Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Ironhorse Refines CPX Skills at Zagan

    Ironhorse Refines CPX Skills at Zagan

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Craig Norton | U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Aaron Micko, a support operations transportation officer with the...... read more read more

    ZAGAN, Poland – Crawl, walk and run the milestone movements of a human baby after they’re born. Additionally, they are the foundation to the U.S. Army’s training model.

    The crawl phase is when a Soldier or unit moves slowly and methodically through all steps of a task. The next phase, the walk, is when the task is performed at a comfortable pace, with supervision and evaluation from leaders. Finally the run occurs after all of the processes are fine-tuned and the task is evaluated.

    The Soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have repeatedly been going through this model as they’ve conducted training throughout Europe. This has been especially true for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT, 1st CD, Soldiers in Zagan, Poland, Aug. 13-17, 2018.

    The Ironhorse Soldiers have been refining their skills of establishing and operating a tactical command post since their May 2018 arrival in Europe.
    “The CPX (command post exercise) is beneficial. It lays down a foundation for how every section has to integrate to accomplish a common goal,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Kentrell Gazaway, the administrative non-commissioned officer for, 1st ABCT, 1st CD.

    The August exercise was their run phase.

    “The best way to go learn something, and become an expert of it, is go do it by increasing (the number of) repetition,” U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Aaron Micko, a support operations transportation officer assigned to the 1st ABCT, 1st CD.

    The CPX also assist the behind the scene Soldiers of the exercise, the maintenance teams, for the possible mechanical issues that could be critical to the mission accomplishment.

    “A lot of different (mechanical) things happen during these training exercises. They make you think on your feet,” said Spc. Patrick McDanel, a power generator mechanic assigned to Echo Company, 91st Brigade Engineer Battalion. These training exercises may not be life or death, but if you take it in perspective, it could be a life or death mission scenario. It makes you understand the severity of the situation.

    Some Soldier’s experience of the CPX was a huge learning event, which allowed their operational knowledge to grow.

    “A Learning opportunity, (was) exactly what this was. It’s helped me to grow and develop myself and the Soldiers around me. So, I definitely look forward to exercises, like the CPX in the future, because they’re going to give me that same opportunity,” said Micko.

    With every training exercise strengths and weaknesses are exposed! There is always an opportunity to improve and grow.

    “Always room for improvement! The CPX has allowed us to test our systems (and) to test our equipment. It’s allowed new and old leaders to get together to share knowledge, and the junior leaders to be taught, coached and mentored. I think when we move into CbR 11 (Combined Resolve 11), we’ll hit another home run,” said Gazaway.

    The Ironhorse brigade is stationed throughout Eastern Europe conducting training exercises with NATO allies and partners during Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is the U.S. commitment to collective security and enduring peace and stability in the region.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.18.2018
    Date Posted: 08.18.2018 11:36
    Story ID: 289359
    Location: ZAGAN, PL

    Web Views: 339
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN