GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Soldiers from the 106th Financial Management Support Unit, 16th Special Troops Battalion consolidated at Grafenwoehr Training Area for a unit-wide field training exercise, Oct. 22-27.
The training exercise -- "Diamondback Defense" -- required all four of the financial unit's detachments to conduct convoys from various locations in Germany and Italy. The training focused on convoy operations and integrating financial management operations with a combat outpost defense.
"This was an excellent opportunity to further build a cohesive team while conducting base defense and tactical financial management operations in an austere environment," said Maj. Jeremy Eckel, commander of the 106th FMSU.
Diamondback Defense was split into separate phases. Capt. Albert Bindokas, Alpha Detachment Commander, led a terrain-orientation class for key leaders on the first day.
1st Lt. Andrew Werner, Engineer Platoon Leader from Alpha Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was one of key leaders in attendance for the class. His attendance was necessary, because engineer support was vital in laying the initial framework of the linear defense.
Soldiers of the 106th FMSU finalized the outpost by creating fighting positions for crew-served weapons and from vehicles, assembling the command post, laying triple-strand concertina wire, and creating an entry control point.
The second day was strictly for training. Soldiers from the 106th FMSU rotated through various classes, including fighting positions, ECP operations, consolidated defense, and disbursing operations in a remote environment. The training was in preparation for the culminating event, conducting a FMSU COP Defense.
The 106th FMSU Soldiers executed financial management operations while conducting a base defense on day three of the Diamondback Defense. Soldiers defended their fighting positions from opposing forces' hasty attacks.
Eckel and Bindokas led training for introduction to advanced rifle marksmanship and visual signaling techniques after a successful defense.
The 106th FMSU infrequently conducts collective training due to geographic dispersion and enduring mission support requirements.
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