Photo By Sgt. Bernabe Lopez | A column of armored vehicles with the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Georgia – The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID), conducted a series of exercises known as Spartan Focus, a multifaceted preparation for their upcoming participation in Marne Focus. These exercises are designed to enhance readiness through a combination of weapons qualifications, dismounted patrols, gunnery tables, sling load training and combined arms live fire exercises (CALFEX).
The exercises are significant as it integrates various assets – electronic warfare, air assets and fires support – into a realistic battlefield environment.
“The combined arms live fire exercise is crucial for going into Marne Focus”, said 1st Lt. Andrew Williard, a platoon leader with the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “It serves as a building block, helping us progress from a dry run to a live-fire exercise that will ultimately prepare us for maneuvering as a company and fighting more effectively as a battalion.”
This live fire exercise offers a dry-run experience, allowing the brigade to practice coordinating and integrating various assets before they face the complex challenges of Marne Focus. One of the main hurdles during the CALFEX is coordinating the diverse assets available, which is essential for ensuring that all components work together efficiently.
“Some of the challenges you’ll face is synchronization of these external assets, getting everyone on the same page, so to speak”, said Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Zoucha, a platoon sergeant assigned to 3rd Bn., 67th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “Integrating and synchronizing the matrix of which events happen in which order, and communication is always key during these kinds of exercises.”
The complexity of integrating multiple assets emphasizes the need for robust communication and coordination. With these events, synchronization becomes key, especially by phase of the plan to have organization. Supporting the attacking unit and ensuring everything happens in the sequence it’s supposed to – not having assets move into a battle space prior to others, and vice versa – is important. As the brigade goes into Marne Focus, they scale up another echelon and conduct battalion force on force and brigade operations.
The culmination of Spartan Focus develops trust and confidence within the battalion and external assets and shows optimism about the progress made during the events.
It’s a great transition into Marne Focus because you see what it’s going to look like, this is how we’re going to fight and it motivates everyone [to continue pushing forward]”, said Williard. “We’re here crushing it, and it’s a big confidence booster leading into the battalion level formations and it sets the mood for the rest of the exercise.”
“I'm hoping to see the Soldiers begin to excel at both external synchronization and internal to the battalion”, said Zoucha. “If we can see them scale up in echelon, going from a section to a platoon and supporting an entire battalion at once across three companies, this is something that can set [us all] up for success during the Marne Focus battle periods.”
The Spartan Focus exercises are not just about preparing for Marne Focus, but also ensuring the 2nd ABCT is ready for challenges that may arise in the future. By working through synchronization and coordination challenges now, the brigade will be better positioned to integrate assets and execute large-scale operations as a cohesive unit for the future.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2025 10:54 |
| Story ID: | 491776 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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