Photo By Scott Sturkol | Soldiers with the 409th Vertical Construction Company of Windsor, Colo., work on a...... read more read more
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More than 30 Soldiers with the 409th Vertical Construction Company of Windsor, Colo., completed a troop project to install new parking lot lighting at Fort McCoy as part of training in the 86th Training Division’s Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-18-04.
The exercise took place from June 9-29 at the installation with more than 6,000 service members overall participating. The 86th held the exercise as part of the 84th Training Command. During training year 2018, the 84th is hosting four CSTXs and a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response exercise. CSTX 86-18-04 was the first of two CSTXs that will take place at Fort McCoy this year.
Also, according to the 84th, a CSTX is part of its Combat Support Training Program (CSTP). CSTP exercises are large-scale training exercises where units-of-action experience tactical training scenarios specifically designed to replicate real-world missions.
Staff Sgt. Chad Spencer, noncommissioned officer in charge with the 409th during CSTX, said putting in the lighting at building 2173 was his unit’s main project for the exercise.
“Every time we worked (on the project), we had about 29 people on site,” Spencer said. “It worked out very well and was good training.”
The company installed several light poles, which included not only installing the poles but also all of the ground infrastructure and wiring.
“We had some challenges with heavy rain after digging all of the channels for the wiring, but we found a way to remove the water and get the work done,” Spencer said.
The 409th Soldiers used various types of equipment to complete their work, including hand tools as well as a skid steer with various attachments. Throughout the time they worked on the project, the Soldiers also stayed in field conditions at a training area on North Post.
“Everyone did well working together during this training,” said Sgt. 1st Class Donald Ransom, platoon sergeant for the 409th.
Larry Morrow, Fort McCoy troop projects coordinator with the Directorate of Public Works, said completing troop projects this is very important to the installation and the units that complete them.
“If we didn’t have these projects, many troops wouldn’t get the training they need, and the post wouldn’t benefit from the work they do to improve Fort McCoy training ranges and quality-of-life programs,” he said.
The parking lot lighting was just one of many troop projects to take place at Fort McCoy during CSTX 86-18-04. More are planned for another CSTX taking place on post in August, Morrow said.
Fort McCoy has supported America’s armed forces since 1909. The installation’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” The post’s varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure, combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2018 10:56 |
| Story ID: | 283027 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Hometown: | WINDSOR, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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