Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely | Lt. Col. Dennis Brickett (center), operations officer, 196th Maneuver Enhancement...... read more read more
The Warfighter Exercise 16-05 features a wide array of units, all with different capabilities, working to synchronize their war fighting readiness.
Among them, the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the South Dakota Army National Guard.
According to Sgt. Maj. Todd Mettler, operations sergeant major for the 196th MEB, the MEB is multifunctional.
“The mission of the MEB is to hold land and command and control many different types of battalions,” said Metter. “We can command and control any subordinate type of unit that needs to be in the
division rear area.”
As a part of its wartime mission, the MEB enables, enhances and protects operational and tactical freedom of action for a supported maneuver force. The unit commands and controls the forces necessary to conduct security and functional operations in a designated area of responsibility. This includes force protection, battle space awareness and focused logistics.
“The importance of our mission to the overall fight is to ensure that our forward fighting elements have a division rear that’s safe,” said Mettler. “They can get convoys from the division rear into the fighting areas and resupply and maintain their critical statuses to keep going with the battle.
“We’re a very tailorable force to deal with a lot of different types of events.”
One of four major commands in the South Dakota Army National Guard, the MEB was activated in 2008 and has since deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to Mettler, their participation in WFX 16-05 has been valuable.
“This is the first time we’ve done this level exercise in a matter of years,” said Mettler. “This is the first time we’ve truly done what we consider a MEB mission under a division and it’s been an awesome learning experience.
“It’s been work, work, work and we enjoy that. We’re learning a lot.”
To meet its homeland defense and state mission requirements, the MEB also serves as command and control for Task Force 196, and supports civil authorities in emergency and disaster response.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2016 12:58 |
| Story ID: | 200756 |
| Location: | LEAVENWORTH, KS, US |
| Hometown: | SIOUX FALLS, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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