301st MEB maneuvers across Joint Base Lewis-McChord

SEATTLE -- In March, soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), went through a series of maneuver and mobility exercises on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as part of a deployment readiness exercise, and to demonstrate the brigade's ability to command and control troops in a tactical environment.

"These movements test our ability to move ourselves to another location to support a mission," said Master Sgt. Guy M. Sceusa, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 301st. "It could be either C2CRE, or decisive action."

C2CRE stands for Command and Control Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Responsible Element, and is a mission that elements of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade have been assigned to since 2015. Under C2CRE, soldiers and a unit can be expected to be placed on mobilization orders in the event of a major CBRN incident.

Soldiers in the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade set up Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelters (DRASH), communications equipment, generators and everything else needed for the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to command troops in a CBRN or combat environment.

The 301st MEB's culinary artists ensured that everyone had hot meals, instead of the Army's infamous Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), to nourish their bodies while they were in the field.

Corned beef and cabbage was also served in the field, in honor of Saint Patrick's Day.

"We're going back to the basics of being able to move somewhere very quickly and do our mission," said Maj. James S. Riehl, a military police officer with the 301st.

"It's a great learning environment, and every time we go to the field, we learn something," he added.

No matter how much it rained throughout the weekend, most everyone agreed that the training was a great way to bring the 301st together and stay ready for whatever the brigade's next mission may be.

"This would be the proper way to respond to an incident " said Pfc. Samantha M. Stambaugh, a military police soldier with the 301st. "We do these exercises so that we are prepared."

"It was a solid effort by all levels of the command," added Spc. Regan J. Klepac, a human resources specialist with headquarters company. "It tests our unit's morale and our ability to quickly and efficiently be ready for anything."

"It was a full moon, and I saw a coyote," Stambaugh said. "That was the best part."