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    Thousands training in 86th Training Division's CSTX 86-18-02 at Fort McCoy

    CSTX 86-18-02 Operations at Fort McCoy

    Photo By Scott Sturkol | Soldiers at Fort McCoy, Wis., for training in the 86th Training Division’s Combat...... read more read more

    The 86th Training Division at Fort McCoy is conducting Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-18-02 from Aug. 4-24 at the installation.

    The 86th is holding the exercise as part of the U.S. Army Reserve commanding general’s Combat Support Training Program (CSTP).

    Thousands of service members with the Army as well as other military services and foreign militaries are participating in the multinational exercise, including Canadian armed-forces members.

    CSTX 86-18-02 is the second of two CSTXs by the 86th taking place at Fort McCoy this year.

    Col. Ron Meredith, deputy commanding officer of the 86th Training Division, said the objective of exercises like CSTX is important.

    “Our objective … is to provide trained, ready Soldiers in the case of a war,” Meredith said in a June 2018 article written by Capt. Matthew Alken, public affairs officer for the 86th.

    According to the 84th Training Command, CSTP exercises are large-scale training exercises where units experience tactical training scenarios specifically designed to replicate real-world missions.

    “CSTP exercises prepare … Army Reserve units to be combat-ready by immersing them in realistic scenarios where they train as they would fight,” states an 84th document about the exercises.

    “These exercises are developed to improve … units’ training readiness and to assess how they perform in a dynamic operational environment.”

    Exercises also taking place along with CSTX 86-18-02 are Global Medic and Diamond Saber.

    Global Medic is an inter-service training event that provides opportunities for military medical personnel to improve their proficiencies in realistic training environments while combining forces with other service branches and national armies, according to the Army Reserve.

    Diamond Saber is an annual training exercise devoted to teaching, mentoring, and certifying Soldiers operating within the Army’s intricate financial system.

    The exercise prepares units to deploy overseas by exposing Soldiers to financial activities found in theater and combines classroom instruction with realistic training scenarios that cover a wide variety of tasks, missions, and systems.

    Brad Stewart, director of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy, said the installation is an ideal place to hold exercises like CSTX because of the many capabilities available on post.

    “We have the (observer-controller/trainers) with the 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade, and we have the right kind of communications systems, live-fire capabilities, training villages, simulation facilities, and open terrain that allows the combat support and combat service support units to train here (during CSTX),” Stewart said.

    “Fort McCoy is a great location to do this. We have built this combat training center-like environment here that really allows units to train their mission-essential tasks,” Stewart said.

    Throughout August, especially with CSTX 86-18-02 and other training taking place on post, Stewart said training numbers of personnel training on post will exceed 15,000.

    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.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.07.2018
    Date Posted: 08.07.2018 16:42
    Story ID: 287716
    Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US

    Web Views: 164
    Downloads: 0

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