Raider Reader Simulation Exercise Wraps at Grafenwoehr

GRAFENWOEHR, BY, GERMANY

05.03.2022

Story by Pfc. Jesus Menchaca 

7th Army Training Command

CAMP AACHEN--Operation Raider Ready is a command post exercise that trains command and control for all the battalion command teams within the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Upon arrival to Grafenwoehr, 1ABCT drew over 12, 000 pieces of Army Prepositioned Stock 2 valued at $3.6 billion. Brigade staff executed Raider Ready as units worked through drawing the equipment, conducting live-fire exercises and ensuring they were qualified on the equipment.

“Mission Training Complex-Grafenwoehr falls under the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s as the spoke in a wheel, and JMSC as the hub,” said Cpt. Timothy Blydenburgh, the Raider Ready Government Lead Exercise Planner at JMSC. “The role taken by JMSC was providing resources to further plan the exercise and was a dual planning effort to ensure they met their training objectives put out by higher headquarters.”

JMSC built the exercise and scenario through multiple briefs and meetings with key leaders and staff. They took the role of the control element in the exercise and provided oversight for the entire training event.
Raider Ready was not on anyone’s training calendar until March, when 1ABCT deployed to Europe as part of the 18th Airborne Corp’s Immediate Response Force to support NATO Allies and deter Russian aggression towards our NATO Allies.

“This exercise is foundational to Raider Brigade's ability to fight as an Armored Brigade Combat Team,” said Maj. William Folinusz, the 1st ABCT, 3rd ID Executive Officer. “It will train and synchronize the capability of the organization to conduct command and control across all Warfighting Functions.”

The exercise and simulations were tailored to fit 1ABCT’s in-theater chain of command, supporting the deployed 1st Infantry Division headquarters and V Corps. During Raider Ready, the brigade developed and issued orders to its battalions, which subordinate units then executed in a command-post exercise that tested and trained their mission command information systems.

“The significance of the exercise is that it allows the Brigade Commander to get an overview of exactly where his battalions stand operationally and allows them to estimate their level of mission readiness and test their level of critical thinking in battle,” said Blydenburgh.

The live and virtual exercises prepare the brigade not only for contingency operations in Europe, but also for their upcoming rotation to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s Hohenfels Training Area for Exercise Combined Resolve in May, where they will work with NATO Allies and partners in a Combat Training Center rotation to refine their training and strengthen their interoperability.

(Story by SPC Jesus Menchaca)

• Date Taken: 05.03.2022
• Date Posted: 05.13.2022 07:48
• Story ID: 419827
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BY, DE