Photo By Maj. Scott Kuhn | A Soldier with A Company 215th BSB, 3ABCT, 1CD directs a quick reaction force (not...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, TX – The Soldiers in the 215th Brigade Support Battalion “Blacksmiths”, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a field training exercise to test new tactics for base defense on Fort Hood, June 10-13.
Instead of doing the typical Brigade Support Area, which is a large footprint with all of the commodities inside of it, the battalion is organized into smaller “base clusters” that still have the different commodities represented within them. The clusters are then established in different areas to spread out capabilities, add survivability and extend the battalion over the battlefield so it can better support the Brigade in a decisive action fight.
“We are testing this out as it is kind of a new concept in sustainment instead of doing the typical BSA,” said Lt. Col Thomas Chandler, commander, 215th Brigade Support Battalion. “It’s been talked about a lot at all different levels and it’s been looked at, but it’s never been executed fully in a brigade or at the [National Training Center] or any other training.”
215th is taking the lead in this training and plans to utilize the concept or a variation of it at the Brigade’s upcoming NTC rotation next year. To do that, the battalion expects to conduct more iterations to work out questions and set the standard that works for the Greywolf brigade.
"We are going to take what we learn here and make changes to be able to see how it works for the Greywolf Brigade,” Chandler said. “I think it’s more about getting the repetitions in as sustainers and how we do our field craft and sustain and maintain from the field and still survive and secure ourselves.”
As sustainment personnel, most Soldiers in Blacksmith spend their time turning wrenches or recovering vehicles or providing food and ammunition; supporting the force. This training allows the Blacksmith’s an opportunity to train on tasks that are not a primary focus of their day-to-day operations.
“The biggest part of why we are doing this is so our guys can understand that ‘hey we aren’t just ones who turn bolts and fix radios or print off dispatches,’” explained 1st Lt. Jack Loonam, company executive officer, B Company, 215th BSB, 3ABCT, 1CD. “We’re Soldiers first, so it’s important for our guys to come out here and get some training on sector sketches, ECPs [Entry Control Points], and how to perform guard duty; things that most combat arms Soldiers get but us as logisticians we don’t get to do as often.”
Along with the training experience, it also allows the battalion to ensure their readiness is not falling below a high standard.
“As far as readiness goes, not only does it teach us the tactical side, but also shows us how ready we are from a deployment focus,” said Capt. Jason Cooley, commander, B Co, 215th BSB, 3ABCT, 1CD. “It gives you a better feeling of personnel and the operational rate of your equipment. It gives us a real good picture of where we are readiness wise.”
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2018 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 281637 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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