Photo By Capt. Shaun Manley | A M109A6 Paladin, self-propelled howitzer crew assigned to 3rd Battalion, 29th Field...... read more read more
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UDAIRI RANGE COMPLEX, Kuwait – “Exercise, exercise, exercise,” began the sequence of training events for the “Iron Strong” Brigade Combat Team (BCT).
Soldiers of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a series of training exercises that included company Combined Arms Live Fire Exercises (CALFEX), battalion Fire Coordination Exercises (FCX) and a BCT Field Training Exercise (FTX) at the Udairi Range Complex, July 18 - Aug. 8, 2015.
The events started with three CALFEXs, which certified combined arms companies in conducting maneuver - simultaneous fire and movement. The brigade then built upon the lessons learned during the company CALFEXs as it transitioned to battalion FCXs and the BCT FTX.
A company level CALFEX permits company sized elements to employ assets from across the brigade combat team (BCT) as they maneuver through realistic and complex lanes using live rounds.
“A combined arms live-fire exercise at this level develops company leadership and Soldiers in planning and executing operations,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, command sergeant major, 3rd ABCT. “It further prepares them to integrate indirect fires, combat aviation and other assets in their mounted and dismounted tactical movement plans to attack company sized objectives.”
Conducting live-fire exercises at the company and battalion level required the units to first conduct qualifications and certifications at the individual, team, crew, squad and platoon levels.
Leading up to these exercises, the battalions conducted qualification ranges on their assigned weapons systems that included tank and Bradley gunnery and squad live fire exercises, amongst other events, building confidence and competence in the Soldiers and leaders at the individual and collective levels.
“Over the past several months, our brigade combat team has conducted mounted gunnery and live-fire certifications at all levels from team through company,” said Sims. “Our Soldiers have proven their proficiency on and off of their combat platforms and at every level; their efforts paid off out here during these exercises.”
“This training was another opportunity for our Soldiers to work as a team to accomplish their mission while communicating with adjacent units to accomplish shared tasks,” added Sims.
During the exercises, companies from combined-arms battalions (CABs) within the BCT maneuvered their M1 Abrams main battle tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Humvees and infantry squads through several iterations of the lanes training including day and night, blank and live-fire.
Reacting to contact as well as defensive and offensive operations and mission command were incorporated into the training lanes that tested the Soldiers and leaders abilities to shoot, move, communicate, adapt, overcome and survive amidst the fast paced and intense conditions. Immediately following the CALFEXs, the Soldiers transitioned to conduct the FCX and brigade-level field training exercise.
The Soldiers of the maneuvering units worked with adjacent elements in live and simulations environments as they integrated available warfighting assets across the BCT.
“To see all of these assets come together on the battlefield is a tremendous site,” said Capt. Thomas Anderson, commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT. “Having adjacent units to communicate with added realism to the overall experience for the Soldier and allowed everyone to participate in the exercises.”
The CABs assigned to 3rd ABCT are 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment.
“These exercises were the culmination of a challenging training progression we started shortly after arriving here,” said Anderson. “Integrating direct fires and other enablers at the company level while simultaneously integrating support from several higher echelons was challenging but also made for a great training experience.”
The exercises included more than just armored vehicles, infantry Soldiers and aircraft, they also involved the combination of Virtual Training Simulators (simulations).
Simulations involve Soldiers operating computer-generated systems that accurately depict real world equipment and situations without the limitations of time, terrain, facilities or other resources. These systems allowed some elements of the brigade combat team to be represented on the battlefield while meeting other demands of the deployment, while also reducing the costs of the training.
“By incorporating the use of simulations into the training, the unit was able to include all elements of the brigade combat team while still fulfilling its real-world missions here in theater,” said Capt. Robert Fenoglio, chief of operations, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd ABCT.
The simulations input was fed to the live maneuvering units allowing them to coordinate with and factor in the adjacent elements to their flanks therefore securing multiple objectives simultaneously and giving the commanders a full outlook of the complex operational environment.
“Allowing the maneuvering elements to see the adjacent units and receive updates on the entire battlespace helped the leaders make decisions at all levels,” said Fenoglio. ”The virtual training complemented and enhanced the live portions of the training.”
Artillery or indirect-fire capabilities were provided by 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery in the form of live 155-mm artillery rounds fired from M109A6 Self-Propelled Cannon Artillery Systems. Battalions also integrated their organic mortar platoons to better destroy enemy forces. The use of artillery was integrated throughout all of the operations beginning in the planning and continuing through its response to the actual “calls for fire” from the maneuvering units.
“We train as we fight, and this training is helping teach the Soldiers how to integrate fires into operations, and what effects those fires have in shaping the battle,” said Capt. Jason Polglaze, commander, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th Field Artillery Reg.
The supporting artillery rounds were fired from locations far away from the requesting elements requiring detailed and timely coordination between echelons to clear air space and put the live rounds where needed on the battlefield. Fire Support Teams (FISTs) assigned to the CABs and at the BCT level, and additionally the mortar sections assigned at the battalions level assist in this process.
“The training cycle served as a catalyst for integrating both movement and fires,” said Capt. Kenric Lull, fire support officer, 1st battalion, 68th Armor Reg. “FISTs across the brigade have worked extremely hard in maintaining their core competencies and empowering the fire warfighting function.”
