Photo By Staff Sgt. Justin Martin | Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) Spc. Kenneth Elbert Fane, an automated logistical...... read more read more
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CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - The Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise is underway at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and safety stands as a major priority for the Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG).
This capstone training exercise ensures the readiness of Soldiers to conduct their duties in wartime scenarios, testing Soldiers’ reactions to simulated exercises. Close to 5,000 FLARNG Soldiers reported to Camp Shelby mid-July 2024, thrusting themselves into 134,000 acres of training grounds.
The 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team performs daily evaluations and risk assessments at XCTC, ensuring the warfighting capability and safety of its Soldiers is never compromised.
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Brown, squadron commander of the 1-153rd Cavalry Regiment, has been with his Soldiers since the beginning of XCTC.
“The Florida National Guard is doing a great job at making sure that every individual soldier has what they need,” said Brown.
Heat conditions may render a training scenario inert if proper precautions are not taken to protect Soldiers’ health and ability to function as a team.
“It’s hot, and it’s to be expected at an exercise like this," said Brown. "It’s intended to simulate what we’ll see.”
In such an environment, natural factors must be taken into account by leaders at every level.
“We’re able to get ice, food, and water where it needs to be,” said Brown. “In addition, we have emergency procedures in place.”
On top of ensuring each unit has a water source at their disposal, the FLARNG has also dispersed arm immersion cooling stations to mitigate heat casualties. Arm immersion cooling stations are devices filled with ice and water, where Soldiers may submerge their arms to fight the heat.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Hayden Simms, a supply systems technician with the 356th Quartermaster Company, has worked to keep units participating in XCTC supplied with everything they need, including safety equipment.
“Sustainment and supply are vital parts of any wartime scenario,” said Simms.
“The most important part of the mission is making sure your troops are well-supplied and well-fed,” said Simms. “I take that personally as our job here in the field.”
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2024 21:06 |
| Story ID: | 477098 |
| Location: | HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Florida National Guard sustains Soldiers at XCTC, by SPC Alexander Helman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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