By Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Spc. Jayson Kadlec, left, M240 machine gunner, and Spc. Arryn Hill, assistant M240 gunner, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull security for a MedEvac during a platoon-level situational training exercise lane May 22, 2017, at Graefenwoehr Training Area, Germany. About 600 Soldiers from the battalion participated in an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise from May 15, 2017 to June 17, 2017, to validate the unit’s readiness to deploy worldwide on short notice, while testing the ability of U.S. Army Europe and subordinate units to receive, transport, feed, house and train units as they arrive in theater. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kathleen V. Polanco)
The Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) completed by 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, showcased how a unit can come together like a well-oiled machine.
More than 600 Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, deployed to Germany May 15, 2017 through June 17, 2017, as part of an EDRE showcasing an important Army capability.
The ability to deploy, on short-notice, an infantry battalion to anywhere in the world is a capability the U.S. Army needed to test from start to finish.
“I think the mission was an incredible success from the Soldier and platoon perspective, we got a lot of training done in a short amount of time,” said Lt. Col. Bo Dennis, commander, 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg.
“We’ve enhanced readiness by deploying overseas. I think that is a testament to the hard work of the division, brigade and our battalion as well. In addition to that, it’s not lost on us that this is a very important mission for the Army.
“To be able to mobilize and deploy a unit on two-week’s notice, over 600 individuals, upwards of 180 pieces of rolling stock; I think we were able to test and validate how a division and an installation can rapidly deploy a battalion like 2-12 Inf. in a short period of time,” said Dennis.
He said the experience made the battalion a better unit.
From left, Col. David M. Hodne, deputy commander, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, and Lt. Col. Bo Dennis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 12th infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., greet Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, at the Fort Carson Arrival/Departure Air Control Group military terminal June 17, 2017, upon their return from an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise to Germany. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Feedback from a squad leader confirmed how successful the EDRE really was.
“The fluidity of it, and how efficient we were was phenomenal. It was one of the smoothest deployments that I’ve ever been on,” said Sgt. Charles Tuttle, infantryman squad leader, Company B, 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg.
The commander went into further detail as to how the EDRE improved his unit.
“Over 14 days, the battalion went through situational training exercises (STX), so each company got about four to five days of STX training in preparation for live-fire training,” said Dennis. “Two days of nonstop live fires for each company; eight straight days of live fires at the platoon level; high-op tempo; lots of ammunition expended; it clearly made us a more lethal battalion as a result.
“On top of that, we did a battalion-level air assault with the 10th (Combat Aviation Brigade) out of Fort Drum, New York. Incredible training event and an opportunity that we were very excited to take part in,” he said.
The infantrymen were able to experience some terrain and tactics for the first time.
“We had a vast amount of room with different types of terrain on it. The best part about Germany is that it has trees. When you’re doing a mission, you can use cover and concealment to take a more direct line approach by stacking trees, which is to put as much (covers as possible) between you and the enemy,” said Tuttle.
He explained a historical tactic he experienced for the first time.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participate in a live-fire exercise May 25, 2017, at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, as part of an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kathleen V. Polanco)
“I really loved the live-fire mission. One, because I’ve never cleared a trench in the six years that I’ve been in, until I went to Germany,” he said. “I think it’s neat that we took modern equipment and moved through a defensive position, just like they did 100 years ago.”
A Soldier in a sister company had a similar perspective when reflecting on the EDRE.
“I’d say my highlight of the EDRE was the live-fire training, even though it was only two days, but it was the most fun that I’ve had since I’ve gotten to the unit,” said Spc. Joseph Carter, grenadier, Company A, 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg.
“Everything that we trained up for and everything that I’ve learned was implemented there, being able to do all aspects of my job,” said Carter.
Dennis said that the training has made his battalion a more lethal and effective unit.
“I’m amazed at the facilities, the village, the infrastructure and the objective that we were operating in was very realistic,” he said. “It enhanced the training value of the air assault. Between Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr (Germany) in the Europe Command (area of operations), the training management, the personnel and everything that goes into pulling this off was just absolutely exceptional. Hats off and thanks to them on behalf of 2-12 Infantry.”
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participate in a live-fire exercise May 25, 2017, at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, as part of its Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kathleen V. Polanco)
Pvt. Jason Kelbaugh, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires a FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile during a training exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 30, 2017. (Photo by Pvt. Nicholas Vidro)