Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Heather Denby | Capt. Kent Monas, a pilot assigned to 1st Sqdn., 6th Cav. Regt., CAB, 1st Inf. Div.,...... read more read more
FORT RILEY, Kan. – After weeks of training at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility, the commander of 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade certified the 55th Mobility Augmentation Company and 509th Engineer Company of the 5th Engineer Battalion for an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Conducting an external evaluation at Fort Riley has been exceptional for the companies of the 5th Eng. Bn.,” said Col. James Reckard, 4th MEB commander. “The integration of air and ground assets to conduct route clearance has truly benefited the entire formation.”
Reckard said this was the first time an engineer company from the brigade used a full complement of route clearance equipment and enablers.
“Our leaders and soldiers are better prepared for combat as a result,” he said.
Almost 400 soldiers participated in the two-week certification training exercise (CERTEX) June 4 to 13 at Fort Riley. Small elements conducted route clearance operations with the support of inorganic unit assets such as specialized search dog teams, explosive ordnance detection, quick response forces and aviation groups.
“You really have to see route clearance patrol through the lens of movement to contact,” said Lt. Col. Chris McGowan, 5th Eng. Bn. commander. “It allows flexibility and preparedness to conduct offensive operations, defensive operations, security operations as well as transition into a breech because the enemy will adapt and so should we.”
In addition to the battalion commander’s evaluation, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 345th Engineer Regiment (Training Support) out of Camp Atterbury, Ind., were invited to observe, control and train the units through all phases of their CERTEX.
“Our group monitors the process of receiving a mission, planning, preparing and executing those tasks to assist with identifying what works and what may need some improvement or more training so that by the time they board that plane for combat they are ready to rock,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Gutierrez, OCT team member.
Soldiers of these units will undoubtedly be sent to clear critical roads and other danger areas necessary for the mobility of coalition forces and for the upcoming transition from these forces to local peacekeeping agencies, Gutierrez said.
During their training, soldiers partnered with these agencies to interact with key leaders of the community, patrol hazardous routes and defeat IED threats.
“Forces Command equips Counter Improvised Explosive Device Integration Cells across the Army with subject matter experts and equipment sets to provide home station CIED training to deploying units using the most current friendly and enemy tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Randy Fogg, Fort Riley CI2C lead.
“The visual and audible cues from CI2C trigger the units to respond by utilizing their previous training experience and specialized organic equipment to properly identify and mitigate the dangers associated with an explosive device.”
While the soldiers’ experience levels varied, they said the situations presented during the training exercise enhanced their overall understanding of what to expect and how to react to the hazardous conditions associated with opposing forces in the Afghanistan region.
“You can read a manual all day, but when you are rolling down the road and actually see that strand of wire, you’ve got to be prepared to expediently react,” said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Prowley, a platoon sergeant assigned to the 509th Eng. Company. “That type of response only comes from practice.”
Prowley said by identifying best practices and refining their tactics, these soldiers will build the teamwork and expertise that contributes to a successful combat tour.
The 509th Eng. Company and 55th MAC scheduled additional predeployment training once they return to their home station at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
After their final preparations, these soldiers will have an equally important follow on mission, their battalion commander said.
“It is essential that each soldier and family take the time to build strong foundations of trust, communication and a shared appreciation for each other’s sacrifice to make sure that they are prepared for the challenges ahead and know how much support on the home front truly means,” McGowan said.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2013 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 109587 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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