3-116th Armored Regiment trains at Orchard Combat Training Center

Photo By Spc. Dominic Trujillo | Oregon Army National Guard M1A2 Abrams battle tank with Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment, engages a target at a firing range during annual training at the Orchard Combat Tranining Center near Boise, ID, June 19, 2021. Soldiers trained in their military occupational specialties during annual training. (National Guard photo by Spc. Dominic Trujillo, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES

06.24.2021

Story by Spc. Dominic Trujillo 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Boise, Idaho -– 3rd squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment of the Oregon Army National Guard, trained at the Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) for their annual training from June 12-26. Their focus this year was on combat readiness across multiple military occupational specialties. (MOS)

OCTC, located 18 miles south of Boise in the Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, provides world-class firing ranges and logistic facilities to the Army National Guard and Army Reserves since 1953.

The training helped improve the MOS-specific skills for the crewman of the Bradley M2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, mortar teams, dismounted infantry and the crewman of the M1A2 Abrams battle tank.

"We are qualifying for table six, the gunnery crew qualification for our Bradleys," said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Krause, a platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, 3-116. "Table six is one of the 12 annual crew qualifications required for the Bradley."

Table six training for the Bradleys helped Bradley crewmen with specific skills explained Spc. Vasili Walker. "Training at OCTC helps crewmen with timing, targetry and understanding what type of ammo is used for different scenarios."

Teamwork was a key goal across multiple weapons platforms including the mortar fire teams. "Our training here at OCTC is focused on conducting training tables 1-6," said Spc. Ryan Johnson. “This is important because it allows us to maintain proficiency while learning the other positions of the mortar fireteam."

Staff Sgt. Valentine Otero explained that OCTC had certain advantages over other training environments due to the 143,000 acres and four-season availability allowing for a rugged, realistic training environment. “Not only do we have the chance to train in the fundamentals of infantry but we can also focus our training on concealment techniques as there is not a lot of actual covers. This is important because our soldiers are forced to get into the prone position which tremendously helps our infantry skills.”

The field environment and firing ranges were also used for the entirety of the training by the squadron’s M1A2 Abrams battle tanks. "This firing range allows for our yearly qualification," said Staff Sgt. Jamison Short, “qualifying us for close combat enemy engagement and certifies that we are deployable."

"Training at OCTC provides an excellent opportunity for teams and squads to be able to get together and train as a single unit while gaining proficiency in their different MOS's," explained squadron Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Walker, "This is important as it helps build the camaraderie of our soldiers and ensures that we are prepared for any future combat scenario."

• Date Taken: 06.24.2021
• Date Posted: 07.02.2021 12:12
• Story ID: 400311
• Location: BOISE, ID, US