Photo By Cpl. Hannah Baker | Soldiers of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania...... read more read more
FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Soldiers from the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, return from the field at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California Aug. 17.
Soldiers crowded around the sinks at the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area (RUBA), in cantonment, splashing running water on their faces. There’s a tangible air of excitement as they cheer and holler to one another, giddy about their return from two weeks in the field.
“I thought I got a tan, but I think it’s just dirt,” yelled one Soldier, scrubbing at her hands and face as members of her unit burst into laughter.
The Soldiers spent their days in “the box,” a training area in the Mojave Desert nearly the size of Rhode Island, in an austere environment with temperatures reaching triple digits. In addition to these harsh elements, the Soldiers had little sleep, no running water, no hot meals, and a constant threat of a skilled opposing force.
It was here that they trained in decisive-action strategies, combined arms maneuvers, and live-fire exercises.
“This is definitely something we needed,” said Sgt. James Quinn, an infantryman with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th SBCT and West Chester, Pennsylvania native. “This place shakes down every improvement you need. It leaves no stone unturned.”
Quinn said the training environment enhanced communication skills, as well as infantry skills for his unit.
Sgt. 1st Class Norman Beers, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant with the 2-104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th SBCT, also felt the training was integral for his unit’s readiness.
“This was definitely one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced since I joined the unit three years ago,” said Beers. “It was a chance to work together as a troop, something we don’t do often. Even working together as a full brigade – that’s something we’ve never done before, so it was cool seeing all the pieces come together.”
Cpl. Devon Knobbe, a cavalry scout in Beer’s platoon, said NTC was his first real field training experience as a gunner. He said his biggest takeaway was the importance of time management in such a fast-paced environment.
“There was a real balance to learn among training, cleaning weapons, taking care of your Soldiers, and finding time to sleep,” said Knobbe.
“I just can’t wait to take a shower, and go home and get married,” exclaimed Knobbe with a grin. Knobbe said his wedding was scheduled for the day of his return from NTC.
While the Soldiers’ spirits were high as they returned from the field to the comforts of cantonment, their mission was far from complete.
Sgt. 1st Class James Noss, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 56th SBCT said his main priority once arriving to RUBA was to get accountability of all of his unit’s sensitive items.
Units worked all day, into the late hours of the following morning. By the light of their tactical vehicles, they accounted for sensitive equipment and loaded their gear into connexes to ship back to their home duty stations.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2018 23:44 |
| Story ID: | 289393 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 705 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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