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    87th CSSB conducts field exercise

    87th CSSB conducts field exercise

    Photo By Spc. Jamie Beale | Staff Sgt. Teresa Santos (left) and Spc. Cassidy Kilpatrick (center), both assigned to...... read more read more

    FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

    12.16.2016

    Story by Spc. Jamie Beale 

    3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

    Soldiers assigned to 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade conducted area base defense training at Fort Stewart, Ga. from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9.
    The purpose of the field exercise was to prepare the Soldiers for an upcoming National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif.
    Each company had its own mission essential task list (METL) that allowed it to work on its specific wartime mission, including command and control, fuel transportation and water sanitation, among others.
    “The most important thing in this field problem was to give the companies an opportunity to observe their units’ training in an austere environment so they can plan for future training objectives and achieve future METL tasks,” said Maj. Barry B. Farmer, the executive officer of 87th CSSB.
    Approximately 400 Soldiers participated in the exercise, including some assigned to 188th Infantry Brigade, a Reserve unit located outside Fort Stewart. Those Soldiers were responsible for providing observer/controllers, who oversaw doctrine and assisted with entry control point operation procedures. They also enforced safety during the exercise as they hopped from site to site to include Evans Army Airfield and Canoochee air strip.
    “Safety was our number one priority, which was paramount to our exercise,” Farmer said.
    The opposing force (OPFOR) team consisted of 10 Soldiers from five companies within the battalion. Their job was to play the enemy, which made the exercise more realistic in order to train for a real-world mission by focusing on base defense scenarios.
    Aside from the normal field exercise training, 87th CSSB conducted weapons qualifications at the range. Everyone was able to fire and qualify with their assigned weapons, which ranged from a 9 mm pistol to a .50 caliber machine gun. Tying the range training with the base defense training allowed the battalion to plan for the future in defeating a level one threat, such as enemy infiltration, terrorism or civil disturbances.
    It took the planners about two months to prepare for this exercise. Personnel in charge had to ensure the land, ammunition, training aids and other field planning was coordinated properly. It all paid off, however, as the Soldiers received a visit from the commanding general of 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Brig. Gen. Chris Sharpsten, and were recognized for their hard work.
    Upon their return, the Soldiers began focusing on recovery and restocking their equipment. The transition into the holiday season not only meant a break from the training, but it also gave the Soldiers the opportunity to enjoy a holiday fun run Dec. 16 and a holiday party.
    “It’s a good feeling when you are exhausted, but you have a sense of accomplishment,” Farmer said. “I think the Soldiers had a great time. I can’t wait to do it again.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.16.2016
    Date Posted: 12.16.2016 12:14
    Story ID: 218003
    Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US

    Web Views: 102
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN