Training Lane Challenges Unit’s Ability to Handle Public, Explosives

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

05.03.2017

Story by Sgt. Elizabeth Raney 

343rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

“The first lane was kind of a meet and greet," said U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Wayne Bolen, a bridge engineer with the 401st Engineer Co. out of Enid, Oklahoma. “We were supposed to go patrol the local area, get to know the locals, interact with them, see if they need any kind of support. We were familiarizing ourselves with the area.”
As the scenario progressed, Bolen and his troops spoke more in depth with the civilian role players to gain greater understanding of the situation.
"We got to meet with the elder. You could tell they knew something was going on," Bolen said. "We finally found out their water well had been poisoned a few days prior …then the military came through, supposedly, and killed all of their livestock. We said we’d exchange them some food and water for some information… and opened up that rapport with them.
“We proceeded through the lane to the bridge overpass," he said. "There was an improvised explosive device that we spotted right away. We also had small arms fire, which we reacted to. We went through and cleared that. It was really good training, very realistic.”
Ultimately, the 401st were able to complete the exercise to standard.
“My guys did excellent," he stated. "I had one squad on the right hand side of the lane move up and provide cover fire. The element on the left side went through and cleared the buildings. We got explosive ordnance disposal out there and they cleared the IED for us."
According to Bolen, the units proceeded through the further stages of the lane with similar success until the last stop.
"We got tore up," he explained. "We didn’t have a big enough element to do a proper assault. I think we took three casualties on that one before we were done. That one was hard because it was set up specifically as an ambush to overwhelm and destroy your element."
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Graham, a combat engineer assigned to the Active Component/Reserve Component of the 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade, served as an Observer, Coach/Trainer for the 401st Multi-Role Bridge Company during their WAREX rotation. In his opinion, recurring unit training requirements can eliminate a unit’s ability to execute the training needed to stay mission-ready.
"Training like this gets lost. What happens is they resort to a lot of experience from the past. Sometimes the past is ten years ago, so we bring it back to the doctrine. We give them that baseline. Give them that baseline and they can grow from there. It’s really important."
Bolen and his troops left the event with an appreciation for the importance of the mission and an improved awareness of the capabilities of the unit.
"As engineers, we’re going to be out there, especially as a bridge unit. When infantry, artillery, or anyone comes across a gap they have to cross, we have to be up there at the front to facilitate that,” Bolen said. “We learned our deficiencies and weaknesses and I also got to see an area that my guys really excel in. It was a great experience overall."

• Date Taken: 05.03.2017
• Date Posted: 05.08.2017 10:02
• Story ID: 232998
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US