Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta | YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – U.S. Army Capt. Nichole Rotte, left, commander,...... read more read more
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – Soldiers from Bravo Company, 23rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division demonstrated full defensive capabilities as the opposing force at the Joint Modernization Command’s Joint Warfighting Assessment 19, April 23 to May 9, 2019, and at the same time, challenged and improved their mission essential task list.
JWA 19 is the Army’s premier modernization assessment; weaving material solutions, multi-domain operations, MDO formations, concepts and capabilities at echelon into the Army’s largest multinational, live, virtual and constructive exercise aligned to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of operations. JWA 19’s mission is to provide critical insights and feedback on Army modernization efforts.
To bring real-world experience to the exercise, the Army utilizes existing units as the OPFOR in a controlled training environment.
“The platoon is supporting the (OPFOR played by the) 23rd Infantry Regiment by building the obstacles on the battlefield,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Westley Elward, platoon sergeant, Co. B, 23rd BEB, 1st SBCT, 2nd ID.
Co. B was designated as an OPFOR during the exercise.
“The goal is to create applicable real world scenarios that both teams can learn from,” he added.
Furthermore, U.S. Army Capt. Nichole Rotte, the commander of Co. B, 23rd BEB, 1st SBCT, 2nd ID has been strategizing OPFOR capabilities that will provide challenges to the units participating in JWA19.
Rotte said, she is in charge of synchronizing the engineer actions to reduce the obstacles so that the assault force can move through and seize the objective.
The unit’s mission during this exercise is to test the equipment being utilized to reduce the obstacles during the breach.
Additionally, one of the technologies tested is an autonomous vehicle that is equipped with a smoke generator to degrade visual detection.
The next generation combat vehicle is being used for near and far side security, said Rotte.
“The command vehicle is behind it and out of direct fire from the enemy,” Rotte added.
However, reducing obstacles put in place by the opposition was not easy. The heavy work presented new challenges to the platoon, which required quick and effective adaptability.
“The terrain is really tough on the equipment because the platoon lacks the proper capabilities to penetrate hard ground,” said Elward. “Bigger dozers have been brought out along with two D-7’s, which has improved the ability to penetrate hard ground.”
Although the engineer’s main objective is to serve as the OPFOR, the unit is utilizing this exercise to learn more about their overall abilities and improve upon any inefficiencies.
Rotte said working as the OPFOR has significantly impacted and increased their defense planning proficiency. Being able to train with and employ in the defense fight has been great for achieving the unit’s METL.
“It’s been rewarding to observe how we as engineers adapt and overcome challenges that could easily happen in real world scenarios,” said Elward. “These type of exercises bring Soldiers together and this is where you get to learn about your Soldiers… and build strong bonds.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.10.2019 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 321933 |
| Location: | YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Engineers test their METL by playing OPFOR, by PFC Valentina Montano, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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