Fire support Soldiers train hard

May 7 launched a two week long field training exercise for fire support specialist Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI).

The fire support specialists, or FiSTers, will be staying in the field in the Fort Drum training area for two weeks to train and update all necessary certifications.

The Soldiers are from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment; 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment; 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT.

Forward Observers are technical experts in calling for fire, communication on radios and target designation. The forward observer is an essential asset to any combat unit. He is the subject matter expert when it comes to sending rounds down range, accurately, safely and in a timely manner.

According to Maj. John Tyler, the brigade fire support officer, the skills that fire supporters have are perishable, and must be maintained through training and multiple exercises.

"In the business of fire support, when we are not precise people can die," he said. "We have to be able to accurately put steel on target or our brethren we are supporting will pay the price."

"We are really fortunate to have all of the fire supporters together for one training event," he added. "It allows us to give the Soldiers quality training time to be able to execute the mission."

The FTX started off high-intensity with Soldiers being transported close to their observation point in CH-47 Chinook helicopters provided by the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. Once all boots were on the ground, the Soldiers had to conduct a tactical foot march to reach the OP, which was approximately three miles away.

After climbing the last hill, the Soldiers reached the OP, dropped gear and prepared to set up camp. Each battalion moved deep in the woods to find the best spot for the Soldiers to set up their own personal hooches, or improvised shelters. This would be the Soldiers home for the next two weeks, providing shelter from the rain and the elements.

To finish off the first week of training, Soldiers were loaded onto Chinook helicopters and brought to a site where they would be practicing their land navigation

skills. In order to pass for certification, the Soldiers must accurately find three out of four points on the course.

The Soldiers left the field on Friday to enjoy some hard earned down time this weekend with their families before heading back out to the woods early Monday.

"It was a great to get to fly to the training site; some of the guys here haven't been to the field yet or flown in a helicopter," said Pfc. Albert Gensel, a forward observer with Alpha Troop, 1-89 CAV.

According to Gensel, the Soldiers worked on basic tasks and drills, close combat attack procedures and land navigation. "Next week we will be putting our training to the test by certifying on skill level tasks based on our rank," he added.

This was the first time since the last deployment to Iraq that the Commando Brigade was able to bring all fire support Soldiers together for one training event. Pfc. Keynan Outlaw, a forward observer with Charlie Troop, 1-89 CAV, said this was a great learning experience for all the fire support Commandos. "We have good experienced leadership out here and we are all able to learn from one another," he said.

Forward observers usually function on their own or in a very small team. This training affords the opportunity for more experienced Soldiers who have deployed and performed their duties in combat to share advice and lessons with the other Soldiers.