FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Soldiers of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade rocked their first brigade field exercise of the year, March 17-22.
The 18th Field Artillery Soldiers refined battery defense and fire mission tactics and techniques during the exercise as they continue to support the global response force, and provide long-range precision fire support to the XVIII Airborne Corps.
"We incorporated a reconnaissance helicopter crew from of the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, infantry platoons from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and a team from 3rd Special Forces Group to create a realistic training event," said Capt. Samuel Harrison, a brigade operations planner.
According to Harrison, the participation by additional units provided substantial results in the development of security plans, enemy threats and synchronization efforts.
Soldiers throughout the brigade said the training improved their confidence in executing fire missions and moving under the cover of darkness on a heightened state of alert.
"The training exercise really helped us as a battery to see ourselves," said 1st Sgt. Christopher Black of Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. "Even though our mission as a HIMARS unit is to shoot, move, and communicate, the exercise reminds us that security is a major part of our operations."
Capt. Gene Uhler, the Battery B, 3-27 FAR commander, added to 1st Sgt. Black's remarks.
"One of the challenges of our Soldiers who are new to the Army is impressing on them that HIMARS units will not always be located at a Forward Operating Base, kilometers away from the fight," Capt. Uhler explained. "The exercise helped our Soldiers understand how we support maneuver elements in a nonlinear conflict."
The exercise was the first brigade level training event for the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment since the unit transferred from M777 howitzer artillery to the HIMARS weapons system.
"During the 3-321 FAR first HIMARS field training exercise in January, we practiced critical skills such as live fire. In this exercise, we focused on position improvement and security," explained 1st Lt. Richard Mills of Battery A, 3-321 FAR. "We know this is crucial, but the implementation of the opposing force forced us to do that."
Maj. Frank Maxwell was the lead operations planner for the event.
Our Soldiers proved they are always ready to support our Nation when called through their outstanding work in this exercise," said Maj. Maxwell. "They continue to live up to our brigade motto: "Tough, Proud, Disciplined".
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