Nebraska cavalrymen fire up ranges during training in Kansas

Photo By Lisa Crawford | A Nebraska Soldier takes aim with an FGM-148 Javelin. The FGM-148 Javelin is a "fire-and-forget" missile. Soldiers lock onto their target before launch and rely on the automatic self-guidance system to reach its intended target.  

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, UNITED STATES

11.20.2017

Story by Spc. Lisa Crawford 

Joint Force Headquarters - Nebraska National Guard

Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard’s 1-134th Cavalry Squadron spent their 2017 annual training, June 4-17, on the ranges at Fort Riley, Kansas, firing advanced weapon systems for the first time in more than a decade.
“We’ve gotten a lot of training done,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Golden, squadron commander. “We’ve pushed (the Soldiers) hard. They packed so much training into just these days that we’re down here, I don’t think they’ve stopped.”
On June 13, Nebraska National Guard Soldiers fired four Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) anti-tank missiles from a mounted Humvee, and four Javelins – more portable, shoulder-mounted anti-tank missile systems. This was the first time in over a decade the 1-134th Cavalry Squadron had fired TOW missiles, and about five years since the last firing of Javelin missiles as well.
Golden said it’s the uniqueness of the training that kept the Soldiers in high spirits and the “one team, one fight” mentality that surrounded every event.
“The helocast with deputy commander Frank was a significant event for us,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce Nakai, the squadron’s senior noncommissioned officer. On June 9, Brig. Gen. Patrick Frank, the deputy commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, accompanied a team of 60 Soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard’s Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron, Nebraska Army National Guard, as they jumped out of a CH-47 Chinook into Milford Lake on Fort Riley. Also jumping from the helicopter were Nebraska’s Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac and Command Sgt. Maj. Marty Baker.
“Being the first time we’ve ever done that as a troop, that was awesome,” Nakai added.
Because of the training requirements unique to an infantry brigade combat team cavalry squadron, the 1-134th is helping to build a strong relationship between the Nebraska National Guard and the active duty base which is home to the 1st Infantry Division.
“We have a great relationship with Fort Riley and the 1st Infantry Division,” Nakai said. “And we have a great relationship with range control. They’ve gone out of their way to make us feel comfortable while we’re down here.”
Other training events conducted at Fort Riley with the 1-134th Cavalry included multiple weapons qualifications, live grenade throws, individually structured training for the units snipers, mounted .50-calibre turret machine gun training aboard moving Humvees and more.
“Everyone’s been pleased with the amount of time they’ve had behind the trigger,” Nakai said.
Joining the 1-134th Cavalry’s team this year was Company D, 39th Brigade Support Battalion, which stood up earlier this year as part of the Nebraska Army National Guard’s statewide transformation. Nakai said this newest - and much appreciated - addition contributed greatly to smoother workflow processes, high morale and keeping efficient mission schedules by having skilled individuals readily available to support the rest of the squadron’s Soldiers.
Nakai said he feels this year’s annual training was just the start of a great partnership with Fort Riley. By the end of the two-week mission, the 1st Infantry Division had put in personal requests for additional weapons systems for the Nebraska Soldiers, and facilitated planning for more training events on the base in the future.
“We couldn’t ask for a better relationship than what we have with this post right here,” Nakai said.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2017
• Date Posted: 12.12.2017 11:21
• Story ID: 258402
• Location: LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US