Photo By Maj. Carson Petry | An opposing force (OPFOR) tank from 1-9 Cav, 2BCT, 1CD, maneuvers across the...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Tx.- The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division deployed to the ranges on Fort Hood to test its mettle during the external evaluation exercise known as Pegasus Forge IV Jan. 21 to Feb 2.
With an expeditionary mindset, the Black Jack brigade put its war-fighting functions to the test against the Donovian military, a fictional adversary whose aggression against the Republic of Atropia threatened the international boundary, the rule of law, and security of the Atropian people.
“I think Pegasus Forge IV gives us that realistic environment to operate in and puts the necessary pressure at echelon to get us to perform at a higher level,” said Col. Jeremy Wilson, commander, 2ABCT.
Imitating warfare’s often harsh conditions, the brigade’s mission command node is condensed, mobile, and operates without the high-tech gadgetry that tactical operations centers have been accustomed to in built-up bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Map overlays pinned on cork boards, a modest projector, and several whiteboards comprised the analog systems for operations. Only mission critical personnel fit within the confines of a small clam-shell tent and crosstalk amongst staff sections created a shared understanding of significant activities which offered the commander instant data to make decisions.
The modest mission command facility aligns with the future of combat operations in an austere environment.
“Wars in the future are unlikely to include the comfort and stability of operating out of well-equipped bases, said Gen. Mark A. Milley, Army Chief of Staff. “Life will almost certainly be extremely austere. Learning to be comfortable without being seriously miserable every single minute of every day will have to become a way of life for an Army on the battlefield that I see coming.”
To prepare for the realities of this future battlefield, Pegasus Forge IV validated the war-fighting functions of the brigade and subordinate battalions under the pressure of a hostile enemy willing to confront U.S. forces in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) environment.
With inclusion of opposing forces (OPFOR) in the exercise, the brigade was tested at every echelon.
“We’re building lethality from the crew through the platoon, company, battalion and now the brigade level, said Wilson. “Following the completion of this exercise, the brigade will move to Ft. Irwin CA to face a world-class opposing force (OPFOR) in preparation for follow-on operations. Really what it comes down to is building the capacity to deploy, fight and win worldwide at a moment’s notice.”
How does a brigade close with and destroy the enemy working across all warfighting functions at echelon with a minimal footprint?
“Intel drives the operations process is the adage,” said Lt. Col Derek Baird, commander, 3-16 Field Artillery Regiment. “It only works if it’s resourced, planned, and synchronized across all warfighting functions during operations from the close to the deep fight.”
Intelligence proved decisive in the eventual defeat of Donovian forces. It was the collective efforts of each warfighting function and a steady stream of actionable intelligence that resulted in a 70% attrition of enemy troops within five days of hostile action.
According to Gen. Milley, future warfare requires a new breed of leader. "Milley used the term “disciplined disobedience to achieve a higher purpose.” Leaders of the future will understand intent and will use judgement instead of dogma to accomplish the mission. Often, that means operating in an unorthodox manner.
Maj. Ashley Welte, brigade intelligence officer, understands the expeditionary mindset having been emplaced within teams in a combat environment during her 13-year career. She also understands her mission: find the enemy at any cost.
The exercise was a chance to assess her teams’ capabilities, provide U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) valuable training guidance for intelligence analysts on assignment to a brigade combat team (BCT), and provide timely and accurate intelligence to the commander.
“I take intel a little differently than a lot of my peers,” said Welte. “Yes, it's doctrinal, but it’s also the personality of the enemy’s leader.”
It’s often said history repeats because human behavior does not change.
“I understood his background, which schools he went to, and did assessments on which units he’s belonged to, said Welte.”
Understanding his behavioral tendencies proved to be a predictor of future actions. Welte not only studied the commander but she also studied those around him. By assuming the personalities of the opposing forces leaders, her team accurately predicted the Donovian force’s course of action given the terrain.
“When we’re looking at our assessments, we utilize different types of intelligence to confirm and verify that those locations are correct and ensure we have 10-digit grids and layering the different intelligence assets in order to get that find and fix on the enemy,” said Mr. Zachary Anderson, 350F, all source intelligence technician.
With a 85% success rate, it was valuable intelligence, coordinated and synchronized across all warfighting functions, which led to the brigade’s success during the validation exercise.
Wilson said units rarely train at the brigade level. With Black Jack’s current operational tempo and all the administrative requirements, executing a brigade level event brings the year’s individual and collective training together. It’s typically brigades who deploy to combatant commands (COCOM) in support of future operations which makes Pegasus Forge IV an essential marker for success.
“We train as a team, we fight as a team, we win as a team,” said Wilson.
The brigade deploys to the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, CA to certify as a brigade in the spring.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2019 13:47 |
| Story ID: | 309423 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Black jack validates readiness during Pegasus Forge IV, by MAJ Carson Petry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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