First Responders Train During Force Protection Exercise

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Beckstrom | Sgt. Charles Duvall, the senior medic with Battery A, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, helps load patients into an M997 Field Litter Ambulance during a force protection and mass casualty training exercise in Kuwait, March 26, 2016. The training aimed at preparing the Soldiers for potential real-world conflicts. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David N. Beckstrom, 19th Public Affairs Detachment, U.S. Army Central)  

KUWAIT

03.26.2016

Story by Sgt. David Beckstrom 

U.S. Army Central   

Kuwait –U.S. Army Central conducts regular force protection exercises and mass casualty training events that are aimed at maintaining the safety and security of its Servicemembers.
Soldiers with Battery A, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, rehearsed force protection and mass casualty procedures March 25. These drills ensure that the unit can properly secure and treat casualties in a real-world scenario.
“I was part of the attacking force that assaulted the gate and perimeter of the simulated compound,” said Spc. Brian Henneman, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives specialist with Company E, 4-3 ADA. “We were tasked with causing as much chaos as we could to understand how their force protection team would react to the scenario.”
The quick reaction force for Battery A, 4-3 ADA mobilized and engaged the threat immediately after receiving reports of the attack. After they neutralized the threat, they turned to casualty care and ensured the wounded were properly treated and secured to prevent further harm.
“Because my unit has to mobilize at a moment’s notice as a force protection multiplier, it is necessary to be able to maintain constant security,” said Capt. Jessica Perales, commander of Battery A, 4-3 ADA. “I have a quick response team designated within my unit to provide the best security possible.”
The first responders for the exercise bandaged the simulated casualties quickly and transported them to medics for triage and treatment, said Sgt. Charles Duvall, the senior medic with Battery A, 4-3 ADA.
Battery A, 4-3 ADA uses multi-stage training events to train several different areas so Soldiers maintain their proficiency in a wide range of basic warrior tasks and drills.
“Training like this gives our leaders and noncommissioned officers a chance to impart their experiences to the junior Soldiers in the unit,” said 1st Sgt. Luis Reyes, the senior noncommissioned officer for Battery A, 4-3 ADA. “The best way to prepare young Soldiers is to pair them with others that have actually experienced these types of scenarios in real-life. We have several veteran Soldiers within our unit that can help shape these future leaders.”

• Date Taken: 03.26.2016
• Date Posted: 04.02.2016 07:36
• Story ID: 194169
• Location: KW