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By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, dismount a Bradley fighting vehicle during a combined arms live-fire exercise May 15, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The early morning sun beat down on the infantrymen’s faces, caked with paint and dirt from a three-day training event, as they prepared for their first live-fire exercise since platoon qualifications a month ago.
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) to increase synchronization of units across echelons, from the company to brigade level.
“A CALFEX is bringing everything to the fight that you would have at your disposal in a combat scenario,” said Capt. Alex Graves, assistant operations officer, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
During the training, engineers breach an obstacle and field artillerymen suppress the objective with indirect fire. As the training progresses and the troops get closer to the enemy, the troops transition into direct fire engagements with Bradley fighting vehicles and tanks and ultimately, end with the troops dismounted from the vehicles.
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a combined arms live-fire exercise, which trained on how to synchronize multiple echelons within the brigade May 15, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)
The training allowed the units to validate their standard operating procedures, as well as validate their military decision-making process (MDMP), a multi-step model for developing a solution to a problem, at the battalion-level. The MDMP guides the staff through how to best accomplish the mission by analyzing the terrain, enemy and best courses of action for success, though the training wasn’t without its challenges.
“With a mechanized force, maintenance is a constant struggle, and you’re always having to stay on top of your vehicles ensuring proper preventative maintenance checks and services,” said Graves.
It is important to take care of the vehicles, conduct proper maintenance and have good communication across the battlefield during combat operations, he said.
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, mount a Bradley fighting vehicle during a combined arms live-fire exercise May 15, 2018. The three-day training event increased synchronization of units across echelons, from the company to brigade level. The training allowed the units to validate their standard operating procedures, as well as validate their military decision-making process. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)
“Our intent is to ensure everyone is on the same page; knowing both how to communicate and execute,” said Graves
Soldiers who arrived to the unit recently were surprised at the impressive level of execution.
Sgt. Brett Wolters, a tanker for Company C, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd ABCT, recently moved to Colorado and has been with the unit for about three weeks.
“I’ve noticed a difference in how this unit trains; extremely hard, very high operational tempo, and fast paced,” he said. “The unit takes training very seriously.”
With that mindset, Wolters enjoys his profession and can take ownership of his role to contribute to the overall mission success.
“My favorite part about the training is actually seeing the infantrymen being more involved in the fight,” said Wolters. “They play a major role, and it’s good to see them in action.
Seeing that makes the training more realistic because everyone has a role, and they get to execute their role during training instead of making it notional.”
Wolters is fortunate to have the opportunity to play a key role in the operations, working alongside infantrymen and armors.
“During the training, we set up a support by fire (position) and the infantry will go through and clear a village while the armor gets to do their job of long-range surveillance and overwatch,” said Wolters. “This is a combined arms operating force. Training to that concept with realistic training increases our combat readiness.”
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, drive Bradley fighting vehicles into position to execute a combined arms live-fire exercise May 15, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, dismount a Bradley fighting vehicle during a combined arms live-fire exercise May 15, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a combined arms live-fire exercise, which trained on how to synchronize multiple echelons within the brigade May 15, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Dan Lee)