Courtesy Photo | More than 3,800 Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Road guards in blue physical training belts managed traffic, leading convoys of tactical vehicles across intersections to staging areas for eventual loading onto railcars. The black Phoenix emblem freshly stenciled on the sides of the vehicles signified the final moments before the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division deploys for an upcoming training rotation at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.
More than 3,800 Soldiers from the 3rd BCT, including supporting elements from units across Fort Carson, spent the final weeks of October preparing vehicles and equipment to deploy to NTC for an upcoming rotation at the combat training center.
"Our goal is to make sure we are fully functioning as a combat unit and training for our role as we advise and assist," said Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Williams, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
"The Soldiers are very motivated," Williams said. "About 30 percent are new Soldiers that have never been to NTC."
The Soldiers of 3rd BCT demonstrated their motivation preparing, inspecting and rail loading 1,170 tactical vehicles to be shipped by train from Fort Carson to NTC, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Laramore, 3rd BCT Mobility officer in charge of developing the planning and timeline of the rail load operations.
"By far, this is one of the smoothest operations I've participated in," said Laramore, who has conducted 12 rail load operations in his career, including four at the Mountain Post.
Laramore said many of the units from Fort Carson, such as the 573rd Movement Control Team, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, who helped in the effort by inspecting and validating cargo preparations, proved to be valuable resources for the "Iron" Brigade as it prepares for the rotation to the combat training center.
The rail load operations were completed in the last week of October without any safety violations or incidents, said Williams.
"This is attributed to leader involvement," said Williams, who also talked about the required morning safety briefs and emphasis on Soldier visibility. "Leadership is always on the ground."
The Soldiers of 3rd BCT are tentatively scheduled to depart Fort Carson for NTC in the final days of October, and after three weeks of intensive training in preparation for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, will return in time to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2009 18:50 |
| Story ID: | 41109 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 140 |
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