“The exercises served to validate the fire support planning abilities across the brigade by synchronizing both indirect and direct weapon systems as well as air assets…shaping maneuver operations,” Lull added.
Another key element in the BCT’s arsenal is the combat engineers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion. During the exercises, engineers provided the maneuvering forces the means to breach obstacles standing in the paths of their attack.
As the maneuver units moved toward objectives, the routes would be complicated by encountering obstacles; these obstacles gave the attached engineers an opportunity to do what they do best: “breach.”
“The breach is the essence of combined arms warfare,” said Maj. Jason Toth, executive officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 588th BEB. “The engineers help set the conditions for the maneuvering units to get to their objective and complete the mission.”
Engineers bring specialized skills to the BCT and the fight, as do our sustainers assigned to the BCT’s support battalion.
Sustainment plays a major role in these large-scale exercises, representing a significant portion of the live training that works in concert with the virtual and constructive aspects to meet the BCT Commander’s overall objectives.
All food, water, ice, fuel, ammunition, medical, maintenance and distribution operations were coordinated for and provided by the Soldiers of the 64th Brigade Support Battalion. Meanwhile, the Battalion planned and executed 42 situational training exercise lanes of its own to train and evaluate platoons on key collective tasks. The lanes occurred under both day and night conditions and included opposition forces and well-trained observer controllers. Each lane was integrated into the overall scenario to better train staffs at the same time.
“Planning executable supply, maintenance, and medical plans designed to sustain the entire brigade combat team during events of this magnitude is definitely challenging but absolutely worthwhile,” said Maj. William Bennett, executive officer, 64th BSB. “This sequence of training events has provided our staff and subordinate units a great opportunity to learn and develop under some tough and realistic training conditions. It has also allowed us to improve our ability to synchronize sustainment at echelon, from the Sustainment Brigade all the way down to our BCT’s Distribution Platoons.”
Noticeably absent from the live portion of the training events was the brigade’s primary reconnaissance and security asset, the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. Although the squadron is typically identifying enemy formations and providing options for the BCT commander during brigade-level movements to contact and attacks, their absence demonstrates the current requirement to flexibly balance training opportunities with deployed mission sets.
While the BCT conducted the exercises, the cavalry squadron transitioned to its deployed mission in support of theater priorities.
“We know we would have gained a lot being incorporated into the Brigade's training scenario, both live and virtual,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Dean Lockhart, squadron command sergeant major, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Reg., “It’s always a privilege to train with our brothers in the other battalions of 3rd ABCT.”
Lockhart added, “We are focused on making sure that we conduct ourselves professionally and do a great job deploying and training with our nation's friends and allies in the region.”
Although the BCT commander chose to keep the Buffalo Soldiers focused on their deployment mission rather than participate in the training exercises, other brigades deployed in the region participated, adding realism to the scenarios.
During the training, units were able to coordinate for and incorporate live AH-64 Apache helicopter support of 185th Theater Aviation Brigade, Mississippi Army National Guard, in their engagements.
The ability of having live air support in addition to direct and indirect fire assets made training an even greater experience for Soldiers throughout the brigade combat team.
Additionally, other units participated in the 3rd ABCT training. Members of 1st Theater Sustainment Command and 75th Fires Brigade, as well as staff members of U.S. Army Central (USARCENT) were an integral part of the successful training and operations.
Maj. Gen. William Hickman, U.S. Army Central Deputy Commanding General – Operations, as well as leaders of Kuwaiti Land Forces, Maj. Gen. Khalid al Sabah, Kuwait Land Forces Commanding General and Brig. Gen. Khalid Alshemeri, Kuwait Land Forces Deputy Commander, accompanied the 3rd ABCT command team to observe the training.
Other members of the Kuwaiti Land Forces were also in attendance throughout the live fire exercises, showing their support for the Iron Strong BCT and building on the relationships established with its members throughout the deployment.
Observer/Controller-Trainers, also known as OC/Ts , provided administrative control, evaluated task performance, and provided constructive feedback to the participants throughout the training exercises. These OC/Ts were subject-matter experts on the tasks being trained and were leaders from not only 3rd ABCT but additionally from USARCENT and other units in region.
For all the Soldiers of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, this training proved to be an effective tool for expanding warfighting skills and capabilities across the formation.
“From the planning phases and throughout the final attacks on the scenario-based objectives, the Soldiers throughout the brigade combat team executed missions that were designed to replicate realistic threats we face in this theater,” said Col. Gregory Sierra, commander, 3rd ABCT.
As the brigade combat team continues its theater reserve and partnership mission in addition to providing support to ongoing operations in support of U.S. Central Command, the Soldiers also continue building on their level of sustainable readiness as an expeditionary ready force.
“I am extremely proud of all our Soldiers and leaders accomplished thus far in the deployment. Our Families, friends and Nation can be proud,” added Sierra. “This BCT is incredibly well trained, and we have incredible Soldiers and leaders; we will fight and win when called.”
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2015 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 172589 |
| Location: | UDAIRI RANGE, KW |
| Web Views: | 419 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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