Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, train on conducting operations in an austere environment at Fort Carson April 28, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Soldiers painted their faces with camo and carried heavy weapons onto a C-130 Hercules at Peterson Air Force Base April 28, 2016.
The “Blackhawk” Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted an emergency deployment readiness exercise (ERDE) in conjunction with Air Force elements.
“We are doing a deployment readiness exercise for our squadron … to validate our readiness to be the rapid response force for (U.S. Northern Command and) at the same time build our own readiness to ensure that our squadron … is ready to deploy anywhere, at any time, to defeat any enemy,” said Lt. Col. Jason Rosenstrauch, commander, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg.
The unit was notified at 4 a.m. to conduct the exercise and was ready to load Soldiers and equipment onto the C-130 Hercules before lunch.
“The C-130 has been around … since the 50s. It is one of the best airlift platforms to move the Army and meet its needs; we can move troops and their equipment,” said Air Force Maj. Colin Dunn, instructor pilot, 143rd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guard. “We can take them one way to an austere location and airdrop supplies for them.”
The 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., serves as the eyes and ears of the brigade, providing reconnaissance and surveillance throughout any area of operation.
“Our role as a cavalry squadron is to shape the deep fight for the brigade; that means go in early first to answer (priority intelligence requirements) that will help drive the mission for the rest of the brigade,” said Rosenstrauch.
After completing the training objectives at Peterson Air Force Base, the troops moved back to Fort Carson’s Camp Red Devil where they continued training by simulating an air landing to an austere environment.
Soldiers of Troop A, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., dismounted and carried their equipment on their backs with no vehicles in sight. With snow and rain falling intermittently, they carefully moved into a local “town” to gather information.
“By supporting the element on the ground we are collecting information to help the commander have a better view at assessing the situation,” said Sgt. Christian Cordero, human intelligence collector, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “I think it is great training. It is really good to be able to work with elements like this because we don’t get to do that a lot of times.”
Spc. Michael Wadsworth, indirect fire infantryman, Troop A, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., provided security as his commander spoke with the “mayor.”
“I just like it,” he said. “I like the dismounted aspect of it. Some places you can’t take your vehicles, so it’s nice to be able to train as if you couldn’t bring them. You’re not lost in the sauce when you don’t have your vehicle to ride around in.”