Pvt. Lucecs Cusimano, a Soldier of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Fairbanks, Alaska and part of the Alaska National Guard, helps piece together part of a ten-person tent at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base on Eielson Air Force Base as part of the arctic survival portion of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020, Feb. 25.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard clear out a space in the snow to set up a tent at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base on Eielson Air Force Base as part of the arctic survival portion of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020, Feb. 26.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Fairbanks, Alaska and part of the Alaska National Guard, prepare to board a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter operated by members of 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard at Winter Camp Feb.27, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Staff Sgt. Luke Sullivan, a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment based in Concord, New Hampshire and a North Conway, New Hampshire native, conducts a pre-flight briefing on Eielson Air Force Base for members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment Based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 27, as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
A Small Unit Support Vehicle Drives through the Yukon Training Area on Eielson Air Force Base Feb. 27, as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Sgt. Fraser Rankin a member of the Canadian-Scottish Regiment out of Victoria, British Columbia, instructs members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, on how to speed-load ammunition into magazines in cold weather Feb. 27, at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, prepare to move out to a different position in the Yukon Training on Eielson Air Force Base Feb. 27, as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces, the Alaska National Guard’s state partner, observe operations at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base Feb. 27, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter operated by members of 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard, picks up a sling load at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base Feb. 27, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter operated by members of 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard, picks up a sling load in the Yukon Training Area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of Exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, pull an Ahkio sled through the Yukon Training area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, pull an Ahkio sled through the Yukon Training area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, pull an Ahkio sled through the Yukon Training area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, walk through the Yukon Training area Feb. 28 , on Eielson Air force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, walk through the Yukon Training area Feb. 28 , on Eielson Air force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, pull security in the Yukon Training Area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Members of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and part of the Alaska National Guard, conduct dismounted operations in the Yukon Training Area Feb. 28, on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
Staff Sgt. Sean E. Davis, a member of 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, based in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, tests out the new SIG Sauer M17 Army service pistol March 1, in the Yukon Training Area on Eielson Air Force Base as part of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, trained in arctic survival, helicopter-hoisting, movement-to-contact and weapon familiarization as part of Arctic Eagle 2020 Feb. 20 to March 2.
The unit, from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, used UH-60 Black Hawks to hoist gear and move Soldiers from forward operating bases to more remote locations to engage in small unit infantry tactics.
The exercise tests and validates field skills, gear and transportation capabilities, remote communications, and best practices for survival in an arctic environment.
The 1-297th INF BN began the field portion of the exercise Feb. 25 by establishing a tactical operations center at Winter Camp Forward Operating Base in the Yukon Training Area. The unit set up a 10-person tent with a heater and generator, practiced movement to contact and conducted cold-weather training.
"Out here in the Arctic, the greatest enemy is the weather," said Army 1st Lt. Eric Gorman, company commander of Delta Company, 1-297 INF BN based in Fairbanks. "The most important part of the Alaska National Guard is to be able to operate in an arctic environment in order to defend the homeland."
The training is meant to validate the equipment and give Soldiers the confidence to endure harsh weather.
"Our piece of Arctic Eagle is acquiring arctic skills; to survive and thrive in some of the roughest weather there is," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Matt Romine of Huntington, West Virginia, with Bravo Company, 1-297 INF BN based in Wasilla. "We wanted to make sure our guys gained confidence in their equipment and trust each other. The temperature is always a challenge in -30 degree weather."
Romine said training leading up to the exercise helped them overcome the challenges of arctic temperatures.
This was the first time Alaska National Guard Soldiers used the weapon system they will be issued for future deployments.
"It's important for us to be proficient with our weapon systems, including the new M17 service pistol," said Gorman. "This is a big part of our marksmanship program and close-quarters combat, and it was important for us to get familiar with this new weapon system."
The SIG Sauer M17 is the newest service pistol for the U.S. Army and is used by Guard units across the country. There were key differences in the M17 versus the previous service pistol.
"There's a lot of safety features built into the weapon, so it's important for our guys to get used to drawing the weapon, getting a site picture, firing and then holstering the weapon again," said Army Staff Sgt. Sean Davis of Anchorage, with B. Co., 1-297 INF BN. "The new trigger on these is much lighter and there's less recoil, so it's important for guys to gain some muscle memory on the new weapon system."
Davis said the weapon system performed well in the arctic climate. "It's below zero, and there wasn't a single weapon that jammed," said Davis. "Being an MP [military policeman] for 10 years, for being as cold as it is, the weapon performed excellent."
The various training exercises allowed for mentorship of younger Soldiers to prepare them for future operations.
"To me, this is another opportunity to train younger Soldiers and NCOs [noncommissioned officers] to pass on the knowledge I've acquired over the years," said Romine. "I'm having a blast."
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