IRONHORSE Soldiers reflect on Combined Resolve XI

Photo By Sgt. Lisa Vines | Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, load and fuel up their tactical vehicles as they prepare to roll out to phase two of Combined Resolve XI at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan. 17, 2019. Combined Resolve exercises Atlantic Resolve rotational units while building readiness and improving interoperability among allies and partners. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Vines, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment,1st ABCT, 1 CD/Released)  

GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

01.18.2019

Story by Sgt. Lisa Vines  

382nd Public Affairs Detachment

Clusters of Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, dart about the motor pool, preparing their Humvees, Paladins, and an array of other vehicles, for their journey to begin phase two of Combined Resolve XI on the austere training grounds beyond Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany.

As Soldiers prepare for the cold field conditionals, they recall how they got here and how much they learned along the way.

“The biggest lesson I learned was to expect the unexpected,” said Spc. Seiviohne Lee, a small arms and artillery repairer assigned to 1-82 FA. “There are a lot of changes on the go.”

New experiences and different environments can also present a challenge.

“Some people hadn’t experienced much snow or driving on ice,” said Lee. “We can always do with more training.”

Not all Soldiers prepare for the mission in the motor pool. Those who work in the tactical operations center are the backbone of many training and real-life scenarios. Whether it’s reviewing safety reports, making plans for future maneuvers, or ensuring communications are operational, they are there to make sure there are no loose ends.

“The immersion provided by the training centers is unmatched,” said U.S. Army Capt. David Ramirez, the intelligence and security officer in charge, assigned to 1-82 FA. “Because we are immersed in training for most of the time, distractions are limited, so teams can come together to accomplish the mission.”

Over 5,500 service members from 16 countries are participating in exercise Combined Resolve XI. The exercise provides rotational units participating in Atlantic Resolve the opportunity to participate in a combat training setting with joint and multinational participants.

• Date Taken: 01.18.2019
• Date Posted: 01.21.2019 10:26
• Story ID: 307480
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE