3-8 CAV Tests Readiness

Photo By Sgt. Jessica DuVernay | After receiving their activation orders as part of the Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stages their vehicles to simulate a prepared mobilized status.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

07.02.2018

Story by Sgt. Jessica DuVernay 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, TX – 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, recently completed their weeklong exercise where the company demonstrated their ability for a rapid deployment in support of the Army’s Global Reaction Force (GRF) mission.

The Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) is an opportunity to test the battalion’s level of readiness.

“The purpose of the EDRE is it helps us identify critical frictions that may prevent us from rapidly deploying anywhere in the world when the call comes,” said Cpt. Arturo Gonzalez, fire support officer 3-8 Cav, 3ABCT, 1CD. “As we move forward from a COIN environment, our Soldiers need to be ready to fight tonight; at a moment’s notice.”

The GRF is expected to be able to answer any call it receives, with the right amount of personnel, equipment and vehicles. Whether it is moving to a destination thousands of miles away, or here on Fort Hood, the GRF could possibly be the Army’s first line of defense in an emergency situation.

Once receiving the activation notice, the battalion executed mobility operations that simulated the steps required to conduct a real world mobilization, explained Gonzalez. After successfully mobilizing, 3-8 CAV executed both armored and mechanized infantry gunnery tables.

“This portion of the EDRE exercise is important because it is certifying a tank platoon to be able to conduct real world missions,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Krajewski, executive officer, Bravo Company, 3-8 CAV, 3ABCT, 1CD, during a platoon live fire exercise, where the platoon demonstrated their capabilities to perform. “After this they will be ready to deploy, engage and destroy U.S. enemies, in a rapid period of time.”

A benefit of being engaged in an EDRE exercise, is that at an early stage battalions learn what their supporting roles are. For this exercise, 3-8 received support from multiple post agencies to include III Corps and the Logistics Readiness Center, explained Gonzalez.

The exercise validated the unit’s ability to mobilize and deploy at a moment’s notice.

Going forward, Warhorse battalion will continue to train and prepare for upcoming gunnery tables in late July and Company Situational Training Exercises in August.

• Date Taken: 07.02.2018
• Date Posted: 07.03.2018 15:17
• Story ID: 283232
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US