A company of Soldiers assembled from throughout the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, deployed to Fort Irwin, California, to assist the training of Soldiers from 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, Jan. 6.
Almost 100 Soldiers formed "Devil's Spawn" company for this mission. Some of the Soldiers that deployed were cavalry scouts from 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT; wheeled vehicle mechanics from 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT; satellite communications systems operators from 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st ABCT; and infantry Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st ABCT.
Their mission was to integrate with the Soldiers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as an infantry company of experienced Soldiers that could assist in providing training to 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., as an opposition force at the National Training Center.
Devil's Spawn company "really was instrumental in the success of the OPFOR mission to provide 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., with a world-class training event," said Lt. Col. Christopher Danbeck, commander, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. "They quickly integrated into the formation and were motivated…
"We could not have done what we needed to without them."
While their mission was to provide 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., with training, the Soldiers used this training opportunity to build readiness and execute some of their skills and training. The Soldiers drove HMMWVs at night under night-vision goggles, used radio equipment, conducted operations expeditiously and fought on the battlefield of NTC with rifle and grenades.
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Williams, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, senior noncommissioned officer the success of the company was due to the motivation and professionalism of the Soldiers and outstanding leadership provide by the NCOs at all levels.
"To take a disparate group of Soldiers, who held a wide array of specialties and forge them into a cohesive team that works and fights well takes a superior level of leadership," Williams said. "My hat is off to the incredible noncommissioned officers of that company who made so many great things happen."
The Soldiers of Devil's Spawn company returned to Fort Riley Jan. 26.
Social Sharing