FORT HOOD, Texas – Commanders and noncommissioned officers must ensure their soldiers are trained and remain proficient in their warrior tasks and drills. For troops with the 2-227th “Lobos,” JRTC tested their skills and proved they’re ready to execute any mission abroad.
Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 227th “Lobos” Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, returned April 1 through 4 from the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. after three weeks of assessing their combat readiness.
During the rotation at JRTC, soldiers’ proficiency and battle focus were validated during an assortment of realistic and demanding training across full spectrum conflict, said Lt. Col. Jason Blevins, commander for 2-227th and Victoria, Texas, native.
“We really pushed ourselves to the limit and the results were absolutely outstanding,” Blevins said. “We learned our strengths and weaknesses, and identified areas in our standard operating procedures that need enhancement. Ultimately, we became more proficient in all operations.”
While supporting the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at JRTC, the Lobos executed Fat Cow, Jump Forward Arming and Refueling Point, and Downed Aircraft Recovery Team operations, as well as personnel rescue and multiple Soldier services which gave soldiers the opportunity to excel, Blevins said.
“We identified soldiers who stepped up across our formation by distinguishing themselves during in-extremist situations,” Blevins explained. “When our (Forward Operating Base) was ambushed, Sgt. 1st. Class Samansky preserved 100 percent of aircraft. During a dark mission, Spc. Wheeler found a deficiency while inspecting a sling set which could have dealt damage to the aircraft. Sgt. Emerson took immediate action during a real world class three leak to get the FARP running. The field feeding section consisting of seven soldiers fed over 1,000 people a day.”
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pryor, a Unit Supply Specialist with Company E, 2-227th and Miami native, attended JRTC and said the rotation helped ready herself and her battle buddies for a future deployment.
“JRTC was a valuable learning experience,” Pryor said. “So many individual Soldiers stepped up and showed what they are capable of. Overall, we learned a lot and are now more ready for the mission at hand, whatever and wherever that may be.”
Not only did individual soldiers shine, but the entire team came together and performed at an incredibly high level, resulting in a fully mission capable task force element prepared for upcoming deployment operations, Blevins said.
“There was constant hard work and outstanding performance from everyone across the board,” Blevins noted. “We made an immediate fix to battle drills and rewrote them all. They were battle drills a level above us at brigade, but we brought them to our battalion level and accomplished the mission. If we were called upon today, I know Task Force Lobos could be called upon for any mission.”