Photo By Staff Sgt. Christina Cooper | Master Sgt. Benjamin Rosenberg congratulates soldiers from the California National...... read more read more
California National Guard members from the 340th Brigade Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, returned May 23 from Wyoming where they participated in an annual training exercise with the Utah Army National Guard’s 65th Fires Brigade.
The combined training brought together eight units from the 65th Fires Brigade. In total, over 1,300 Soldiers from California, Utah and North Carolina attended the 14 days of training, which allowed them to utilize their skills in a realistic environment.
The operation was a departure from many of the battalion’s previous trainings, which had been conducted at Camp Roberts, California, and was the first time a mission of this magnitude had been conducted in over 13 years, according to 1st Sgt. Christopher Brownsilva, first sergeant for the headquarters and headquarters detachment.
“What I liked, personally, was that young Soldiers had the opportunity to fly in a military aircraft and do something different,” Brownsilva said. “It broke the routine of training in California.”
Master Sgt. Benjamin Rosenberg reiterated the value of coming together for the training, saying he appreciated the chance to build relationships and learn from other forward support companies from different states.
“I take tips away with me every time I train,” Rosenberg said. “Seeing how another state does it, and how we do it, always helps. I’m going to add that to my toolbox.”
The training brought many challenges with it, including unpredictable weather, travel across miles of unimproved or nonexistent roads, and disruptions to digital communications. The Soldiers also received surprise visits from herds of cows, which wandered through operations areas and entered tents, according to Sgt Gregg A. Hierholzer, a logistics sergeant with the 340th BSB
Hierholzer said that morale stayed high no matter what circumstances the battalion confronted. Not even heat, thunderstorms, ankle-deep mud puddles and frigid temperatures could affect the Soldiers, who had come well prepared.
“We went to Wyoming taking everything we’d ever been issued, and we had no idea what most of it was for, but we figured it out really fast,” Hierholzer said.
Because of the harsh conditions, safety was made a top priority at all levels, and no one sustained any serious injuries, according to Lt. Col. Marvin R. Green III, the battalion commander.
“For younger Soldiers who’ve only been to basic (training) and AIT (Advanced Individual Training), this is a big eye opener,” Green said. “The number one enemy is always the environment.”
Green said that the collective training was a valuable experience, and praised the work done by the battalion. He said that normal difficulties occurred, but everyone stayed focused, which he attributed to the leadership of his noncommissioned officers.
“The NCO corps brought their A-game,” Green said. “They took care of business.”
Hierholzer praised the quality of the food, the efficiency of work done, and overall team spirit showed by fellow Soldiers.
“To say they did an awesome job would be an understatement,” he said. “Morale was through the roof.”
Green said that seeing the Soldiers have a good time was one of the most rewarding parts of the training for him.
“Even with the misty type of rain that doesn’t go away, I saw Soldiers with smiles on their faces,” he said. “If these guys and gals can have that level of attitude, we’re going to be just fine.”
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2016 18:29 |
| Story ID: | 204171 |
| Location: | GUERNSEY, WYOMING, US |
| Web Views: | 265 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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