LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Leading troops and making critical decisions are key to a unit's success on the battlefield. Members of the 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment developed these skills when they participated in a simulated battle at the Battle Command Training Center at Fort Leavenworth.
The multi-day scenario involved conducting an air assault to fix the enemy's position before the main attack force arrived at the objective. Lt. Col Kevin Fujimoto, the battalion commander, says his troops can expect to conduct these types of operations in the real world.
"Infantry and armored units are the only types of units that use combined arms during operations," said Fujimoto. "We have elements of aviation, artillery, civil affairs, engineers and intel."
The staff was divided into two areas for the simulation. The group in the tactical operations center received information on battlefield conditions over the radio from troops playing a computer wargame simulation. The staff at the operations center could not see what the warfighters saw on their computer screens, so precise communication was important to the success of the exercise.
"The level of detail for the exercise was excellent," said Ewyn Booth, Team Five Leader of the Battalion Staff Training Team. "The commander wanted to set a foundation for his staff, and I think he accomplished that. We were a little worried at first that the air assault operation might be overwhelming, but everyone did an excellent job. "
The warfighters playing the simulation also had details to keep track of during the exercise.
"Understanding how my firepower changes when troops are engaged is difficult," said 2nd Lt. Thomas Williams, of Company D. "It's something I have to stay on top of. It's important to know where your assets are and their current capability. I'm new to this and it's very exciting."
Williams was not the only new lieutenant participating in the simulation. 2nd Lt. Justin Wise and Williams are both recent graduates of the Infantry Officer Basic Course.
"I'm acting as the executive officer for delta," said Wise. "We are a heavy weapons company, so we can mass a lot of firepower where needed. Keeping my head in the game ensures we can be successful."
Not every officer new to this type of exercise is new to the military.
"I wanted to drill with this unit because they are doing very interesting and exciting things," Capt. Robin Markham. "Even though I'm the only female here, I feel very much a part of this unit. I'm excited where this might lead me in the future."
Female troops cannot lead an infantry company in the field, but positions are open in other areas, including the forward support company.
"This battle staff, along with augmentation from all of our partners who sent attachments to integrate as a member of a combined arms task force, is way ahead of their time," said Fujimoto. "Their performance in planning, synchronizing, and providing command and control over complex, combat operations were easily on par with what more seasoned units were doing during the initial invasion of Iraq."
Anyone interested in serving in the infantry should call the battalion personnel officer at 816-922-5031.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2009 13:07 |
| Story ID: | 39782 |
| Location: | LEAVENWORTH, US |
| Web Views: | 711 |
| Downloads: | 621 |
This work, Missouri National Guard Infantry Trains on Combined Arms Simulation, by Johnathan Lemons, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
