Logistics Soldiers prepare for Ironhorse Challenge, NTC

By Capt. LaShaunda McDanielJune 23, 2015

Convoy Ops
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, rehearse convoy operations June 9, as part of "Muleskinner Storm," a brigade support area exercise conducted from June 8 to 11 on... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Medics on the Move
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, rehearse convoy operations June 8, as part of "Muleskinner Storm," a brigade support area exercise conducted from June 8 to 11 at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Field chow
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas - (From left) Staff Sgt. Sean Prater, Sgt. Mario Lopez, Pvt. Marcellius Lucus and Sgt. Develera Handy, 115th Brigade Support Battalion "Muleskinners," 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepare lunch June 10 durin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers deployed around the world conducting humanitarian missions or engaged in combat need food, water, fuel, construction materials, ammunition, medical supplies, repair parts and many other items day-to-day.

The complex mission of keeping Army units and operations running smoothly falls on logistics units, a no-fail mission. In the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the logistics mission is accomplished by the Soldiers of the 115th Brigade Support Battalion "Muleskinners."

As the tankers, infantrymen, artillerymen, cavalry scouts and other warfighters of the 1st ABCT brigade prepare for gunneries and major summer exercises, logistics Soldiers are also quietly preparing.

Logistics Soldiers conducted "Muleskinner Storm," a brigade support area exercise, from June 8 to 11, rehearsing establishing communications, field feeding, convoy operations, providing maintenance, running medical facilities and providing supply assets.

"The brigade support area exercise validates our ability to perform a critical mission and ensures that the brigade will have freedom of action and maneuver during our upcoming Ironhorse Challenge brigade-wide field training exercise in August, and our decisive action rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in October." said Capt. Deedrick Jeffries, operations officer in charge, 115th BSB, and native of Memphis, Tennessee.

The BSB plans, coordinates, synchronizes and executes sustainment operations in support of

brigade operations. It distributes classes of supply -- everything Soldiers and units need during military operations, including medical support and field maintenance and recovery.

Logistics Soldiers provide sustainment every day, even in garrison, but field exercises are good refreshers for operating in austere environments.

"There is a lot of teamwork that makes being in the field run smoothly," said Spc. Cornell Dixon, intelligence analyst, 115th BSB, and native of Albany, Georgia.

Additionally, during the exercise, Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 115th BSB, completed radio and weapons familiarization. Soldiers of Co. A, 115th BSB, conducted logistic resupply point training and day-and-night driver's training and mountain land navigation. Soldiers of Co. B led night driver's training, and Soldiers of Co. C conducted medical operations.

"It's not as easy as going into an area and setting up tents; there's a lot involved," said Staff Sgt. Misty Zayas, logistics noncommissioned officer in charge, 115th BSB, and native of Jackson, Tennessee. "It's practicing the skill sets that should come with the Soldiers, and the capabilities essential of a brigade support battalion."