Soldiers who are stationed across the Korean Peninsula must be ready at a moment's notice. They sleep with one eye open, their bags packed and secured in a wall locker, ready for the phone call that wake them from peaceful dreams.
The 210th Fires Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division conducted a brigade-wide recall alert Sept. 17 on Camp Casey.
The alert tested the brigade's readiness to respond quickly as well as effectively.
"We must conduct this training, so we are prepared to respond to any aggression against our allies or our host nation," said Capt. Garrett Nee, of Chicago, Ill., the battalion fire direction officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Fires Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. "This training is important because we never know when the call will happen,"
According to Staff Sgt. Scott Wilson, of Vermillion, S.D., a launcher chief assigned to C Battery, 6th Bn., 37th FA Regt., alerts are the foundation for the brigade readiness.
Being able to respond quickly and safely allows 210th Fires Bde., to take the fight to the enemy quicker and deter aggression.
"It fits into the 'fight tonight' readiness by ensuring everyone has the latest information with the mission at hand," said Wilson. "If we do not plan or practice as if we were going to war, then we would not know how to respond properly when that time comes."
The training is designed to be very informative and very realistic to ensure Soldiers are proficient in their jobs.
"I received a call from my first-line supervisor telling me to get my equipment and report to the battery to draw my weapon," said Pfc. Joseph Whyte, of Bethesda, Md., a multiple launch rocket system operations, fire direction specialist assigned to B Battery, 6th Bn., 37th FA Regt. "To receive a call like that really gets your heart racing."
Wilson said, the training provides Soldiers a chance to get familiar with the equipment and understand the battle drills of the battalion.
"If a crew member is injured then another person can replace them in the vehicle and continue with their mission without missing a beat," said Wilson.
With the personnel high turnover rate in 210th Fires Bde., it is important for all Soldiers to understand the threat level they face while they are stationed here.
"Having this type of training ensures everyone is on the same sheet of music," Nee added. "Soldiers down to the lowest level are able to arrive at any vehicle and start the process of preparing it so we can roll out."
Conducting tough, realistic training will always be the foundation for 210th Fires Bde., build Soldiers' confidence in their equipment and to ensure they can provide a strong defense to deter aggression against the Korean Peninsula.
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