Stryker soldiers train for real-world missions with true-to-life training exercise

United States Army Alaska
Story by Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy

Date: 10.31.2013
Posted: 10.31.2013 21:29
News ID: 116071
Stryker soldiers train for real-world missions with true-to-life training exercise

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Soldiers of Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment ("Black Hawk"), 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division participated in a two-day readiness exercise, testing their ability to deploy globally in a moment’s notice.

Tuesday morning 1/25 SBCT received an impromptu order to deploy an element from the 1/25th, signaling the start of the rapid-response readiness exercise to test the unit’s ability to maintain the skills, ability, and readiness levels to deploy on short notice worldwide to support the brigade, U.S. Army Alaska, or U.S. Army Pacific commander's intent.

“We got alerted yesterday morning at 9.a.m.,” said Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Thomas, acting B troop first sergeant. “It’s good to see that the entire system is being validated to make sure it is good to go.”

The squadron is trained and poised with systems in place to maintain readiness in support of worldwide contingency missions, ranging from decisive action to humanitarian operations, or anything in between.

“I like the fact that they are actually going through the whole process as if we were going to make our movement to whatever hotspot it is that we were supposed to be going to,” said Thomas.

He added, “A lot of times they cut it off before you get to validate everything up to where you would be going to do the real-world mission.”

These soldiers are trained to conduct reconnaissance of enemy forces by maximizing the teaming of ground scouts, unmanned aerial vehicles, and chemical, biological, radiological And nuclear reconnaissance assets.

“A lot of the guys were initially apprehensive, but once the situation developed a bit, they got their heads in the game, got over the initial shock and I think they are doing really good,” said Thomas. “They are excited to be part of it and they are learning how they can do better both individually and for the team.”

Pfc. Jonathan Ybarra, a CBRN specialist with 5-1 CAV, having only been in the Army and Alaska for a year, has experienced a lot in such a short period of time, to include this exercise.

“This is very new to me,” said Ybarra. “It was hard for me at first coming straight from high school. This was the first time really being away from my family, but it’s a great experience.”

The Houston native said he felt he has matured a lot faster than some of his peers due to his time in the military and he has purpose.

“I feel important within the brigade since we are a brigade asset,” he said. “It has shown the real world to me outside of my hometown.”

Staff Sgt. Brianna Warren, a Racine, Wis., native and CBRN specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, also enjoyed the training and experience that the exercise gave her and her soldiers.

“I think it is good practice,” said Warren.

“If we do go,” she said, “practicing lets us know our deficiencies and how we can improve on them.”

This readiness exercise tested and proved the 5-1 CAV’s ability to accomplish its mission in support of the nation.

“I thoroughly enjoy it,” said Warren.