
• Date Posted: 10.17.2015 10:19
• Story ID: 179194
• Location: HOHENFELS, DE