Scenario based training increases lethality

Photo By Christoph Koppers | U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment engage targets with an M777A2 howitzer during a direct fire exercise at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, August 08, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Christoph Koppers)  

GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, GERMANY

09.13.2018

Courtesy Story

2d Cavalry Regiment

Written by Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Collins, Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment

Bulldog Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment once again reminded the Grafenwoehr, Germany community of why field artillery is the “King of Battle.” During the FA Table VI crew certifications at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Aug. 8, 2018, Bulldog Battery successfully combined the direct fire portion of the semi-annual section certification requirements with individual and collective training to execute a training event that was truly exceptional and unique.

“Scenario based training is essential to developing well rounded Soldiers and leaders that are capable of using mission command while operating in a complex environment,” said Capt. Ken Ridge, commander, Bravo Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR. “As field artillerymen, our primary function is to provide indirect fires, but it is vital that we train and maintain our ability to protect ourselves from any threat on the battlefield; the ability to accurately detect, identify and engage enemy threats with direct fire is a core defensive skill that we cannot neglect.”

To hone their defense and survivability on the modern battlefield, the Bulldogs developed a scenario based event that not only tested their ability to engage and destroy enemy armor assets with direct fire but also exercised their ability to identify enemy threats and accurately communicate with platoon and battery leadership to prevent fratricide.

“Many of our NATO partners use Russian equipment that can be difficult to identify as friendly or foe, so it is imperative to maintain situational awareness on the battlefield,” said 1st Lt. Joseph Garcia, platoon leader, 1st Platoon, Bulldog Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR.

The Soldiers of Bulldog Battery completed the direct fire training to the highest standard while generating understanding at all levels of leadership. The next step for the Bulldogs will be to incorporate night vision devices into their scenario based training to ‘Own the Night’. Leader development is a process and the Bulldogs continue to refine their training to meet the needs of the Soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of 2CR.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2018
• Date Posted: 09.13.2018 07:43
• Story ID: 292560
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE