Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 52nd Air and Missile Defense, place individual weight blocks underneath each tire of every vehicle passing through their motor pool station Jan. 16 as part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise. Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery.
5-52 AMD executes 96- hour mobilization exercise
Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery, 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 52nd Air and Missile Defense faced a recall Jan. 15 for a simulated, round-the-clock mission that tested their reaction ability toward a 96-hour emergency deployment readiness exercise.
The EDRE encompassed mission-essential tasks verifying accountability formations, baggage inspections, pallet builds, vehicle maintenance evaluations and air and rail load movement preparations.
“They had no notice (of the exercise start date), but these Soldiers are on the ball with the amount of work they’ve been given to do in such a short amount of time,” said 1st Lt. Jennifer Gonzalez, B Battery executive officer.
During a multi-station push through the unit’s motor pool Jan. 16, the battalion’s vehicles entered a thorough review of dispatch documentation, valid licenses, correct bumper numbers, weight calculations and hazardous material screening.
Afterward, air and rail load teams traveled to Biggs Army Airfield to prepare their equipment for a mock transport at the Rail Deployment Facility and Departure/Arrival Airfield Control Group.
“This is a great experience that teaches you to manage and control the maintenance of the equipment should you deploy,” said Gonzalez. “It gives you great insight (into the deployment process).
Soldiers from 5-52nd AMD, lock their vehicles in place Friday at the Rail Deployment Facility during a 96-hour emergency deployment readiness exercise. Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery.
“It’s getting done like it’s supposed to get done,” added Dan Covington, 11th ADA Brigade deployment support officer. “(The Soldiers) understand the importance and urgency of the mission, and they don’t take any short cuts.”
Pfc. Venerando Rapisarda, a member of Special Electronics and Devices Repair, said the EDRE provided him with a better grasp of real world mobilization operations.
“This (exercise) is pretty accurate,” he said. “The realistic training makes everything (run) smoother and lets you know exactly what’s expected of you preparation-wise.”
Overall, the training event afforded 5-52 AMD Soldiers with “a good tool to assess our readiness,” said Capt. Matt Bachmann, C Btry. commander.
“This is what we really do,” he added. “It’s a chance to do what we’re trained for.”