Photo By Derika Upshaw | Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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Fort Hood, Texas — Units across post can now conduct training for their Soldiers without having to reserve the area weeks in advance. The Fort Hood Range Operations repurposed Training Area 40 to a tactical training area, a 24/7 training site that affords units a training area at their disposal for last-minute training.
“They can roll on, roll off, with very limited requirements for them to occupy that or go on it,” said Master Sgt. Gabriel Hutt, III Armored Corps master gunner. “They have to let them know what unit they are, what type of vehicles they’re in and the number of people out there (and) a general area where they’re going to be at within TA 40.”
Hutt said the importance of relaying this information to Range Operations is so they can have oversight of who is out there and where in case of any emergencies. Once a unit is finished with training, they will need to call operations back, let them know how many people were trained and they are leaving.
However, Hutt said units are not allowed to fly unmanned aerial systems or have pyrotechnics. The area is focused on supplying the ability to perform dismounted operations or mounted maneuvers.
Units also do not have to worry about another unit occupying the space when they need it since the area is large enough to service multiple units, even giving them the chance to come together for combined training, Hutt said.
“You can have units out there who can do impromptu (training),” he explained. “I run into your platoon, my platoon out here and now we can do a little exercise, a little force-on-force action, and maybe fight each other or whatever to the imagination.”
Hutt reiterated once units call in to share their information, Range Operations will let them know of the other units out there. At that point, the units will have on the ground face-to-face discussions about the security and safety measures required in the area.
Having this ability affords them the opportunity to have a training area at their disposal during Sergeants Time Training, and other training that promotes lethality and readiness pushed from the top down.
“It allows them the ability to have unscheduled, impromptu training to allow them more freedom of maneuver,” Hutt said. “However, they see a white space or open opportunity to train, they can go out there and utilize a training area. So that’s why I would say it’s highly beneficial to them if they get the opportunity to go out there, as long as they’re not limited on funding, right? It takes gas to move vehicles and maintenance and all.”
As many units learn about these new initiatives, they are already seeing how it could benefit their unit’s mission.
“As an air defense artillery first sergeant, 24-hour access to a training area directly enhances our unit’s lethality by allowing us to train under realistic, time-sensitive conditions that mimic combat operations,” said 1st Sgt. Olidia Jiles, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. “Around the clock access enables us to conduct reconnaissance, tactical movements and gunnery tables without the constraints of reserving land to train. This flexibility maximizes training effectiveness, builds Soldiers’ confidence and ensures that we remain prepared to engage and destroy threats at any time, under any condition.”
Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Brotherton, Alpha Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, noted the opportunities for multiple units being able to use the area at the same time.
“I do see a benefit of it not tied down to just one group,” he said. “You might see training out there that you actually need, and you can coordinate with the other unit and vice versa. If they see something that you’re doing that they might need, it gives you one area that you could push some of your Soldiers over to get their training while they push Soldiers over to you and receive your training. And it benefits both groups.”
For more information about the open-training area initiative, a unit can reach out to their operations and training staff or reach out to Range Operations at 254-287-3321.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2025 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 545505 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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