'Gun Devils' assume outload support battalion mission

By Sgt. Juan F. Jimenez, 1st BCT, 82nd ABN DIV Public AffairsJuly 24, 2014

'Gun Devils' take on OSB
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Gun Devils' take on OSB
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- The 82nd Airborne Division serves as a key component of the nation's Global Response Force, set to respond to contingencies around the world with little-to-no notice. In order to respond to the nation's call, a detailed outload plan is put into play to rapidly deploy the GRF.

The unit responsible for outload operations is 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment--the "Gun Devils"--in the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.

"We are [fortunate] the 82nd Airborne Division and our brigade has enough confidence in the "Gun Devils" to allow us to be in charge of the outload support mission," said Maj. Michael R. Garry, operations officer for the Gun Devils.

On the morning of July 14, the Gun Devils were notified they were going to take part in a large scale Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise to provide outload support to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, who are currently tasked with the GRF mission.

Garry said as part of the exercise the unit had to assemble within two hours from the time of notification.

Once assembled, the batteries moved to their respective sections: Mission Control; Team Movement; Central Loading Area Control Center; the Heavy Drop Rig Site; and Green Ramp.

In the time span of 60 hours, the Gun Devils provided logistical resources to almost 400 paratroopers, meeting the commander's intent to support and supply the GRF mission.

"I was very happy with this exercise," said Lt. Col. Phillip G. Jenison, commander of the Gun Devils. "We built the right mindset. I was very happy with the Paratroopers on the ground. The planning, the coordination and the execution that we did were a success."

Jenison said one of the challenges the Gun Devils faced in completing the mission was achieving a high level of understanding of how the OSB mission fits into the bigger picture.

While this operation might seem small in comparison to the GRF mission, it is a key component of the Division's readiness to respond to any global contingency. The Gun Devils are slated to support the GRF unit until late fall of 2015.

"This is about building a sense of urgency and getting in the mindset that we are first responders," said Jenison. "We won't fail this [operation]; this is a zero fail mission."