Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tamika Dillard | Sgt. Jacob Butcher, a squad leader for Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry...... read more read more
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FORT RILEY, Kan. - During the month of September, more than 50 Soldiers from different units and military occupational specialties throughout the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, enhanced their capabilities to combat radio controlled explosive devices at the post’s Tactical Support Center.
The Counter Radio-Controlled IED Electronic Warfare Specialist Certification, or CREW, training course prepares students to fight the war against radio controlled improvised explosive devices, said Staff Sgt. Thomas Connolly, the electronic warfare noncommissioned officer for 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div.
“The course gives Soldiers the knowledge and the skills to be a functional CREW company specialist,” the Kentucky native added. “These Soldiers will go on to be the CREW systems subject matter experts for their company commanders.”
The Soldiers trained on the three main systems they will use for their upcoming deployments throughout the Southeast Asia region. The 40-hour course covered training on the DUKE V3, THOR III and BALDR systems.
“This course has enhanced my capabilities as an infantryman,” said Sgt. Jacob Butler, a squad leader for Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. “I feel that although I am a squad leader, there is more that I could do so I requested this course.”
“I will take the knowledge and training received from this course to ensure that all systems are working properly before, during and after mission.” “If the systems were to go down, I will be about to troubleshoot it and put the company back into the fight … avoiding being potentially hit by an improvised explosive device.”
Connolly added that being able to train these Soldiers and get them certified ensures ensured the CREW systems within the companies were up-to-date and ready to go rather than having to wait 30 days or more for an electronic warfare Soldiers.
“This training saves the unit money in the long run,” Connolly said. “The units will not have to worry about spending money to have a EWO person flown out to their location neither will they need to worry about halting missions. Having a trained CREW specialist keeps them consistently in the fight.”
Butcher, a Springfield, Missouri, native took full advantage of the training.
“I have stepped up for my company to be responsible for ensuring the safety of every Soldier within the company that steps foot outside of the wire while we are deployed,” Butcher said. “This is my contribution to the fight.”
Connolly encouraged the students to treat their systems like they treat their weapons.
“Treat your systems like you do your Weapon. “Your DUKE is your weapon, your firmware is your magazine and your threat load is your ammo,” Connolly said. “Don’t leave home without it.”
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2015 12:38 |
| Story ID: | 179765 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Hometown: | SPRINGFIELD, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 424 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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