JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – More than 220 sailors, soldiers, Navy and DoD civilians and contractors participated in the Joint Task Force Paladin 2012 Culminating Training Event at the Mission Command Training Complex at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 16-27.
The CTE is a joint Navy Expeditionary Training Group and Army 20th Support Command led certification event that aligns with and supports Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and 20th SUPCOM directives. This is the final training event for units deploying to Afghanistan to participate in the counter improvised explosive device work with Task Force Paladin.
The event’s primary training audiences were headquarters staffs from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 and the Army’s 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion.
“We’ve achieved unprecedented levels of coordination between the Army and Navy in preparing these forces to deploy,” said Capt. Mike Napolitano, ETG’s commanding officer. “Previously, we’ve done this but it just hasn’t been as effective from the integration standpoint and I think we’ve achieved that this time.”
The exercise consisted of several operationally realistic and relevant training scenarios designed to familiarize, rehearse and contribute to the preparation of personnel scheduled to deploy and be assigned to the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan.
“Exercises like this help to eliminate some of the communication barriers and help us to build working relationships now that will occur later on once we’re down range,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Patric Standley, Army 3rd OD BN (EOD).
Personnel involved completed several exercise objectives, including establishing and organizing coalition and joint EOD/CIED forces, providing tactical command and control of EOD/CIED forces, and providing operational logistics and personnel support.
“One of the primary objectives of this evolution was to get personnel without experience mixed with personnel who have experience to help better prepare them when they go forward,” said Napolitano. “We’ve basically replicated the battle rhythm that they’re going to have while they’re over there, which requires personnel to do analysis, create products and provide briefing to senior leadership, as well as to coordinate with adjacent commands and higher headquarters.”
Although this is the fourth training event within the last two years, Doug Marshall, one of the CTE exercise coordinators, said this exercise had been completely revamped. The new exercise included more complex training scenarios, more personnel involved, and on-scene subject-matter-experts, who are currently serving in theater.
“The training received during this exercise is invaluable,” said Lt. Col. Frank Davis, 3rd OD BN (EOD) battalion commander. “We have an opportunity to utilize subject matter experts and we’re working on scenarios for something could occur.”
The event concluded with a final brief and evaluation.
“I was very pleased with how the event went overall. We’ve had a lot of help putting this together and it was a true team effort,” said Napolitano.
ETG is part of NECC and an enduring force providing capability across the full range of military operations in the maritime strategy to include forward presence, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, sea control and power projection and deterrence.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2012 15:18 |
| Story ID: | 88521 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 311 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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