Col. Ronald R. Ragin, right, commander, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and his “Rough Riders” staff hold a brigade update brief Feb. 9, 2016, during a field training exercise at Fort Carson’s Mission Training Center. (Photo by Sgt. Benjamin Kullman)
By Sgt. Benjamin Kullman
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
To be ready to execute logistics missions in complex situations around the world, the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, trains to execute simultaneous missions in a range of environments.
The “Rough Riders” conducted a simulated field exercise Feb. 3-11, 2016, in support of the 4th Inf. Div. Warfighter Exercise to provide its Soldiers a better understanding of how to conduct their jobs during a real-world situation.
“The brigade seized the training opportunity to synchronize the brigade staff with division in order to validate (its) ability to conduct decentralized mission command, while providing seamless support to Fort Carson,” said Col. Ronald R. Ragin, commander, 4th SB.
The 4th SB mission includes providing rapidly deployable combat-ready forces to provide sustainment support to the 4th Inf. Div., capable of conducting land operations and supply missions in support of the division’s objectives.
Detailed scenarios combining both simulated and real-world support operations were conducted in a field environment to increase the ability for the logisticians to complete their mission while also testing 4th SB NCOs’ ability to lead and train.
The field exercise provided an opportunity to build upon the foundation of brigade systems and processes for meeting the needs of division-level support, said Maj. Toshihide Sasaki, brigade operations officer. It was also an opportunity for the 4th SB to incorporate parallel planning with division as it executed its Warfighter Exercise.
During this exercise, the brigade staff, supported by 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th SB, established a tactical command post, a mobile command group and a brigade main headquarters.
“Exercises (such as) Warfighter are a phenomenal sustainment opportunity for our staff members,” said Ragin. “Any event that allows the staff to test (its) expeditionary capabilities and hone our field craft is worthwhile. We draw several parallels to real-world and simulated training events.
“These exercises are key to maintaining a well-trained force while being good stewards of our nation’s assets,” he said. “We prepare for real-world missions through executing decentralized mission command in a complex operational environment.”
The Rough Riders displayed their flexibility and adaptability during the exercise by establishing a field command presence and then quickly relocating to another site to continue operations.
The brigade also demonstrated its versatility managing a field training exercise without interruption to its steady state mission of providing support for the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson.
“Our brigade holds a unique role in the 4th Inf. Div. as we are the only brigade on Fort Carson that is capable of providing direct support to the training (brigade combat teams),” said Ragin.
He said he hopes that continued training events will further shape the Rough Riders into a quick reaction logistical unit capable of meeting the needs of an evolving force.
“My intent is that our brigade is able to adopt an expeditionary mindset, create and train strong sergeants and validate our systems,” he said. “Our Soldiers proved their mental toughness and resiliency against inclement weather and a constantly shifting operational environment. Despite multiple challenges, Rough Riders were ready and executed the standard.”