This exercise was designed to certify the unit's ability to alert, marshal and deploy and give Soldiers and leaders an opportunity to test their expeditionary readiness and ability to deploy a tactical actions center (TAC) and Mobile Command Group (MCG) on short notice. It also provided them with the chance to challenge and improve established timelines, processes and procedures in a time-constrained environment.
"A lot of effort goes into an exercise like this but the more you practice, the better the unit is at performing its missions," said Sgt. 1st Class Maria McDonnell, operations noncommissioned officer, HHC, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
The alert message began the sequence of events beginning with the assembly of personnel and ending with personnel and equipment, fully organized and prepared to deploy and provide mission command as directed.
Throughout the exercise, Soldiers received training on packing up and relocating the TAC, unit movement, building pallets, and properly handling hazardous materials. Additionally during the exercise, Soldiers drew their assigned weapons and tactically moved the equipment from point of origin to the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG), where they received further training on air-load operations.
McDonnell added, "The tasks we conducted during this exercise taught the participants valuable skills that will make them better for this unit, its mission, and the Army as they transition in the future."
Although the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed, conducting a security cooperation and partnership mission in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility, it is imperative that they continue training to further develop their deployment skills and maintain the ability to quickly provide forces to meet requirements for the full range of military operations on short notice.
"Regardless if your unit is deployed or not, you have to continue training and improving," said Capt. Christopher Behm, commander, HHC, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. "Being prepared and able to quickly respond is our responsibility and training like this ensures we are prepared to accomplish our missions successfully in an actual event."
The exercise built upon individual and collective training that 3rd ABCT members conducted over the past year in preparation for its current deployment to Southwest Asia.
The HHC, 3rd ABCT deployment readiness exercise tested the units' expeditionary capabilities to support USCENTCOM requirements and provided valuable experience and training for its members.
"This exercise was a success," said Behm. "It provided us all more experience which will make us better prepared as a team to accomplish any mission."
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