Photo By Spc. Michael Germundson | Oregon Army National Guard infantrymen, Pfc. Antony Kilbourne and Pvt. Scott Lazott,...... read more read more
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Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team traveled to the Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Washington for a comprehensive weekend of training, April 12-15, 2018. The extended drill period was a chance for Guardsmen to travel out of state and train in a larger location to support the myriad of units and their equipment.
Individual companies began arriving throughout Thursday, April 12, establishing campsites while pitching tents among the dense sage brush and prairie grass in their field locations. With large cloud formations and the threat of rain greeting the Soldiers, the early spring weather conditions added extra challenges to the training. The wind made mild conditions frigid enough for Soldiers to use their cold weather gear, and well-maintained generators were needed to fuel heaters in the field. Some Soldiers lucked out and found housing in the barracks, providing a chance to interact and train with other service members into the night.
The YTC’s impact area is surrounded by a combination of sage brush and rolling hills, with wide-open spaces and little interference to block the wind. Many of the weapon systems used during this drill period required expanded space and distances, as the YTC ranges provided the extra uncluttered areas needed to conduct training outside of Oregon.
“The wind is a challenge, it affects the ballistics”, said Pvt. Damien Tieke, an infantryman with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment. “It’s an environmental challenge; the wind and trying to sleep are rough.”
The Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) is a recently issued, vehicle-mounted system that requires a long range for firing the chosen mounted weapon. During the weekend, the system was put the test by many of the Soldiers from 2-162nd Infantry Battalion.
“We’re here at Yakima [Training Center] to boresight and shoot our .50 cal. mounted to the CROWS system,” said Jason Hester, from Hillsboro, Oregon, a truck commander with Company D Co, 2-162nd Inf. Bn. “The CROWS system keeps the gunner inside the truck (while firing) it’s good for their safety.”
The most authentic training ensues when a service member with real-world experience is able to connect to a training audience while visually relating proper techniques. Flying in for the class on casualty evacuation, Oregon Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Patrick Casha, a flight engineer with Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation medevac unit, led an hour long talk on the capabilities of the HH-60M Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter. Recently demobilized from a four-country tour overseas, Casha taught seasoned medics, as well as new Soldiers in the medical field, proper techniques and practices when caring for and preparing a patient for medevac.
The YTC’s rotor wing helipad was an ideal location for the training taught by Casha, as the site sustained 25 medics and support staff with Company C, 141st Brigade Support Battalion.
“This training teaches the medics a timeline, how to get a patient to the next level of care,” said Master Sgt. Matt Crowley, the Operations Non-commissioned officer for the 141st Brigade Support Battalion.
The initial phase of training had members from Company C, secure a casualty on a stretcher before a team of four could carry off the simulated patient across the field and load them into a waiting Black Hawk. The training became essential when the final phase involved loading a patient while the Blackhawk rotors spun overhead.
“This training is important because it could be your battle buddy you’re saving,” said Spc. Erobong Archbong, a medical supply specialist with Company C, 141st Brigade Support Battalion.
“We’re training for a real-life situation. We train now in a controlled environment so it becomes muscle memory in a real life situation,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Desert, medical service officer.
Deep into Yakima Training Center’s impact area was a group of infantry mortar men that were able to use their training on the expansive range to fire 60mm mortars into the air before hitting their target.
“This is a good opportunity,” said Sgt. Trinidy Scott, a squad leader with A Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, “The firing was good and I had five different missions to calculate while working with forward observers; each mission meant relocating and recalculating.”
According to Spc. Eric Crawford, the newest member of A Company, 1-186th Inf. Bn., the drill weekend provided an excellent training environment.
“We set up as quick as possible and waited for a fire mission,” said Crawford. “Speed is important, but accurate information is the most important; you could be off by a few millimeters and put troops in danger.”
Experienced and junior Soldiers alike were able to test their bivouac skills, basic Soldier skills and test their weapon accuracy while preparing for longer training opportunities coming up next summer.
As he summarized the long weekend of training at the YTC location, Spc. Daniel Andersen, an infantryman with Company C, 1-186th Inf. Bn., reflected on the conditions and overall conclusions.
“It’s cold and miserable, but when we shoot, then go home, I miss it; the training, the comraderie and hanging out with the guys are all highlights of a drill weekend.”
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2018 14:52 |
| Story ID: | 274522 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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