Fort Bliss Monitor

MRE complete
Soldiers of 35th, 2-1 ADA validated for Korea

Spc. Lewis Hilburn
Special to The Monitor

Pfc. Theresa Baker calls for a medic to treat a simulated casualty during the 35th ADA Bde. and 2nd Bn., 1st ADA MRE.

Soldiers transport a wounded enemy prisoner of war to the EPW holding area.

High mobility, multi-purpose wheel-ed vehicles, five-ton trucks, Patriot missile launchers and other vehicles carrying equipment and personnel rolled across the desert landscape early Monday. Upon arrival at their destination, Soldiers moved quickly to set up the encampment that would be their home for the following days. Camou-flage netting went up, concertina wire was laid out along the perimeter and vehicles and personnel were set into place. This would set the stage for a two-week Mission Rehearsal Exercise.

Soldiers of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and 2nd Battalion, 1st ADA conducted an MRE Aug. 9 thru the 18th in preparation for their move to Korea later this year.

This MRE consisted of three phases according to Maj. Lonnie McNair, assistant S-3 of 35th ADA Bde. The first phase was Standardized Patriot Engagement Assessment Readiness, the second phase was Standardized Air Battle Evaluation Readiness and the third phase was the MRE.

“SPEAR focuses on the air defense fire control crews air battle operations. SABER integrates the battery command post and the battalion and brigade tactical operation centers with the air battle operations, focusing on exercising command and control. MRE integrates the remaining core Soldier-related field craft skills that are associated with force protection and sustaining operation basically, each week builds upon the previous,” he said.

According to the 2-1 Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Tom Nguyen, the MRE provides an opportunity for Soldiers to take the lessons learned from SPEAR and SABER weeks training and incorporate it into a field exercise environment. “The MRE exercise design and scenario closely mirrors the tasks and functions that our unit must perform in the Korean Theater,” he said.

Early on the morning of Aug. 9 the Brigade and Battalion received scenario- driven orders taking them to McGregor Range, which was used to simulate the Republic of South Korea. Upon receiving the orders, units deployed personnel and equipment to the training sites to start the third and final phase MRE.

While at the training sites Soldiers of the brigade and battalion were subjected to several different scenarios to assess the Soldiers’ readiness. Soldiers were tested on basic Soldiering skills such as donning their Mission Oriented Protective Posture in nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. Soldiers dug individual fighting positions. Five-ton trucks with MK-19, an automatic grenade launcher, and M2 (.50-cal.) weapons mounted on top were set up and strategically placed to provide optimal security. “We are planning to enhance our air defense and field craft-related skills in order to become a more capable combat-ready force. Our training is incorporating events and scenarios that we might encoun-ter within the Korean theater of operations,” McNair said.

Scenarios such as Civilians on the Battlefield, probing the perimeter and Enemy Prisoner of War were used to help validate mission readiness. COB scenarios place civilians on the battlefield and, depending on the scenario, Soldiers have to react according to each event.

In one scenario, which was played out during this exercise, the mayor of the local town the Soldiers were assigned to protect and his delegates came to bless the ground and Soldiers. In another scenario, the opposing force would probe the perimeter in night attacks while Soldiers had to protect their perimeter from a possible enemy invasion.

This scenario was used to determine the weak points in the units’ perimeter and correct them. EPW training consists of when the enemy approaches a unit’s encampment, with the intention of surrendering, Soldiers of the unit were to react according to the Rules of Engage-ment and treat the enemy Soldier as a prisoner. When the enemy Soldier gave himself up for capture Soldiers are to search for any hidden contraband and possible enemy documents. When it was deemed the enemy Soldier has been thoroughly searched, he was transported to enemy holding cell until further notice. “I think it added a more realistic environment for the training. With the scenarios coming unexpectedly and being anything from people begging for food to ground assaults, the Soldiers had no idea what was coming or when,” Staff Sgt. Dave Enders, 35th Bde. Public Affairs Office, said.

First Sgt. Tom Strickland greets the civilians that were allowed inside his perimeter.

These scenarios helped assess the units’ reaction, but other scenarios were implemented to see how the units performed, such as jumping from one location to the next. When a unit would jump, thorough planning had to be conducted in order to ensure a safe and successful jump. They would map out their course of action and determine the possible risks involved in the route. Many variables, like weather and terrain, go into planning these missions.

According to Enders, this MRE was amazing because a lot of the Soldiers were new to the brigade and battalion. “The batteries throughout 2-1 began their preparations for the deployment with roughly 50 percent new personnel and nearly as much changeover in equipment. Virtually none of the crews had worked together before, and many were working with unfamiliar equipment. Think about that. For two or three people to work together effectively as a team and perform complicated tasks to a time standard, they must know what to expect from each other.

And, even though they’ve been trained on this type of equipment, each launcher station is a little different from another – they had to learn that too. These Soldiers had almost no time to learn how one another worked and to get a feel for their equipment, yet they went to the field repeatedly qualifying. They’ve pulled off a small miracle,” he said.

During a simulated night attack Soldiers of D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery defend their perimeter.

Enders said Soldiers maintained a positive attitude throughout the exercise. Even though they had a lack of sleep and were working about 20 hours a day. “I saw many of the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers working several days without sleep in order to accomplish the mission,” he said.

