Soldiers make the difference in the Army's first Stryker Brigade

11.01.2004

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Soldiers make the difference in the Army's first Stryker Brigade
By Spc. Blair Larson

The Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Arrowhead Brigade Combat Team) made history as the Army's first Stryker Brigade to fight in combat. Throughout their year-long deployment to Iraq, the Army's newest vehicle and its highly-trained Stryker Soldiers have proven themselves to be the flexible, maneuverable force the Army envisioned.

The Arrowhead Brigade is the first of six planned Stryker brigades. Based in Fort Lewis, Wash., the 3-2 Inf. became part of a new Army initiative to establish a unit that could bridge the operational gap between slow to deploy heavy forces and underpowered light forces. With more than 3,600 Soldiers and 300 vehicles, the brigade is capable of conducting a wide range of military operations in various settings.

The brigade deployed to Iraq with eight battalions, the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment; 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment; 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment; 296th Brigade Support Battalion and the 276th Engineer Battalion. Also organic to the brigade is the 18th Engineer Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 209th Military Intelligence Company, 334th Signal Company, Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment, 1060th Tactical Psyops Detachment and 1290th Tactical Psyops Detachment.

Traditional infantry brigades are only organized with these different units for large training exercises or for war. In the brigade, these units are organic and are able to train together year-round.

Though the new Stryker vehicle is important, the highly-trained Stryker Soldiers are the ones who have made the unit a success.

"The Stryker Brigade is not about the vehicle, it's about the Soldiers and the non-commissioned officers and officers," said Lt. Col. Buck James, commander of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. "We are building the next generation of leaders and preparing for the future of the Army."

The Soldiers spent nearly three years training to become familiar with the new Stryker vehicles. They underwent an operational evaluation and certification to prepare for this deployment. The Arrowhead Soldiers endured back-to-back, intense training at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., in the year before they deployed.

"Our Soldiers are hardened from three years of nothing but training and focusing on our mission, whether it was in a training environment or a combat environment," said Col. Michael Rounds, 3rd Brigade Commander.

The training was meant to assess the brigade's ability to conduct early entry and combat operations in a mid-to low-intensity environment against an unconventional enemy.

"Ever since we completed JRTC, we believed that we could succeed in combat," said Sgt. Rob Williams from Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. "We have a lot of young specialists and sergeants who really make the difference in our ability to shoot, move and communicate."

The nation focused on the first brigade to use the Stryker vehicle in combat as, time after time, the Stryker vehicle took a punch and continued to fight, proving itself as a significant addition to the Army's force.

"I was impressed with its capabilities during training, but it's difficult to imagine its capabilities until you put it to the types of tests we see here every day," said Rounds.

In many ways this deployment was a test to see how the SBCT would hold up in combat. The Soldiers of 3-2 SBCT met the challenge, continually focusing on ways to more effectively make use of the brigade's numerous capabilities. They've revised their tactical procedures according to lessons learned in the field from previous engagements. As the first SBCT in combat, they have set the standard for the units that will follow them.

"We literally wrote the book on how to use the vehicle in combat," said 1st Lt. Nick Kardonsky, the executive officer for Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.

With organic snipers, mortarmen, anti-armor sections as well as heavy machine guns, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team has given leaders an enormous amount of flexibility in the way they lead troops in combat.

"As a Stryker platoon leader you've got so many assets at your disposal that you just don't find in a light or mechanized unit," said Kardonsky.

In one year, the brigade operated in a larger area than what they had expected prior to coming to Iraq. They were called on to support major operations when violence heated up in Al Kut, Tal Afar and Najaf. In each of these cases, a battalion of Stryker Soldiers packed up and moved within 24-72 hours, reacting quickly and accomplishing the mission decisively.

"Doing these extra missions was not standard for us but within our capabilities," said Rounds.

The Stryker Brigade was called upon for these extra missions because commanders in Iraq took notice of the success the brigade was having with the vehicle in northern Iraq. Its advantages of speed and mobility made it a valuable asset to the commanders on the ground.

"We were chosen for these missions because of the outstanding tactical mobility and agility the Stryker has. We have the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly," said James.

The Stryker was designed to operate in an urban environment. It is large enough to carry a whole squad of infantrymen, unlike the Bradley vehicle, which will only hold half of a squad. It buzzes through the city streets on eight wheels instead of tracks, which are much quieter.

The Stryker Brigade is an infantry-centric unit of highly skilled Soldiers. By the time the unit deployed last November, it was the most-trained unit to come to Iraq, due to its rigorous schedule.

"Even though we were confident in the Stryker's abilities, it still takes people to make it a reality," said Rounds. "We have great Soldiers and leaders who are always doing the right thing at the right time and making a difference in the parts of Iraq we've been asked to fight in," said Rounds.

The Soldiers of the Arrowhead Brigade worked non-stop conducting missions from infantry raids to humanitarian assistance. According to Rounds, it is the incredible effort on the part of the Soldiers and leaders each day that has contributed to the success of the brigade.

"These young Soldiers are incredibly impressive and adaptable," said Lt. Col. Karl Reed, commander of 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. "Their ability to be in a situation and adapt to it and out-think and outfight the enemy is incredible."

During the brigade's deployment, a number of Stryker Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice while doing their part to support freedom in Iraq. The legacy of those Soldiers will not be forgotten by those they left behind.

"As Soldiers we understand that we are fighting for our country and for freedom, but we also fight for each other," said Rounds. "The deaths of Soldiers reinforce in our minds that what we're doing here is right and we will work to honor their memory by bringing this mission to a close."

• Date Taken: 11.01.2004
• Date Posted: 11.01.2004 14:19
• Story ID: 559