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    Oregon infantry unit builds proficiency, teamwork at annual training

    OR Infantrymen conduct react to contact, hostage rescue training

    Photo By Spc. Dominic Trujillo | Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st...... read more read more

    SALEM, OR, UNITED STATES

    08.25.2020

    Story by Spc. Dominic Trujillo 

    115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    WARRENTON, Ore. - The Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry Regiment, headquartered out of Springfield, Ore., took their annual training in a different direction than normal this year.

    The training kicked-off on Aug. 15 at Camp Rilea, near Warrenton, Ore., with typical tasks such as the new Army Combat Fitness Test, testing proficiency with their M4 carbines in both day and night conditions, and an M240B familiarization fire exercise.

    “The familiarization fire with the M240B is a very important exercise,” said Sgt. Christian Woodman, with Charlie Company. “It is one of the most important weapons platforms for light infantry so it is critical that everyone is at least familiar with it.”

    Soldiers then participated in a stress shoot exercise followed by basic land navigation. This training was designed to help Soldiers with their individual skills as well as the squad level to achieve future mission objectives.

    It was after these tasks, however, that the training took a different direction by incorporating water, a feature not normally used in annual training.

    Soldiers used teamwork to set up a rope bridge that challenged Soldiers both physically and mentally. The company leaned on the experience of its non-commissioned officers to engage and help Soldiers with less experience become more familiar and confident with these challenges.

    “These real-world-like scenarios are an important part of our training,” said Sgt. Bradley Heilman, with Alpha Company. “It really helps us as Soldiers prepare at a high level for future combat operations.”

    The battalion’s annual training culminated with Soldiers using F470 Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts and advancing to a known location where they would engage with oppositional forces to rescue a mock-hostage. During the exercise, Soldiers used what is known as the ultimate training munitions (UTM) rounds. UTM rounds are munitions that fire non-lethal projectiles for simulated combat training.

    “This style of training helps our Soldiers prepare for the unexpected,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Brown, with Charlie Company. “This is important because it takes our Soldiers out of their comfort zone and teaches them to perform under pressure.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.25.2020
    Date Posted: 11.14.2020 13:04
    Story ID: 382593
    Location: SALEM, OR, US
    Hometown: SALEM, OR, US

    Web Views: 47
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN