Fort Bliss Monitor

Spc. Brooks Fletcher

‘Ready and Vigilant’ Soldiers push a generator into position.

Getting the dust off
HHB 31st ADA holds FTX

Spc. Brooks Fletcher
31st ADA Brigade Public Affairs

After exploration by the reconnaissance, surveillance and occupation of position team who verified grid coordinates using precise communication between checkpoints, a tactical convoy of Soldiers from a unit navigated the diverse terrain, arriving at the prearranged site to begin their critical training.

The ‘Ready and Vigilant’ Brigade’s Headquarters, Headquarters Battery conducted a field training exercise at McGregor Range, N.M., Sept. 26 through 29.

The training was designed to increase the Soldiers knowledge on, not only field operations like site setup, but re-emphasizing many common task trainings.

With the steadily increasing operation tempo the unit has experienced, it has been over a year an a half since the entire battery has been to the field.

But, in light of the recent departure of 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, and the requisition of 4-5 ADA and 6-52 ADA some of the dust has cleared allowing the brigade time to incorporate the field training into their schedule.

The training operation was broken down into five different phases.

During the first phase, key leaders conducted a site reconnaissance.

Phase two followed with pre-deployment checks and inspections. Among this event, the battery conducted preventative maintenance care and services on all vehicles and equipment, ensuring proper functionality. Also, a communications check between all of the vehicle’s radios and a rock drill rehearsal for convoy operations were performed.

The third phase was the actual deployment. Vehicles parked in serial convoy order, an order pre-determined for maximum efficiency during the convoy.

The fourth phase, and heart of the training, was the site establishment and training.

This phase began with the setup of the brigade’s tactical operations center, communications, sleeping area and the site defense plan, just a few sections that made up the training site.

Cooks from the brigade provided hot meals through the use of an innovative mobile kitchen and dining tent, Soldiers from 108th ADA Brigade’s 2-43 ADA lent a helping hand by assisting the brigade establish communications through an antenna mass group.

In addition, if any medical issues were to arise, a medic from the 31st Combat Support Hospital was on site to respond.

Throughout the daily trainings, Soldiers conducted multiple common task trainings, from proper procedures for using their gas mask, to night time operations, which involved driving while wearing night visions goggles, all while reacting accordingly and promptly to random mock-neurobiological chemical and ground attacks by gathering at a rally point or manning their fighting positions.

“This is just a crawl phase,” said First Sgt. Marc Shultz. “The intent is to put Soldiers back into the swing of field trainings.”

During the final phase of the operation, redeployment and recovery, breakdown of the training site and preparation for the convoy back to Fort Bliss with the successful recovery and accountability of all equipment and sensitive.

The week-long recovery ends today as Soldiers prepare for an inspection, after cleaning, organizing, and ensuring proper management all accountable items, equipment and vehicles.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Oct. 5. 2006

	Spc. Brooks Fletcher ‘Ready and Vigilant’ Soldiers push a generator into position. Getting the dust off HHB 31st ADA holds FTX Spc. Brooks Fletcher 31st ADA Brigade Public Affairs After exploration by the reconnaissance, surveillance and occupation of position team who verified grid coordinates using precise communication between checkpoints, a tactical convoy of Soldiers from a unit navigated the diverse terrain, arriving at the prearranged site to begin their critical training. The ‘Ready and Vigilant’ Brigade’s Headquarters, Headquarters Battery conducted a field training exercise at McGregor Range, N.M., Sept. 26 through 29. The training was designed to increase the Soldiers knowledge on, not only field operations like site setup, but re-emphasizing many common task trainings. With the steadily increasing operation tempo the unit has experienced, it has been over a year an a half since the entire battery has been to the field. But, in light of the recent departure of 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, and the requisition of 4-5 ADA and 6-52 ADA some of the dust has cleared allowing the brigade time to incorporate the field training into their schedule. The training operation was broken down into five different phases. During the first phase, key leaders conducted a site reconnaissance. Phase two followed with pre-deployment checks and inspections. Among this event, the battery conducted preventative maintenance care and services on all vehicles and equipment, ensuring proper functionality. Also, a communications check between all of the vehicle’s radios and a rock drill rehearsal for convoy operations were performed. The third phase was the actual deployment. Vehicles parked in serial convoy order, an order pre-determined for maximum efficiency during the convoy. The fourth phase, and heart of the training, was the site establishment and training. This phase began with the setup of the brigade’s tactical operations center, communications, sleeping area and the site defense plan, just a few sections that made up the training site. Cooks from the brigade provided hot meals through the use of an innovative mobile kitchen and dining tent, Soldiers from 108th ADA Brigade’s 2-43 ADA lent a helping hand by assisting the brigade establish communications through an antenna mass group. In addition, if any medical issues were to arise, a medic from the 31st Combat Support Hospital was on site to respond. Throughout the daily trainings, Soldiers conducted multiple common task trainings, from proper procedures for using their gas mask, to night time operations, which involved driving while wearing night visions goggles, all while reacting accordingly and promptly to random mock-neurobiological chemical and ground attacks by gathering at a rally point or manning their fighting positions. “This is just a crawl phase,” said First Sgt. Marc Shultz. “The intent is to put Soldiers back into the swing of field trainings.” During the final phase of the operation, redeployment and recovery, breakdown of the training site and preparation for the convoy back to Fort Bliss with the successful recovery and accountability of all equipment and sensitive. The week-long recovery ends today as Soldiers prepare for an inspection, after cleaning, organizing, and ensuring proper management all accountable items, equipment and vehicles.