The 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, recently packed their rucksacks, prepped their vehicles, applied camouflage face paint and traveled in a convoy to the Yukon Training Area in Alaska.
The Squadron is not slated for a deployment, but all units must be prepared for the call to act at a moment's notice.
This exercise was an opportunity to train for combat in difficult terrain.
"It is our job to be 100 percent ready for that call to deploy," said Lt. Col. Erik Krivda, 5-1 CAV commander. "Once called, we act and act fast. Asking for more time to train is not an option at that point and we owe it to the Nation to be ready at all times."
Commanders often have Troopers spend time in the field to contribute to their readiness to deploy when and where they are needed. Logistics enable the Squadron to maintain a continuous presence wherever it deploys. During this field training exercise 5-1 CAV Troopers set up command post tents that contained critical combat communication assets, which enabled the coordination of essential logistical convoys used for feeding Soldiers and maintaining combat vehicles. Manning guard posts, covering and concealing equipment with camouflage netting, loading man-pack radios with communication security keys and conducting security patrols are a few of the numerous other combat tasks the Troopers trained on and performed.
The Troop elements set up and started their internal Troop training skills while the Squadron Headquarters established the Tactical Operations Center. The TOC is the command and control center for the entire Squadron. Everything filters through the TOC to provide the Troopers on the line with information needed to accomplish their mission. If combat air support is needed to suppress and destroy the enemy, Troops contact the TOC to make the request. When Troops are in contact CAS is one of the assets which are needed immediately. When CAS arrives on station it is the TOC who coordinates this asset for the Troop commander. A well-trained and functioning TOC ensures this crucial coordination appears seamless to the commander on the ground, enabling him to concentrate on commanding Troops on the battlefield.
The ability to move an entire Squadron with supporting elements from Fort Wainwright to the YTA can be a daunting task. While deployed at YTA, or any other location, Troops need a regular supply of food, fuel and water and vehicles require maintenance. Each of those essential demands and a myriad of other tasks must be met while the Squadron is on the move and separate elements are spread throughout the battlefield.
"Supporting more than 80 vehicles and 450-plus Soldiers from Fort Wainwright in YTA and ensuring they have what they need can be challenging," said 1st Lt. David Brooks, squadron logistics officer. "Although logistics is not a new concept to the Army we have the challenge of accomplishing it in all conditions. We take pride in doing whatever is necessary to supply the Troops and in ensuring it is carried out safely."
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