FORT STEWART, Ga. - Distribution platoons of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, started convoy security operations training during Vanguard Focus, the brigade's field exercise, which began Jan. 21, 2015, on Fort Stewart, Ga.
"A lot of these guys haven't deployed before," said Capt. Alan Sawyer, a Columbus, Ga., native and the operations officer for the Maintain Battalion. "A lot of them haven't had much time in the gunner hatch, actually using the crew serve weapons and working as a team. It really takes their training to the next level."
The training was conducted on light medium tactical vehicles, or LMTVs and included blank-round iterations and situational exercises, which integrated engagements with opposing forces, civilians on the battlefield and vehicle recovery operations, followed by a live-fire iteration in which the convoy engaged targets while on the move.
"They need to treat this training like it is real life," said 1st Lt. Charles Wagenseil, the maintenance platoon leader for Company B, who helped facilitate the training. "That's why we threw a lot of different scenarios at them."
"I didn't know what to expect." said Pfc. Irvin Patterson, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Company D and native of Jacksonville, Florida. "It's fun when you get to shoot the weapons of course, but still, at the same time you have to have the mindset to stay focused on the mission at hand."
The 703rd BSB has lived up to their motto, "Maintain the Line," by distributing food, fuel, ammo, and supplies as well as moving troops and providing an aid station in support of Vanguard Focus.
Sawyer said it can be difficult to find time to train for specific scenarios as the battalion is responsible for the everyday logistical operations for the Vanguard Brigade.
Wagenseil said, "They're engaged with supporting the maneuver units rather than honing in on the training aspects." The Englewood, Florida, native added, "Vanguard focus has provided the time to go through training scenarios."
After each scenario the convoy participants, the observer and controllers, and the opposing forces would evaluate how the exercise played out in an after action review, or AAR.
"The value of the AAR is to sit back and evaluate what we did well and what we need to improve on from start to finish" said Sawyer. "You analyze every individual engagement scenario to see what they did well and did wrong so everyone in the entire formation gets the full picture of what happened."
Patterson, who is new to the Army and has not served in a combat role, said the experience of his leaders really helped the convoy throughout the training as they were able to share their knowledge and experience.
"They trained us to be prepared for any situation," said Patterson.
The distribution platoons are scheduled to continue convoy live-fire training through the end of Vanguard Focus, slated for the end of March. Sawyer added in order to further test their capabilities the battalion plans to relocate the entire brigade support area, while continue to support Vanguard Focus.
Related Links:
The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division DVIDS page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart Facebook page.
The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Facebook page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart website.
The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division website.
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