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This spring, the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) heads to the Balkans and Greece to support Immediate Response 2025, or IR-25. Select units will join a multinational coalition for simulated combat operations and training validation in line with the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command, or USAREUR-AF, campaign plan.
“This exercise will test our ability to work within a larger, multinational coalition and execute an extremely complex mission,” said Col. Frank Tantillo, commander of the 86th IBCT (MTN) about the exercise which will sharpen the tactical proficiency of his companies, batteries, and troops.
IR-25 is a U.S. Army, large-scale exercise enhancing cyber and CBRNE defense capabilities, NATO integration through state partnership readiness programs and multinational exercises to equip NATO’s regional plans and uphold U.S. commitments to the alliance. IR-25 features multinational live fires conducted with NATO networks, a cyber exercise, water crossing, and CBRNE exercises. Approximately 12,000 participants will converge in eight countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovakia.
Planning for IR-25 encompassed pre-deployment activities such as conferences, work sessions, site visits, and submission of requisition packets. The phase continued with plans for vehicle and equipment preparations and Soldier training to meet required proficiency levels across the brigade.
“Initial discussions with the USAREUR-AF, U.S. European Command, and the U.S. Embassies in North Macedonia and Greece, began as early as November, 2022,” said Maj. Gene Enriquez, director, State Partnership Program Vermont (SPP) – North Macedonia, Senegal, and Austria. Since then, SPP has played an advisory role assisting with financing pre-deployment site visits and off-cycle meetings.
In anticipation of IR-25, the 86th IBCT (MTN) participated in a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise, or CALFEX, during annual training 2024 at Fort Drum, New York, which tested the brigade’s abilities. Austrian and North Macedonian service members participated in that CALFEX via the SPP adding a multinational component.
In the lead up to IR-25, the brigade’s administrative experts organized Soldier pay and orders. Medical staff ensured Soldiers received vaccinations and routine health checks ahead of departure. Intelligence sustainment training plus operational security, personnel recovery, and many other briefings were delivered to those requiring the information. Brigade headquarters revisited the Military Decision-Making Process, or MDMP, which drives the production of mission orders.
Capt. Andrew Solari, commander, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN), said, “Our ability to facilitate execution of the MDMP dictates the success of the rest of the brigade.” In a company newsletter, he adds that the skills are relevant now more than ever considering current events around the world.
The brigade’s drill weekends bustle with training and relevant, pre-deployment activities. Special Skills Training, or SST, conducted at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Vermont this January illustrates the point. The consolidated training gives Soldiers the chance to focus on specialized tasks and battle drills related to their occupational specialties.
Vehicle Crew Evaluator, or VCE, training prepares Soldiers to evaluate gunnery crews during mounted operations. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Cobb, Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment (Mountain), says, “We’re training on how to increase the direct-fire proficiency and lethal effectiveness of our gunnery crews.” In one lane, Soldiers listen to audio recordings and critique the gunnery commands and weapons fire. In another lane, Soldiers engage a simulator that replicates a gun truck mission.
The brigade’s mortar platoon conducts Gunnery Skills Exams and Fire Direction Center training during the SST weekend. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Noah Nelson, mortar section sergeant, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment (Mountain), oversees a target plotting session. He says, “This makes us ready to fire mortars with data for our guns, exact locations, and coordinates to targets.” Another team of the mortar platoon practices installation and proper targeting of the weapon systems.
Ensuring field mobility, the brigade’s 92 Golf Food Service Specialists practice transporting an assault kitchen trailer during the SST weekend. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Jones, Golf Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, describes the system as, “A containerized kitchen that feeds about 250 Soldiers on the go.” Soldiers take turns hitching trailers to vehicles and driving around.
The brigade directs special focus on the 25 Series Soldiers who operate communication systems. Teams practice the transport, installation, and use of equipment over many iterations. U.S. Army Maj. John Helme, brigade S-6, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN), acknowledges plans to employ a variety of systems to meet IR-25 requirements. He says the training supports readiness in that, “Soldiers will be able to establish the brigade’s communication plan for any event but specifically for IR-25.”
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Dube of the S-6 pointedly cautions, “If you don’t know where your friendlies are, there’s the real possibility of delays in the operations process.” To this point, the S-6 designed field-ready manuals for operating the Joint Battle Command-Platform and Mounted Mission Command-Software which the U.S. Army commonly uses.
Pre-deployment team building through physical readiness and mountain mobility training strengthens bonds among Soldiers through common experience. Winter activities of 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), along these lines include alpine skiing, search and rescue training, cold weather camping and survival techniques. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Dan Westover, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN), insists that the Mediterranean climate is better endured by Soldiers in good physical condition, “The only way to make hot and humid worse, is to be out of shape.” An Army Physical Fitness Test, scheduled for April, provides additional motivation for his troops to optimize personal health and stamina.
Sustainment training, conducted by the brigade’s engineers, ensures readiness to clear routes in mountainous terrain. U.S Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Jarvis, Alpha Company, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, explains what keeps his team sharp, “They’re going to rappel, set rally points, conduct reconnaissance, breach wire obstructions, and use shotgun blasts to get inside buildings.” Beyond this, the 572nd BEB trains regularly to shape the physical environment in which the brigade operates.
Brigade Chaplains, Public Affairs Office, and Staff Judge Advocate sections also prepare for the departure of troops to IR-25 Chaplains Annual Sustainment training, or CAST, held at Camp Johnson, focuses on religious support during large-scale combat operations. The brigade’s Public Affairs Office, or PAO, assembles media products for distribution by the Vermont State PAO and Garrison Support Command’s 172nd Public Affairs Detachment. The Staff Judge Advocate, or SJA, provides ongoing support which helps the brigade commander maintain combat-ready forces, discipline, and readiness.
Prior to departure, vehicles and equipment receive deep cleaning before transport to IR-25. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Pelton, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN) runs agricultural wash, or AGWASH, operations at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont. He says, “We’re looking for any organic matter and dirt that could potentially carry animal-borne viruses that wipe out livestock.” In terms of results, Pelton adds, “It’s almost like getting these vehicles back into showroom quality.” Hired contractors will handle AGWASH operations for the return trip from Europe.
Straddling May and June 2025, the exercise will coordinate about 12,000 multinational participants for simulated combat exercises across the Balkans and eastern Europe. As departure for Immediate Response 2025 approaches, the 86th IBCT (MTN) strives to ensure its Soldiers are equipped, trained, and ready to go.
Deployment begins with the first shipment of equipment overseas and continues with the arrival of personnel and the draw of Army Prepositioned Stock.Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Giles, mobility warrant officer, Headquarters, Headquarters, Company, 86th IBCT (MTN) says, “Every movement is different with varying limitations and constraints that impact execution.”
The 86th IBCT (MTN) participation in IR-25 is part of a broader, USAREUR-AF campaign to reinforce NATO’s regional plans and strengthen multinational alliances.
“The exercise will test the brigade’s ability to communicate across cultural and linguistic lines,” said Col. Tantillo expressed of the brigades expectations of supporting regional security and global stability. He envisions that the results of the exercise, “Will strengthen our capabilities and be rewarding.”
Article by Staff Sgt. Barbara Pendl
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2025 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 498458 |
| Location: | COLCHESTER, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
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