EL PASO, Texas - Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, began the Army Network Integration Evaluation 13.2 at Fort Bliss and White Sand Missile Range April 22.
The NIE will be conducted from late April through late May and will consist of more than 3,800 service members from the 2nd BCT, 1st AD.
NIE is a semi-annual, soldier-led evaluation with the purpose of validating and evaluating equipment and systems, while emphasizing mission readiness and training. During the evaluations, the Army integrates network capability and then uses a full BCT to assess network and non-network abilities to determine their impact across the many venues that are significant to the Army’s plan. The event is an enduring Army process and enables formation effectiveness and increased operational capability to provide proven integrated capabilities into the hands of soldiers.
White Sands Missile Range is more than 3200 square miles of training area. This massive landscape will allow the brigade to conduct the evaluation, while focusing on battle drills and tasks such as ranges, convoy operations and air integration training.
NIE is an enriching training event for all participants involved and the event is excellent for Soldiers at all levels, said Capt. Matthew Michealson a health care specialist supervisor with 2nd BCT, 1st AD.
“Another extremely important part of NIE is teamwork and getting to know co-workers on a personal level,” said Spc. Jacqueline Waterhouse a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT, 1st AD.
In the end, 2nd BCT, 1st AD, continues to remain prepared to deploy and conduct decisive and sustainable land operations in support of a division, Joint Task Force Fort Bliss, or a multi-national force, while supporting the Army Modernization Strategy through Network Integration Evaluations and other adaptive core capabilities.