Photo By Sgt. Von Marie Donato | First Lt. James R. Duval, executive officer for A company, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry...... read more read more
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MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. – Mission readiness: it is one of the highest priorities for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team here. The brigade trains throughout the year with the anticipation of qualifying thousands of Soldiers to meet annual training requirements and in preparation for future deployments.
The “Bulldog” Brigade is currently participating in their brigade-training exercise, Bulldog Focus, scheduled from Jan. 8 through today. Bulldog Focus will ensure all battalions receive training and certification in their warfighting functions.
Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conducted their company-level Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunnery certification at McGregor Range, Thursday.
“We have been training for nearly 12 months and Bulldog Focus is the culminating event we have been preparing for,” said Capt. Theodore R. Peterson, commander, Company A, 4th Bn., 6th Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st AD. “Mission readiness is our key focus in all of this training.”
In order for the brigade to be certified in all areas of warfighting, they must begin at the lowest level. Now that individual crews and platoons have performed to standard, it is time for the companies to mesh and demonstrate their firepower.
“As our battalions are being certified, the initial phase includes company-level certification. Our company is conducting combined live-fire exercises where we integrate aviation assets, manage indirect fire, maneuver on the battlefield, close on an objective and seize the objective,” Peterson said. “We are utilizing a tank platoon, two mechanized infantry platoons, (an) indirect fire cell, and air-weapons teams, all working simultaneously under the company commander.”
Training in larger components provides the ability to ensure all Soldiers are engaged and “on the same page” in regard to the larger mission.
“Bulldog Focus is a great training opportunity to practice together at the company level,” said 1st Lt. James R. Duval, executive officer, Company A, 4th Bn., 6th Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st AD. “Platoon leaders and platoon sergeants cross talk to each other and it also teaches brevity on the radio to clear up communication for the commander to lead and instruct the platoons.”
Being out in a field environment gives less experienced Soldiers the chance to be acclimated with different environments and get experience with mission-specific training tactics.
“I am a new Soldier right out of basic training, so I am learning a lot,” said Pvt. Christopher D. Buck, an infantryman assigned to Company A, 4th Bn., 6th Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st AD. “We have worked very hard out here but it’s been great training with this team.”
“This training has educated our Soldiers on what fire power and maneuver capabilities the company has to bring against an enemy and seize a specific objective,” Peterson said. “It also gives confidence to our younger Soldiers and Soldiers in different levels of leadership.”
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2016 11:24 |
| Story ID: | 188337 |
| Location: | MCGREGOR RANGE, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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