'Warrior Support' for 'Wolfhounds'

RODRIGUEZ LIVE FIRE COMPLEX, Korea -- Soldiers of the 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division are ensuring that the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, has everything it needs to continue training operations here during their more than month long deployment to Korea during Operation Wolfhound Maul from July 31 to Sept. 9.

From platoon live fire to urban assault missions, the Soldiers of 1-27 Inf. Regt. need support. The 225th BSB has attached a maintenance team and a field feeding team among other assets to help the 'Wolfhounds' accomplish their mission and ensure their continued focus on training.

"We do everything we can to serve the Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Wethly, dining facility manager, 225th BSB. "Sometimes the ranges run long or start early, so we do whatever we can to ensure everyone gets fed."

"It is important for us to identify the problems with the vehicle as quickly as possible so we can get them back out there fast so they can train," said Pfc. Thomas McAllister, a mechanic with 225th BSB.

Along with providing mission critical support to the 'Wolfhounds' the BSB is also helping keep troops motivated and their moral high.

"What we do here helps to improve the moral of the Soldiers that are training," said McNeil. "They know there will be hot food waiting for them when they return."

The Soldiers have a place where they can sit down and relax said Wethly. Being able to watch some TV and relax while enjoying a hot meal does a lot for a Soldier's motivation.

It isn't just the 'Wolfhounds' that are getting tough and realistic training here in Korea, the support elements are getting real world experience with how their lives will be when they deploy.

"What we do here in the field is what we will be doing during deployment operations," said Wethly. "It isn't just the unit we're supporting that gets training, we are training as well."

The more training they get as mechanics while they are here the better they will be able to accomplish their mission when deployed, said McAllister.

It is important for the support elements to train just as much as the combat elements. The Army relies on every element to be proficient in its duties.

"Garrison life isn't the only life in the Army," said Sgt. Rodger Jachim, a team leader with the 225th BSB mechanics detachment. "This is a much different training environment than we would see back home."

The biggest challenge was working with fewer supplies said Jachim. They were able to get approval to repair broken parts rather than just replacing them. That type of training is invaluable experience for future combat operations.

Not only are the Soldiers of the BSB training on their primary duties by supporting the 'Wolfhounds', they are also learning new skills that will assist them in accomplishing future contingency missions.

"I went to an automatic weapons range for the first time," said Spc. Destiny McNeil, a cook with 225th BSB. "I qualified on a squad automatic weapon on my first attempt. It was pretty awesome."

"We've been doing a lot of cross training so that in a pinch our guys have a little bit of experience working on a lot of different systems," said Jachim. "We are much more adaptable now."

From supporting the nutritional needs of our troops to keeping critical equipment rolling the Soldiers of the 225th BSB provide crucial support services in the training being conducted throughout the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.