By Sgt. Casey Hustin
Multinational Battle Group – East (Kosovo Force)
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Staff Sgt. Lenard M. Robinson, left, performs range safety operations while Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Martin, center, and 1st Lt. Joshua A. Hurlbut all with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plan to engage simulated targets during a live-fire buddy exercise June 14, 2018, at Orahovac range. (Photo by Sgt. Casey Hustin)
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Troops with the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a live-fire buddy exercise June 14 at Orahovac range.
1st Lt. Daniel D. Groleau, platoon leader, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT, described how the troops worked in battle-buddy teams for the live-fire exercise focusing on their individual movement techniques, three- to five-second rushes and engaging targets.
“So far the range has gone really well,” said Groleau. “We’ve been able to run each Soldier through their lane three or four times, and they’ve shown consistent improvement. It’s probably the best training event I’ve done so far in Kosovo.”
Battle buddy team live-fire exercises are designed to improve teamwork and communication skills in real life engagement scenarios.
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo – Apache and Bandit Troop scouts with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a live-fire buddy exercise at Orahovac range June 14. First Lt. Joshua A. Hurlbut (front right) engages a simulated target with his teammate Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Martin (rear right) while Staff Sgt. Robinson (front left) and Sgt. Colin C. Dezwaan (far left) conduct range safety operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Casey Hustin, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
“We’ve been doing battle-buddy rushes,” said Pfc. Brendan J. Mohan, a cavalry scout with 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “We look at (scenarios) on paper and talk about the movements but it’s good to get out here and practice (in a live-fire exercise).”
Live-fire engagement training is an essential tactical training tool that continues to improve the readiness of every formation.
The 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT is deployed to Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassigny, Kosovo, on a nine-month peace and stability operation as the main maneuver element for Kosovo Force’s Multi-National Battle Group – East, which is tasked to contribute to a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo.
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Spc. William A. Chandler, right, engages a simulated target while Sgt. Colin C. Dezwaan performs safety operations during a live-fire buddy exercise June 14, 2018, at Orahovac range; both are Soldiers with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. (Photo by Sgt. Casey Hustin)
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo – Apache and Bandit Troop scouts with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a live-fire buddy exercise at Orahovac range June 14. Spc. William A. Chandler (left) and Pfc. Benjamin L. Kern plan their simulated target engagement. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Casey Hustin, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)