Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 122 March 8, 2013 ‘Talon’ utilizes simulated trainer to up the ante Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. Staff Sgt. Joseph Marshall, armor crewman, Company C, 2nd Bn, 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd BCT, communicates with his crewmember during a training scenario using the Advanced Gunnery Training System. Soldiers are able to simulate engaging enemy forces with the trainer without using fuel, ammo and other resources needed to train in an actual training environment. P INON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Gunners communicating with their tank commanders as rounds are fired downrange to engage enemy targets is happening safely from a computer simulated trainer for Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, March 5. Between conducting live training at PCMS, Soldiers are honing their skills for future gunnery certifications by using the Advanced Gunnery Training System. “is system is essential to Soldiers because it prepares them for live fires, said Sgt. Justin Nearing, armor crewman, Company C. “If we actually sent Soldiers down range prior to doing the training, there would probably be accidents and people could get hurt. is mitigates those safety issues and prepares them for live rounds.” e intent of the training is that Soldiers improve their fire command skills. “e most important thing Soldiers should take away from this are the basics, said 1st Lt. Haidar Osman, platoon leader, Company C. “What is the target, what is the direction, when should the driver move up and out of the defelade position; basic fundamentals like that are key to every single engagement.” Soldiers are scored on scale from 0-1000 and can continue to repeat the training if they don’t meet the standard. “You do things over and over and over again,” said Osman. “It is going to be ingrained in you and be second nature.” e system allows crews to work together and become reliant on each other. “It’s a real team building exercise,” said Nearing. “ It gets the gunners and tank commanders on the same wave length. ey get to know each other without having to use a real tank which is real expensive.” e AGTS allows units to save funds that would normally be used during training. “It is a lot cheaper to use this facility then take a tank down range and use fuel, ammo and other resources,” said Nearing. e AGTS played a role in ensuring Soldiers are ready for gunnery and future missions. Removing the AGTS from training would leave Soldiers without a critical training resource, said Osman. Because of the training, everything they have learned will be second nature when they get to gunnery.
Transcript
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 122 March 8, 2013
‘Talon’ utilizes simulated trainer to up the anteStory and photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Marshall, armor crewman, Company C, 2nd Bn, 8th Inf.Reg., 2nd BCT, communicates with his crewmember during a training scenario using the Advanced Gunnery Training System. Soldiers are able to simulate engaging enemy forces with the trainer without using fuel, ammo and other resources needed to train in an actual training environment.
PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Gunners communicating with their tank commanders as rounds are fired downrange to engage enemy targets is happening
safely from a computer simulated trainer for Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, March 5.
Between conducting live training at PCMS, Soldiers are honing their skills for future gunnery certifications by using the Advanced Gunnery Training System.
“This system is essential to Soldiers because it prepares them for live fires, said Sgt. Justin Nearing, armor crewman, Company C. “If we actually sent Soldiers down range prior to doing the training, there would probably be accidents and people could get hurt. This mitigates those safety issues and prepares them for live rounds.”
The intent of the training is that Soldiers improve their fire command skills.
“The most important thing Soldiers should take away from this are the basics, said 1st Lt. Haidar Osman, platoon leader, Company C. “What is the target, what is the direction, when should the driver move up and out of the defelade position; basic fundamentals like that are key to every single engagement.”
Soldiers are scored on scale from 0-1000 and can continue to repeat the training if they don’t meet the standard.
“You do things over and over and over again,” said Osman. “It is going to be ingrained in you and be second nature.”
The system allows crews to work together and become reliant on each other.
“It’s a real team building exercise,” said Nearing. “ It gets the gunners and tank commanders on the same wave length. They get to know each other without having to use a real tank which is real expensive.”
The AGTS allows units to save funds that would normally be used during training.
“It is a lot cheaper to use this facility then take a tank down range and use fuel, ammo and other resources,” said Nearing.
The AGTS played a role in ensuring Soldiers are ready for gunnery and future missions.
Removing the AGTS from training would leave Soldiers without a critical training resource, said Osman. Because of the training, everything they have learned will be second nature when they get to gunnery.
Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 122 March 8, 2013
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Religious services drive on
Around the battlefield with ‘Death Dealer’Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – The sounds of laughter, song and prayer filled a
tent from Troop D, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 2nd BCT during a religious service at a Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 26.
Major Douglas Ball, brigade chaplain, 2nd BCT, and Capt. Rodney Gilliam, chaplain, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT, took the opportunity to visit multiple training sites and hold a religious service at the “Darkhorse” maintenance area.
The chaplains wanted Soldiers to show Soldiers they care about them and are there if they need to talk.
“For many of them, I provide a different avenue,” said Ball. “One of the advantages of the chaplains is our confidentiality. The Soldier can talk to me about an issue and it necessarily wont go back to the command. It doesn’t get reported up, so it gives them a safe person to talk to who is outside of their normal realm.”
Soldiers appreciated the chaplain coming out to visit them.
“It is a really good feeling to have the chaplain conduct a service for us,” said Staff Sgt. Devon Thomas, track vehicle repair, Troop D. “It’s a morale booster to have him come out here; a real pleasure.”
