An M1A2 Abrams main battle tank crew assigned to 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, engages a target during the 3rd ABCT field training exercise at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones)
By Capt. Shaun T. Manley
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
UDAIRI RANGE COMPLEX, Kuwait — “Exercise, exercise, exercise,” began the sequence of training events for the “Iron” Brigade Combat Team (BCT).
Soldiers of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a series of training exercises that included company Combined Arms Live Fire Exercises (CALFEX), battalion Fire Coordination Exercises (FCX) and a BCT Field Training Exercise (FTX) at the Udairi Range Complex, July 18 to Aug. 8, 2015.
“I am extremely proud of what all our Soldiers and leaders accomplished thus far in the deployment. Our Families, friends and nation can be proud,” said Col. Gregory F. Sierra, commander, 3rd ABCT. “This BCT is incredibly well trained, and we have incredible Soldiers and leaders; we will fight and win when called.”
The events started with three CALFEXs, which certified combined arms companies in conducting maneuver — simultaneous fire and movement. The brigade built upon the lessons learned during the company CALFEXs as it transitioned to battalion FCXs and the BCT FTX.
“A combined arms live-fire exercise at this level develops company leadership and Soldiers in planning and executing operations,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, 3rd ABCT. “It further prepares them to integrate indirect fires, combat aviation and other assets in their mounted and dismounted tactical movement plans to attack company-sized objectives.”
Conducting live-fire exercises at the company and battalion level required the units to first conduct qualifications and certifications at the individual, team, crew, squad and platoon levels.
“Over the past several months, our brigade combat team has conducted mounted gunnery and live-fire certifications at all levels, from team through company,” said Sims. “Our Soldiers have proven their proficiency on and off of their combat platforms and at every level; their efforts paid off out here during these exercises.”
The Soldiers of the maneuvering units worked with adjacent elements in live and simulated environments as they integrated available warfighting assets across the BCT.
“To see all of these assets come together on the battlefield is a tremendous sight,” said Capt. Thomas Anderson, commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT. “Having adjacent units to communicate with added realism to the overall experience for the Soldier and allowed everyone to participate in the exercises.”
The exercises included more than just armored vehicles, infantry Soldiers and aircraft, they also involved the combination of Virtual Training Simulators.
Simulations included Soldiers operating computer-generated systems that accurately depict real-world equipment and situations without the limitations of time, terrain, facilities or other resources. These systems allowed some elements of the brigade combat team to be represented on the battlefield while meeting other demands of the deployment, while also reducing the costs of the training.
“By incorporating the use of simulations into the training, the unit was able to include all elements of the brigade combat team while still fulfilling its real-world missions here in theater,” said Capt. Robert Fenoglio, chief of operations, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd ABCT.
The simulation’s input fed to the live maneuvering units allowing them to coordinate with and factor in the adjacent elements to their flanks, therefore securing multiple objectives simultaneously and giving the commanders a full outlook of the complex operational environment.
“Allowing the maneuvering elements to see the adjacent units and receive updates on the entire battlespace helped the leaders make decisions at all levels,” said Fenoglio. “The virtual training complemented and enhanced the live portions of the training.”
The use of artillery was integrated throughout all of the operations, beginning in the planning and continuing through its response to the actual “calls for fire” from the maneuvering units.
“We train as we fight, and this training is helping teach the Soldiers how to integrate fires into operations, and what effects those fires have in shaping the battle,” said Capt. Jason Polglaze, commander, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th Field Artillery Reg., 3rd ABCT.
Sustainment also played a major role in these large-scale exercises, representing a significant portion of the live training that works in concert with the virtual and constructive aspects.
“Planning executable supply, maintenance and medical plans designed to sustain the entire brigade combat team during events of this magnitude is definitely challenging but absolutely worthwhile,” said Maj. William Bennett, executive officer, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd ABCT.
As the brigade combat team continues its theater reserve and partnership mission in addition to providing support to ongoing operations for U.S. Central Command, the Soldiers also continue building on their level of sustainable readiness as an expeditionary ready force.