168th Brigade Support Battalion Soldiers established logistics support to all units within their area of operation April 20-26, during an exercise at Camp Gruber near Muskogee, Okla.
The exercise included land navigation, a confidence course, water treatments, sling load operations, a gas chamber with the correctional emergency response team and improvised explosive device training.
"The purpose for the training was to get away from the installation so the battalion can focus strictly on battalion and company level training," said Command Sgt. Maj. John Hale, 168th BSB CSM. "Camp Gruber provided us the best opportunity to complete this training without any distraction."
Hale said the exercise provided his battalion a lot of great training.
"I believe the Soldiers received outstanding value from the training, but the thing that was most valuable was the time to build camaraderie and teamwork," he said. "They worked with each other to overcome some of their fears about not being able to do things."
Teamwork was a big part for some of the Soldiers, such as Spc. Gabby Bazan, to complete the confidence course.
"The confidence course was my favorite because some of us are not gifted with height," she said. "The Soldiers that lack the height pulled together to accomplish each obstacle and while we may not have been the fastest, the experience was team building."
The scenarios were a little different from the battalion's every day duties, which normally consist of maintenance and supporting the battalions within the brigade.
For this exercise, the battalion's convoyed down to Camp Gruber and set up the battalion tactical operations center. Once completed, the battalion initiated water, fuel and maintenance operations, tracked battle units and maintained communications systems.
Going to Camp Gruber played a big part for the Soldiers holding the military occupational specialty of water treatment specialist because they are not allowed to purify water on Fort Sill.
Water treatment specialists installed and operated the water purification equipment, as well as dealt with water storage and distribution operations. They also did water quality analysis testing and verification, assisted in water reconnaissance and site preparation, operated and maintained water treatment equipment and assisted in setup of water treatment activity.
The battalion used a tactical water purification system, which uses reverse osmosis technology, to produce 1,500 gallons per hour of potable water from any source, including salt water and nuclear, biological or chemically contaminated water. The system includes pretreatment capabilities, chemical injection, high-pressure pumps, control panel values, piping, cold weather protection, wastewater collection, five 3,000 gallon onion tanks and an ocean-water intake system. It also includes distribution equipment to fill canteens or five gallon water cans.
Anyone can come up to Pfc. Christopher Moss from A Company and ask him about the system he uses to purify water and he will explain the process from start to finish. He is really enthusiastic when it comes to purifying water and enjoys informing others about it.
"I have been doing this job for eight years and have enjoyed every minute I get to purify water," said Moss. "I got out of the Army for about two years and came back in because I prefer to purify water."
Battalion Soldiers even got in gas chamber training. There they interacted with correctional emergency response team members who work for a private company that responds to prison riots at 65 facilities across the country.
John Winborn and Ian Forsman were some of the members who interacted with the Soldiers of 168th BSB at the gas chamber.
"It was a privilege to be able to work and train with the Soldiers," said Winborn. "I appreciate everything the Soldiers do to keep us safe."
"It was an honor and truly fun to work with the Soldiers of the 168th BSB," said Forsman.
For Spc. Hector Perez, a unit supply specialist assigned to A Company, this was his first unit and also the first time going to Camp Gruber.
"We do not get to do much training like this being in a support battalion," said Perez. "So being able to come out here to train and get dirty is always fun.
"Being in the Army, one of the most important things is knowing the Soldiers you are working with and coming out to Camp Gruber allowed let us do that and build camaraderie," he said.
The battalion plans on going back to Camp Gruber in the near future for more training that the camp provides Soldiers, said Hale.
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