Ball thinks of visiting and counseling
Soldiers as more than just a job. “it reminds me why I joined the Army and what I’m really in for,” said Ball. “I am always amazed at getting to know new Soldiers and finding out their life stories, why they joined the Army and what their goals and dreams are. It reminds me that there are a lot of faces behind what we do.”
Ball also engaged the leadership.“I think they are pleased,’ said Ball. “I
think they want avenues for their Soldiers to talk to somebody. They know what
they can provide, and they know what the chaplain can provide. It sends a message that we are concerned about more than just accomplishing the mission; we want to take care of them and their Soldiers.”
Soldiers, even though out of their normal surroundings, used the service to come together.
The feeling of being away from home is put aside and the feeling of coming together as one and knowing the chaplain is here for everyone helps, said Thomas.
Ball, along with the chaplains from the battalions, plan to visit the training sites often and engage Soldiers as much as possible.
“We are working to push all chaplains out to other battalions to make sure Soldiers and battalions without chaplains get an opportunity to see someone.”
Capt. Rodney Gilliam (left), chaplain, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT,, and Maj. Douglas Ball, brigade chaplain, 2nd BCT, held a religious service at, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 26.
Sgt. Jefferson Burden (left), wheeled vehicle mechanic, and Staff Sgt. Devon Thomas, track vehicle repair, both of Troop D, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 2nd BCT attend a religious service at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 27
Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters compnay, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., 2nd BCT pose for a photo during a month-long training exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo.March 3.
Warhorse PridePage 3 Issue 122 March 8, 2013
Story and photo by Sgt. Matt Waymire2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Kim Schultz, consultant for Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center, serves dinner to Specialist Andy Carmona, fire direction specialist, Battery B, 3rd Bn, 16th FA Reg. 2nd BCT, during a meal that the Mt. Carmel in Trinidad, Colo., hosted, Feb. 28.
‘Warhorse’ enjoys a night out
TRINIDAD, Colo. – The aroma of fresh pasta, meatballs and baked rolls tingled the senses of Soldiers
of 2nd BCT, as they entered the Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center, Trinidad, Colo., Feb. 28.
The “Warhorse” Brigade transported 50 Soldiers from Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site to Mt. Carmel for an evening away from their normal routine and a home-cooked meal.
“We welcomed the soldiers to come in and get a relief, a break from their usual environment out there on the prairies,” said Leo Bonfadini, Wellness Program Coordinator, Mt. Carmel.
Mt. Carmel’s idea of wellness is similar to the Army’s idea of resiliency, said Bonfadini. The center helps people, and in this case, soldiers, to strengthen their minds, bodies, and spirits.
The staff, some prior service, main intent for the night was the importance of taking care of Soldiers.
“I hope my soldiers realize that when you leave the military there’s something you can do to continue serving and helping people,” said 1st. Sgt. Tonio Childress, senior enlisted leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Bn, 16th FA Reg., 2nd BCT. “And also, we have behavioral health on post and the soldiers can’t think that it’s a bad
thing for them. A lot of times there’s a stigma against it and I think in this environment it shows them it’s actually good for them.”
Soldiers appreciated the meal and knew it would have their body ready to go when training started back up.
“I like the fact that it’s a family wellness center so we know the food is healthy and they’re supporting healthy soldiers,” said Pvt. Candee Wheat, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT. “It shows that Trinidad
is very big on trying to support a healthy community.”
To the people who work at Mt. Carmel, taking care of wellness starts and ends with taking care of the nation’s defenders.
“The Army here is so important for us,” said Bonfadini. “This is a wonderful community that has a history of war service. To me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, it’s like seeing family again. I just forgot how young you all were.”
‘Bison’ mechanics keep the troop runningPhotos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers of “Havoc” Troop, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 2nd BCT, work on equipment as they are just about a week through a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Manuever Site, Colo., Feb. 26.
Warhorse PridePage 4 Issue 122 March 8, 2013
‘Talon’ comes knockingPhotos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
‘Hunter’ chows downPhotos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT, are served dinner by 1st Sgt. Michael Oliver (above), senior enlisted leader, and Capt. John Rigsbee, commander, both of HHT, at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., Feb. 25. The “Head Hunters” along with the rest of the brigade are participating in a month-long field training exercise. The training is preparing “Warhorse” Soldiers for a rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., later this summer.
Solidiers of 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd BCT, conduct Military Operation in Urbar Terrian training in a mock village at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 1. ‘Talon’ Leadership is keeping thier Soldiers highly trained during the month-long field training exercise by conducting manuever training, MOUT training and basic common task. The exstensive training all leads up to a rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calfi., later this summer.
Warhorse PridePage 5 Issue 122 March 8, 2013
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public
Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:[email protected]
Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor
Warhorse Pride
‘Roughrider’ continues to supply the force Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers of 204th BSB, 2nd BCT, continue to supply the brigade with fuel, food and other required resources to complete the mission from the brigade support area at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 3.
Tactical movement keeps ‘Thunder’ ready
Soldiers of 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd BCT, conduct movement drills during a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Manuever Site, Colo., Mar 3.
A Soldier of 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd BCT, conduct s a simulated call-for-fire during a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Manuever Site, Colo., Mar 3.
Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
