FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Feb. 4, 2016) -- Military intelligence specialists, assigned to D Company "Dark Knights," 41st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, conducted arctic light individual training on Fort Drum, Jan. 27-28, to ensure their Soldiers are confident when operating in arctic conditions.
"We have to train our Soldiers on how to live in below-freezing temperatures and how to use their cold-weather gear properly," said 1st Lt. Ryan Rances, Information Collecting Platoon leader.
Training included land navigation, how to identify and prevent cold-weather injuries, first aid, securing and transporting a simulated casualty on a medical sked (a kit designed for rapid emergency evacuation of patients), moving under fire and how to properly wear the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System.
For one of the Dark Knights, this is her first time experiencing arctic weather conditions.
"I'm from Las Vegas, and this is my first winter here," said Spc. Jasmine Santos-Felix, a linguist. "This training is helping me adapt to the cold-weather environment and how to use my equipment properly."
With service members now trained on how to operate in arctic conditions, they feel they have a better understanding of how ground troops operate and they will be able to provide better intelligence for future operations.
"As intelligence Soldiers, we help provide information to infantry and cavalry," said Capt. Josh Haseltine, said Capt. Josh Haseltine, D Company commander. "If we don't understand what they are going through, how can we provide proper intelligence?"
Haseltine said that this training will help his Soldiers prepare for a winter competition in March, when they will go up against teams from across the battalion.
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