Mapping Out Success at VALEX 3-21

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Morford | First Army OC/Ts from the 120th Infantry Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, and the 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade (MFTB), Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, get a briefing during exercise Crimson Dawn 3.0, at Fort Custer, Michigan. Crimson Dawn is a validation exercise for Civil Affairs units with the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade and 415th Civil Affairs Battalion.  

FORT CUSTER, MI, UNITED STATES

03.16.2021

Story by Spc. Tyler Morford 

First Army

Before Soldiers deploy and step off the plane, their skills and capabilities are tested in preparation for their mission; for the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, their readiness hinges on an exercise, a culminating event that is evaluated by First Army observer, coach, and trainers. The unique ability of each Soldier becomes critical to the overall Civil Affairs mission of fostering and building relationships with host-nations and allies. These diverse talents and skillsets increase the unit’s overall effectiveness.

U.S. Army geospatial engineer and analyst, Sgt. Bruce Middleton, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, With the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, Homewood Illinois, examines newly printed maps used to support the Civil Information Management Team (CIM) during the unit’s validation exercise (VALEX) conducted at Fort Custer, Augusta, Michigan, on March 16, 2021. The VALEX, named Crimson Dawn 3.0, will certify the unit’s readiness for their upcoming deployment to support Atlantic Resolve. A unique position within the CIM, the geospatial engineer produces accurate geographical maps and utilizes software to integrate map overlays with specific types of information in order to provide vital data for Civil Affairs operations and command. This data, in the hands of a commander or one of the many individual teams in the operational area, ensures the Soldier achieves better awareness of the environment and the overall multi-operational domain.

The CA Planning Team Chief, Caroline Pogge, led the CA teams through the exercise with the advantage of each Soldier’s unique set of skills. “No matter the rank that you’re working with, I’m always inspired and also in a bit of an awe of the backgrounds and capabilities of our Soldiers, we’ve got folks that have accomplished quite a lot in sometimes short periods of time, and really have quite a large capacity to go over and work, in our case, in very small teams in far areas, and really succeed in those opportunities.”

The VALEX will employ leading First Army observer, coach, and trainers (OC/Ts) from the 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade (MFTB) Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as well as OC/Ts directly from the 308th CA BDE. “As any exercise, it’s always eye opening to see in some cases who your superstars are within the group, and maybe they have been more of a quiet Soldier during their time, with all of the things interacting in their day-to-day, but it’s also one that gives you not just a sense of pride and accomplishment, but also just the reinforcing and assurance that you have the right people in the right place as you get ready to send them overseas.”

• Date Taken: 03.16.2021
• Date Posted: 03.18.2021 09:48
• Story ID: 391673
• Location: FORT CUSTER, MI, US
• Hometown: GRAND RAPIDS, MI, US