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By Spc. Ashton Empty
14th Public Affairs Detachment
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — An M1128 mobile gun system assigned to Echo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, moves through the training area during the combined arms live fire portion of National Training Center Rotation 20-09, at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 25, 2020. (Photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Through sweat, grit, resilience and utter determination, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division “Raiders” completed what was a unique rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, from August 2020 to September 2020.
After weeks of planning and preparation, the Raiders wrapped up their monthlong training in the NTC desert by packing for the return to the Mountain Post.
Coming off an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE), the Soldiers were ready weeks prior to even setting boots on the ground at NTC.
“It was preceded by an EDRE which proved our ability to deploy and project combat power on no notice,” said Maj. Jim Marione, executive officer, 1st SBCT.
If that did not pose enough challenge, after COVID-19 swept through the nation, many changes and precautions had to take place.
There was a mandatory screening and COVID-19 testing that occurred before the Soldiers left Fort Carson. Soldiers were also screened before returning to Fort Carson.
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assemble a satellite dish to aid the brigade mobile command group in its communications with the rest of the brigade at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 25, 2020. (Photo by Spc. Ashton Empty)
“To ensure the safety and health of our Soldiers and local community, prior to deploying to NTC every Soldier was tested and screened for COVID-19.” said Marione
Another aspect that made this rotation unique was the expeditionary Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSO&I), which included the brigade bringing nearly all its own equipment to NTC.
With over 4,000 personnel and 1,600 pieces of equipment brought forward to NTC, 1st SBCT went into the rotation as the first active-duty unit to conduct an expeditionary deployment in to ‘the box’.
“There is no going to the rotational unit bivouac area (RUBA), just straight field time.” said Sgt. 1st Class Filomeno Elizondo, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the brigade’s S4 section, which is responsible for supply and logistics. “Get off the bus, get your gear and sleep in the field.”
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Staff Sgt. Nicholas Haynes, a cannon crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, monitors the safe execution of his section’s portion of a combined arms live-fire exercise at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 26, 2020. (Photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
The RSO&I process, which normally occurs during the first week inside the RUBA became a process done out in the training area.
During the RSO&I period Soldiers were able to jump start their planning phase as well as situate all the assets.
Soldiers with the 1st SBCT were able to effectively work with one another, as well as other members from different units.
“We got to train with all our integrated assets,” said Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Kraus, the first sergeant for Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “Members from other units and other branches were able to come together and do what needed to be done.”
In addition to the Soldiers from 1st SBCT, Airmen assigned to the Tactical Air Control Party also supported the training.
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — A Soldier assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, eats a steak dinner at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 29, 2020. The 1st SBCT conducted operations in the rotational unit bivouac area and provided a steak dinner to recognize Soldiers’ hard work during rotation 20-09. (Photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
However, the Soldiers had no breaks when it came to prepping for and executing their mission.
“The most challenging part was doing all the training in the current environment.” said Kraus, “Record setting temperatures added onto the already ongoing challenge.”
Temperatures in the NTC desert ranged in the 120s and even hit a record high of 130.
While the temperatures and environment were brutal, it did not stop 1st SBCT from accomplishing its mission.
At the conclusion of the rotation and the accomplishment of its mission, 1st SBCT walked away having learned and gained a considerable amount of knowledge and experience.
“This training has absolutely reinvigorated my commitment to the unit. said Marione. “By exposing our formation to so many environmental and situational challenges, this training allowed us to show others and ourselves the grit and determination of our Soldiers and unit.”
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — A Soldier assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division watches from a Stryker as smoke is released into the air to simulate artillery obscuration Aug. 23, 2020, at National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. The 1st SBCT was the first active-duty brigade combat team to execute a rotation at the National Training Center since COVID-19 temporarily suspended training there. (Photo by Spc. Ashton Empty)
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Spc. Tyler Harvey, a horizontal construction engineer, assigned to Alpha Company, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, guides a D6 bulldozer onto a trailer at Fort Carson, Sept. 11, 2020. The 1st SBCT conducted operations at the Fort Carson rail yard to return vehicles and equipment back to unit motor pools and work areas following rotation 20-09 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. (Photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — A group of observer coach/trainers assigned to Operations Group, National Training Center, operate in the training area in support of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rotation 20-09 at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 26, 2020. (Photo by Spc. Ashton Empty)
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The sun rises during National Training Center rotation 20-09 with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 23, 2020. (Photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)