Training The Digital War Fighter

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

04.26.2019

Story by Sgt. James Geelen 

4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

FORT HOOD, TEXAS. – Train like you fight, and fight like you train. The Army has used that saying for decades to drive home the point to Soldiers the need for being ready to go to war all the time. They have to be ready. They don't know where they’re going next, but they know they have to be ready at a moment's notice to answer the call. To that end, the Army conducts periodic Warfighter Exercises.
Warfighter, is a two-week command and control exercise to test and evaluate a headquarters reaction, and methods of battle pertaining to its management and execution abilities, through a virtual battlefield. These joint exercises improve information flow and processes between higher commands and subordinate units.
“We participated in multiple brigade level staff exercises leading up to this event to ensure the team was aware of the mission and was prepared to anticipate support requirements to ensure mission success,” said Cpt. Emily E. Chapman, assistant operations officer for 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “Not only are we exercising all of our communications systems, but this is the most realistic way to stress the logistics planning capabilities due to the size of the mission we’re supporting.”
The warfighter exercise provides real interactions with professional role players including local civilian leaders, humanitarian relief groups, media reporters and even criminal organizations, all meeting with and challenging a unit’s leadership and staff.
“Warfighter is the exercise focused on the complex battle that may take place between U.S./Coalition Forces and the enemy,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Justin M. Lawler, geospatial engineer for 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “The training is meant to provide the commander with the combat abilities from all staff sections, and show the parent units that we are ready to engage and destroy the enemy.”
This warfighter exercise is the premiere culminating event for this training year for the brigade staff.
“The exercise is great training that gets us out of the normal garrison work environment and aids in the training of Soldiers on their primary duties and battle tasks,” Lawler said. “I’m doing battle tracking, enemy equipment research and system capabilities, plus I make sure that communications are setup with the parent units.”
During the current Warfighter exercise, 4th Sustainment Brigade is overseeing sustainment and replenishment operation in the III Corps area of responsibility against a notional foreign enemy.
“4th Sustainment Brigade will be controlling five other combat sustainment support battalions,” Chapman said. “The exercise will assess our brigades’ ability to manage, direct and synchronize logistics support across multiple divisions aimed to train and improve operational readiness, warfighting functions, and effectiveness across the brigade staff.”
Chapman has been patiently waiting for the opportunity to participate in a warfighter exercise.
“I’ve never had the chance to participate in a warfighter before in my short but exciting, 9- year career,” Chapman said. “It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to since arriving in the unit almost a year ago. I’m very thankful to be a part of this unique learning experience.”



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• Date Taken: 04.26.2019
• Date Posted: 04.29.2019 16:18
• Story ID: 319962
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: MANSFIELD, PA, US