Photo By Senior Airman Matt Porter | U.S. Army Pfc. Caleb Bjorn, 102nd Infantry Regiment infantryman, provides overwatch...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST N.J. – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Connecticut National Guard 102nd Infantry Regiment conducted a platoon live-fire exercise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Feb. 1, 2025. The exercise played a critical part of the battalion validation process, marking a significant milestone for both their training cycle and pre-deployment phase.
The primary objective of the exercise was for each platoon to execute multiple iterations of a tactical mission in preparation for the final live-fire event. During these simulations, Soldiers engaged targets with live rounds while maneuvering to secure a key objective point.
“Platoon live-fire exercises with battalion validations are critical to the success of our company training cycle,” said Capt. Russel Gong, 102nd Inf. Reg. company commander. “We've trained our Soldiers first on the individual level, and then at the team and squad levels. Platoon live-fire exercises are the capstone of all previous training, and they give the battalion an opportunity to ensure that platoons successfully complete missions, to standard, at each echelon.”
The training initially required that soldiers establish communication systems, set up facilities and validate targets with Army Support Activity Fort Dix range personnel. They then focused on mission planning, conducting rehearsals and inspecting equipment to ensure compliance with the live-fire culmination event.
“Our first iteration was a dry run where we completed the mission in its entirety, from leaving the assembly area to reconsolidating on the objective, however no munitions were expended at that time for safety considerations,” Gong explained. “The next iteration used blank rounds, which allowed us to safely refine our tactics before we incorporated the live rounds.”
Once tactics were refined, Soldiers executed live-fire iterations while engaging targets with M4 carbine assault rifles. These exercises were also repeated at night to ensure the Soldiers’ ability to operate in low-visibility environments.
While one platoon conducted live-fire exercises, the others participated in a force-on-force mission using a multiple integrated laser engagement system, which signals when a Soldier has sustained a hit from a nonlethal round.
This utility provided instant feedback, simulating battlefield casualties and allowed Soldiers to train on casualty care. While one platoon established a defensive position, another conducted an attack, requiring quick decision-making and adaptability in real time.
The exercises also provided valuable experience for platoon leaders as they worked with various innovative assets, including new unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
“Enhancing our exercise with MILES and UAS components helped us paint a more accurate picture of the battlefield for our command and efficiently prepared us to take the objective through live-fire,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Gregory Reid, 102nd Inf. Reg. first sergeant. “While we realized we need to tighten our shot group in certain areas, I was incredibly pleased with the smoothness of the operation. The 102nd were able to successfully train and validate their forward observers and all organic infantry personnel.”
Innovating long-established processes is key to creating the ‘Army of 2030,’ a multiyear plan designed to transition from a counter-insurgency–optimized force toward a force prepared for the challenges of any major power conflict.
“I’m filled with immense pride when I think about what these men accomplished,” said Gong. “Throughout long days and nights trudging through freezing conditions, they displayed the resiliency and tenacity that embodies the warrior ethos.”
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2025 14:03 |
| Story ID: | 491013 |
| Location: | NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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