2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Staff Sgt. Carlos Burger

by Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON – Warhorse Soldiers quickly disembarked from the landing CH-47 Chinooks and moved into a simulated town in Iraq. Their mission: to work with Iraqi nationals in an attempt to seize a high value target.

At the same time, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks stormed over the ridgeline and formed a perimeter around the city. As the Soldiers began their search, they knew that they needed to put all their training to the test if they were going to capture their target and earn a passing grade.

The 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment experienced this scenario as they participate in the Gauntlet II exercise here from March 2-21. The three-week event tests units from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division on their overall capabilities and prepares them for their upcoming exercise at the National Training Center, in Fort Irwin, Calif.

Each unit is given an individual city and has to practice drills such as conducting a cordon and search, acquiring high value targets, working with Iraqi nationals and police, reacting to IEDs and responding to Iraqi media.

"This is a great exercise," said Capt. Larry Brown, commander of Company A, 1-67AR. "This gets our heads and feet moving in the right direction."

To help make the exercise more realistic, contracted Iraqis were brought in to serve as villagers and interpreters and other Warhorse Soldiers played the role of insurgents.

"The Soldiers get to work with the Iraqis and interpreters, which gives them a better understanding of the culture they will face so it won't be as big of a culture shock once they get there," said Staff Sgt. John J. Fabrizi, an observer/controller at one of the sites. "It helps the leadership and the Soldiers get the training they need to be more prepared for Iraq."

Fabrizi, who just returned from a deployment in December, said that coming out to help the Soldiers with tactics his unit learned while deployed gives valuable input toward the ever-changing conditions in Iraq.

"This type of training helps get the Soldiers to think outside the box, instead of just relying on the basics," he said.

Although these drills are new to most of the Soldiers involved, some just needed to be reminded to how to get the job done. Spc. Anthony Zamaniego, from Company B, 1-67AR and a veteran of two previous deployments, said that participating in this exercise just refreshes his memory.

"It gets me back into that [deployment] mindset. The trainers are playing their roles well," he said.
Once 1-67AR has completed their training, the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment will put their training to the test. Brown feels that this event is an excellent steppingstone for not just his unit, but all those who train here.

"This training event will help prepare all of us for whatever is ahead. The Soldiers are outstanding. They have proven they can step up to the challenge and do a good job," Brown said.

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