Photo By Spc. Georgia Napier | Soldiers assigned to the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conduct chemical,...... read more read more
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CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — For National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1792nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, this year’s annual training was more than routine preparation. It was an opportunity to face the evolving demands of military leadership—whether managing oneself, a team, or an entire command post—during a multi-week training exercise held at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, from May 12-28, 2025.
Along with its focus on training young leaders, the battalion also trained to defend against chemical and drone attacks. These modern threats require both technical skills and strong leadership from every Soldier.
For U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David Stevenson, the shift from cadet to commissioned officer meant more than a new title—it meant a total change in mindset.
“You can be a squad member one minute and end up a platoon leader or sergeant the next,” said Stevenson. “As a cadet, you're the one being taken care of. Now, you're taking care of 30 people—making sure they learn, train and succeed.”
Pfc. Gedeon Kapongu experienced his first annual training this cycle as an 88M, motor transport operator. To prepare, he leaned on prior drill weekends and connected early with his platoon leadership.
“Even with what I learned in Advanced Individual Training (AIT), being out here made it clear—you can’t just think about yourself,” Kapongu said. “You have to work as a team.”
Kapongu also participated in new Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) training, which introduced Soldiers to modern battlefield technology and the threats it brings.
“It was good in terms of being prepared and learning that there’s technology out there we’ll face,” he said.
In addition to leadership and UAS-focused instruction, Soldiers conducted Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense training to maintain readiness in hazardous environments. Wearing full protective gear and operating decontamination stations, Soldiers rehearsed procedures critical to sustaining operations under CBRN threats—a vital component of the unit’s sustainment mission.
The UAS and counter-UAS (C-UAS) training served as a focal point for the battalion. 1st. Lt. Tyler Jackson, operations officer for the 2113th Transportation Company, said the systems offered both a wake-up call and a roadmap.
“Seeing how quick and close they can get is disheartening at first,” Jackson said. “But once we developed plans and procedures, we realized we were more prepared than we thought.”
Contractors supported hands-on sessions with multiple drone platforms—some designed for surveillance, others for delivering ordnance or mounting weapons. The training gave Soldiers insight into how drones detect heat, electronic signals, and even Wi-Fi usage. Teams practiced using “drone busters” to jam enemy aircraft and neutralize threats before they could impact operations.
Capt. Eric Sheaks, the battalion’s operations officer, said the brigade’s approach to survivability hinged on readiness and adaptation to new threats.
“We’re going from basically our Taj Mahal tents to becoming lean, mobile and dispersed,” Sheaks said. “We still have to be able to survive at a command post due to the ongoing threat.”
That shift in operational posture was evident in the battalion’s mobile and nodal command post structure—designed to maintain flexibility, accountability and coordination under high-speed conditions.
Sgt. 1st Class Jorden Charles, the battalion’s S-1 noncommissioned officer in charge, said personnel accountability became more important than ever.
“Our primary role is knowing where all of our Soldiers are and making sure they’re accounted for, along with equipment,” Charles said. “The pace forces us to work faster and respond smarter.”
This was Charles’s first annual training with the unit in several years, and he said the energy and engagement from junior Soldiers to senior leaders stood out.
“The mission hasn’t changed,” he said. “But how we carry it out—that’s where we grow. Everyone knew their tasks, understood their roles, and stayed focused on the bigger picture.”
For the 1792nd, this year’s training was less about checking boxes and more about building leaders—leaders who know when to take charge and when to trust their team.
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| Date Taken: | 05.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2025 14:12 |
| Story ID: | 498869 |
| Location: | KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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