Division staff defends base in LFX

Photo By Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt | Soldiers of 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion carry a Soldier on a litter to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter as part of medical evacuation training during the battalion’s base defense live-fire exercise April 27, 2017 at Fort Stewart, Ga. The LFX increased readiness across the division staff prior to their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan which is slated for this summer. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt/Released)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

04.27.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt 

3rd Infantry Division

FORT STEWART, Ga. – 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters staff conducted a base defense live-fire exercise April 24 – 28 at Fort Stewart, Georgia in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Rapid fire from a 50-caliber Browning machine gun signaled the troops to leave the forward command post and fire at targets with M4 carbines and other crew-serve automatic weapon systems. Simultaneously, 3rd ID Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Soldiers called for mortar fire from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, and air support from 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID.

As Soldiers assigned to a division headquarters element, much time goes into managing those who fight in 3rd ID, said Lt. Col. Alex Lovasz, DHHB commander. Oftentimes in a deployed environment they work within multiple layers of security, but that does not forego their requirement to maintain the ability to accurately engage and destroy the enemy.

“Yes, we will have outer security provided to us, but you’re never better defended than by yourself,” Lovasz said.

Following the live-fire, a medical evacuation team sprung into action to render care to a notionally-injured Soldier. After identifying and treating his injuries, the team of four carried the Soldier on a litter to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

“A lot of the Soldiers out here have not done anything like that before,” said Capt. Andrew Caley, company commander with DHHB.

Additionally, establishing the forward command post allowed the division’s communications staff to test their systems and processes prior to deploying with the equipment.

“It’s really good practice for our signal Soldiers here on Stewart to be able to establish a network and plug in our [Command Posts of the Future] and information systems,” Caley said.

Approximately 200 3rd ID Soldiers are slated to deploy this summer to replace 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters as U.S. Forces-Afghanistan's National Support Element.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2017
• Date Posted: 05.02.2017 20:55
• Story ID: 232246
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US