The MRE, which was supposed to last until the 20th of August, ended two days earlier than expected. Enders said the brigade trains to standard and not to time. “Our Soldiers have been training throughout the summer to prepare for the MRE, and their hard work paid off. We returned early from the field because the Soldiers successfully completed and were validated in all their tasks,” he said.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 19, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	MRE complete Soldiers of 35th, 2-1 ADA validated for Korea Spc. Lewis Hilburn Special to The Monitor Pfc. Theresa Baker calls for a medic to treat a simulated casualty during the 35th ADA Bde. and 2nd Bn., 1st ADA MRE. Soldiers transport a wounded enemy prisoner of war to the EPW holding area. High mobility, multi-purpose wheel-ed vehicles, five-ton trucks, Patriot missile launchers and other vehicles carrying equipment and personnel rolled across the desert landscape early Monday. Upon arrival at their destination, Soldiers moved quickly to set up the encampment that would be their home for the following days. Camou-flage netting went up, concertina wire was laid out along the perimeter and vehicles and personnel were set into place. This would set the stage for a two-week Mission Rehearsal Exercise. Soldiers of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and 2nd Battalion, 1st ADA conducted an MRE Aug. 9 thru the 18th in preparation for their move to Korea later this year. This MRE consisted of three phases according to Maj. Lonnie McNair, assistant S-3 of 35th ADA Bde. The first phase was Standardized Patriot Engagement Assessment Readiness, the second phase was Standardized Air Battle Evaluation Readiness and the third phase was the MRE. “SPEAR focuses on the air defense fire control crews air battle operations. SABER integrates the battery command post and the battalion and brigade tactical operation centers with the air battle operations, focusing on exercising command and control. MRE integrates the remaining core Soldier-related field craft skills that are associated with force protection and sustaining operation basically, each week builds upon the previous,” he said. According to the 2-1 Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Tom Nguyen, the MRE provides an opportunity for Soldiers to take the lessons learned from SPEAR and SABER weeks training and incorporate it into a field exercise environment. “The MRE exercise design and scenario closely mirrors the tasks and functions that our unit must perform in the Korean Theater,” he said. Early on the morning of Aug. 9 the Brigade and Battalion received scenario- driven orders taking them to McGregor Range, which was used to simulate the Republic of South Korea. Upon receiving the orders, units deployed personnel and equipment to the training sites to start the third and final phase MRE. While at the training sites Soldiers of the brigade and battalion were subjected to several different scenarios to assess the Soldiers’ readiness. Soldiers were tested on basic Soldiering skills such as donning their Mission Oriented Protective Posture in nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. Soldiers dug individual fighting positions. Five-ton trucks with MK-19, an automatic grenade launcher, and M2 (.50-cal.) weapons mounted on top were set up and strategically placed to provide optimal security. “We are planning to enhance our air defense and field craft-related skills in order to become a more capable combat-ready force. Our training is incorporating events and scenarios that we might encoun-ter within the Korean theater of operations,” McNair said. Scenarios such as Civilians on the Battlefield, probing the perimeter and Enemy Prisoner of War were used to help validate mission readiness. COB scenarios place civilians on the battlefield and, depending on the scenario, Soldiers have to react according to each event. In one scenario, which was played out during this exercise, the mayor of the local town the Soldiers were assigned to protect and his delegates came to bless the ground and Soldiers. In another scenario, the opposing force would probe the perimeter in night attacks while Soldiers had to protect their perimeter from a possible enemy invasion. This scenario was used to determine the weak points in the units’ perimeter and correct them. EPW training consists of when the enemy approaches a unit’s encampment, with the intention of surrendering, Soldiers of the unit were to react according to the Rules of Engage-ment and treat the enemy Soldier as a prisoner. When the enemy Soldier gave himself up for capture Soldiers are to search for any hidden contraband and possible enemy documents. When it was deemed the enemy Soldier has been thoroughly searched, he was transported to enemy holding cell until further notice. “I think it added a more realistic environment for the training. With the scenarios coming unexpectedly and being anything from people begging for food to ground assaults, the Soldiers had no idea what was coming or when,” Staff Sgt. Dave Enders, 35th Bde. Public Affairs Office, said. First Sgt. Tom Strickland greets the civilians that were allowed inside his perimeter. These scenarios helped assess the units’ reaction, but other scenarios were implemented to see how the units performed, such as jumping from one location to the next. When a unit would jump, thorough planning had to be conducted in order to ensure a safe and successful jump. They would map out their course of action and determine the possible risks involved in the route. Many variables, like weather and terrain, go into planning these missions. According to Enders, this MRE was amazing because a lot of the Soldiers were new to the brigade and battalion. “The batteries throughout 2-1 began their preparations for the deployment with roughly 50 percent new personnel and nearly as much changeover in equipment. Virtually none of the crews had worked together before, and many were working with unfamiliar equipment. Think about that. For two or three people to work together effectively as a team and perform complicated tasks to a time standard, they must know what to expect from each other. And, even though they’ve been trained on this type of equipment, each launcher station is a little different from another – they had to learn that too. These Soldiers had almost no time to learn how one another worked and to get a feel for their equipment, yet they went to the field repeatedly qualifying. They’ve pulled off a small miracle,” he said. During a simulated night attack Soldiers of D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery defend their perimeter. Enders said Soldiers maintained a positive attitude throughout the exercise. Even though they had a lack of sleep and were working about 20 hours a day. “I saw many of the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers working several days without sleep in order to accomplish the mission,” he said. The MRE, which was supposed to last until the 20th of August, ended two days earlier than expected. Enders said the brigade trains to standard and not to time. “Our Soldiers have been training throughout the summer to prepare for the MRE, and their hard work paid off. We returned early from the field because the Soldiers successfully completed and were validated in all their tasks,” he said.