Complex training ensures troop readiness

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Mark Morrison, commander of Troop A, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div. (right), completes a reconnaissance handover upon the completion of the Troop raid with 1st Lt. Jacob Garrett, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop executive officer, June 14. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Lauren Karlewicz, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.)  

FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

06.14.2012

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Over the course of a week and a half, ‘Mustang’ Troopers conducted troop-level training. Prior to execution, the troops with the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, were evaluated on their ability to conduct troop leading procedures.

“These soldiers executed various missions over 47 kilometers with both platoons and sections separated from one another,” said Capt. Timothy Mahoney, the squadron’s unit public affairs representative. “With various platoon objectives to a Troop collective objective, these guys had to convey a detailed, well rehearsed plan to ensure effective communication and coordination.”

Each Troop was given a mission which required the reconnaissance of various objectives, adjacent unit link up operations and a key leader engagement. To achieve this, the troop had to separate into platoon and section sized elements allowing for simultaneous mission execution.

“Our troop was separated to a challenging extent, with elements conducting link up operations to assaulting various objectives,” said Capt. Craig Brewer, Troop B, 6th Sqdrn., 8th Cav. Regt. commander. “Our leaders were forced to make tough decisions at the platoon and section level.”

The training then aimed to combine the troop’s efforts, using both mounted and dismounted elements. The troop level objective consisted of a raid on a residential building where they would capture a high value target.

“We gathered intelligence at our previous objectives which indicated a key target was located within the town,” said Staff Sgt. John Urbanski, a squad leader with Troop C. “We were given the ‘go’ and extracted the HVT.”

First Lt. Jacob Garrett, Headquarters and Headquarters troop executive officer, said the troop then conducted a recon handover with a follow on unit and moved to establish what’s called a screen line.

“This level of complexity in training will help ensure the readiness of the ‘Mustang’ Squadron for future combat operations.”

• Date Taken: 06.14.2012
• Date Posted: 06.26.2012 16:46
• Story ID: 90633
• Location: FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US