ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Soldiers from Kosovo Force’s German contingent outfitted with the U.S. Army’s vest and rifle, participate in a buddy-team live-fire exercise with Multi-National Battle Group – East at Orahovac, Kosovo, June 22, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Sang Myeong Lee)
By 1st Lt. Sang Myeong Lee
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Troops A and B with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assigned as the Forward Command Post (FCP) for the Multi-National Battle Group – East, increased lethality and critical thinking capacities by conducting a known-distance shoot and a buddy-team live-fire exercise recently.
Platoon leadership gauged the initial proficiency of each individual; then coached and mentored the Soldiers in maneuvering and closing the distance with the targets. However, as the training progressed, Soldiers realized mobility on its own is not enough to be lethal. In addition to maneuverability, they had to hit the intended target. They gained an appreciation for the necessity of an accurate hit with their individual weapon systems. With the basic principles of lethality in mind, every buddy team rush, trigger pull, sight picture and bullet tallied toward a more deadly and mobile team.
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Sgt. Deion Horton, left, and Spc. Fesuiaigaomalofou Liaina, both with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, execute a buddy-team live-fire exercise lane at Orahovac, Kosovo, June 22, 2018, where Horton acts as a safety and Liaina engages the targets. (Photo by 1st Lt. Sang Myeong Lee)
The range also provided opportunities for junior leaders and Soldiers to critically determine calculated decisions. The dry and blank iterations served as the crawl and walk phases to be able to exercise and refine individual processes. Once solidified, two Soldiers came together, operating as a team confidently and competently on the range to make rapid choices to engage targets in their lane.
Throughout the exercise, Soldiers gained a newfound appreciation for the age-old expression, “closing with and engaging the enemy.” Everyone performed each iteration to the standard to facilitate the Army’s initiative to sharpen its lethality and mold nimble minds.
“It is important to have an event like buddy-team live-fire because it increases lethality through the knowledge that the Soldier next to you will engage the objective violently,” said Sgt. James Gould, a cavalry scout with Troop A, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “Events like this that build lethality, competency, and critical thinking are key to increasing the overall readiness of the team.”
ORAHOVAC, Kosovo — Standing from closest, Staff Sgt. Miles Robinson, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Woodward and Sgt. Colin Dezwaan, all with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, act as safety officers for two Soldiers executing a live-fire lane June 14, 2018, at Orahovac, Kosovo. The safety officers not only ensured the safety of the Soldiers on the line, but also gave tips on acquiring targets and proper shooting techniques. (Photo by Capt. Edward Alvarado)
Soldiers from the FCP also worked alongside NATO Kosovo Force’s German contingent to facilitate the event. This allowed American Soldiers to train with the German contingent at Orahovac.
“The German soldiers we worked with were of the highest caliber. We exchanged instructional classes on our weapon systems,” said 1st Lt. Brady Carroll, platoon leader for Troop A, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “Substantial critical thinking is necessary while maneuvering and communicating with an Allied unit. Training together as well as instructing each other truly makes us a more lethal force.”
Overall, the training event proved pivotal in sharpening lethality, spurring maneuverability and encouraging junior leaders to critically think and make integral choices.
“The buddy-team live-fire exercise definitely gave our Soldiers the opportunity to test their lethality and critical thinking skills,” said Maj. Blake Richter, deputy commander, FCP. “This training also allowed the squadron to maintain readiness during our NATO KFOR (Kosovo Force) mission.”
The squadron, from Fort Carson, is currently deployed in support of KFOR, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force that has been responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo since 1999.