FORT BLISS, Texas - One by one, Sgt. 1st Class Mark Barrus, 1st Armored Division’s Tactical Assault Command Post Battle noncommissioned officer, calls off the names on a list.
Amongst the formation are male and female soldiers, proficient in their fields as attorneys, human resources, maintenance mechanics and more. They rank from private through lieutenant colonel.
As the soldiers leave formation to load a bus going to the flight line, Barrus visually identifies each one as they sound off with “here sergeant” or “hooah sergeant.”
Fifty-nine soldiers flew out of Fort Bliss, Texas, to join more than 20 additional team members at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., July 28.
The 1st Armored Division deployed soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, to train on the setup and operate a Division Tactical Assault Command post at NTC.
In just three days, the team assembled -from the ground up- the housing, networks, and communication lines for the 1AD DTAC.
"Success here was not guaranteed said,” Lt. Col. Christopher R. Norrie, assistant chief of staff G-3. “But you've made it a success.”
In support of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, the DTAC was ordered to NTC.
“It’s been a long time since we came out, said 1st Lt. Spurgeon Petty, DTAC Forward Commander. We’re the first DTAC rotation for 1AD to train at NTC since reassigning to Fort Bliss.”
Petty said this mission is to train the DTAC for deployment. While ensuring the communication and tracking systems are connected and correct, the DTAC will maintain the lines of communication between 1AD back at Fort Bliss, 1/1 AD in the front and 52nd Infantry Division Headquarters in the training area. Once all reports are in from the brigade, the DTAC reports to higher for analysis of operations.
In the event that the deployed BCT requires support — extra firepower, equipment, personnel, advice, etc. — the DTAC can contact their headquarters staff for assistance.
“We’re training for the just in case,” said Sgt. Richard LeBlanc, 1AD DTAC Fire Control noncommissioned officer.
“Hopefully this will be a good training experience, and we'll be fully mission capable for future deployments,” said Petty.
The DTAC will be training for the duration of the 1/1 AD NTC Rotation.