FORT BLISS, TEXAS (March 18, 2009) -- Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, who commands the 1st Armored Division in Germany, visited Fort Bliss last week and included a stop at the Future Force Integration Directorate (FFID) Battle Command Complex (BCC). The Soldiers of the 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Army Evaluation Task Force, presented information on the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Spin Out equipment they are testing and evaluating.
AETF Soldiers briefed the general on the features and capabilities of FCS Spin Out equipment, which they are preparing for early deployment to combat zones, some of which is already being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The equipment included Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors (T-UGS and U-UGS), the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUG-V), the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Non Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) and the Network Integration Kit, which is generally set up in a HMMWV.
The first Soldier to greet Hertling with "Iron Soldiers" was Pfc. Prent Keigley, from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion. He earned high praise and a coin from the general before he launched into his briefing on the T-UGS and U-UGS.
After the BCC tour had ended, Hertling went to Stayton Theater, where the entire
5th Brigade had assembled. He addressed the group, explaining that even though they are not in his chain of command, he feels they have an association because they wear the same unit patch. He also pointed out that even though the brigade is organized under Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and not Forces Command (FORSCOM) like most combat units, they have a very important mission, which is having a positive impact on the current and future force.
The brigade's mission is to test and evaluate high-tech equipment being built as part of the FCS program, the most important modernization effort the Army has undertaken in more than four decades.
The FCS program is a joint networked system that includes the individual Soldier, 14 individual systems and the network. It employs advanced communications equipment and technologies to link Soldiers with both manned and unmanned ground and air platforms and sensors. Since about 60 percent of the AETF's Soldiers are recent combat veterans, they understand what capabilities are needed and which are lacking.
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