Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Jose Carlos Serna, from Georgia, non-commissioned officer for Company B, 2nd...... read more read more
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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - When Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, arrived here at the beginning of April, they had a good idea what they were getting into.
This is the Iron Brigade's third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and its Soldiers have been preparing for months at their home station in Baumholder, Germany.
Since arriving in Kuwait, training has continued with test-firing weapons, tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. They have also taken classes on improvised explosive devices and lessons on Iraq-specific tactics, techniques and procedures.
For Cpl. Paul Sanchez, tank mechanic and native of Weslaco, Texas, this is his second deployment in support of OIF. He said the training has been a big help in preparing Soldiers for their mission.
"I know how to fix tanks, that's my job," Sanchez said. "The training here has helped me in other ways, like brushing up on my Soldier skills."
For other Soldiers, such as Pfc. Nathan Ryder, of Boise, Idaho, this is their first deployment. Ryder spent three days patrolling simulated IED lanes as part of his training.
"The IED training was very realistic," he said, adding the ability to recognize IEDs could help save his life and those of his battle buddies.
Other training at Camp Buehring involved working with Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The armored vehicles are new to the Army and designed to better protect Soldiers from IED blasts.
For Pvt. Andrew Flowers, of Columbus, Ohio, Headquarters Company, this was his first introduction to the MRAP vehicles.
"We are going to be driving around in these things in Iraq," Flowers said. "Getting to know your vehicle now, before we get in country, is a big help."
Some of the Soldiers also received the new improved outer tactical vest (IOTV), which replaces the heavier interceptor body armor (IBA) and is designed to have less movement constriction.
"I like the new vest a lot," Ryder said. "I'm more comfortable in it and still feel protected."
Just as the training and gear has affected the Soldiers, so has the heat. When the Soldiers departed from Germany, snow covered the ground. Now, in Kuwait, they are experiencing near 100-degree weather daily.
"It's best that we are in Kuwait and not somewhere else more comfortable," Flowers said. "The weather here is as close to Iraq as you can get."
Outside of training, the Soldiers have been taking part in different activities on post. Camp Buehring provides a movie theater, weekly karaoke, a large gym, calling centers, internet cafes and wireless interent in tents for a fee. The dining facility provides four meals a day and food establishments such as Taco Bell, Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Starbucks offer Soldiers even more variety.
Sanchez said Camp Buehring has done well at facilitating the Soldiers' needs and believes it will have a positive impact on them during deployment.
The 2nd BCT, 1st Armor Div., will assist Iraqis in rebuilding their infrastructure and set conditions for long-term stability. The brigade is from Smith Barracks, Germany, and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since April.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2008 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 18963 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Web Views: | 458 |
| Downloads: | 364 |
This work, Iron Brigade Soldiers – boots on the ground, by SPC Justin Snyder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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