Photo Essay: Operations for Combat Support Training Exercise 78-18-03

Soldiers at Fort McCoy, Wis., for training in Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 78-18-03 completed operations all around the post March 7-8, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis.

CSTX 78-18-03 is an exercise, coordinated by the 78th Training Division, that ensures America's Army Reserve units and Soldiers are trained and ready to deploy on short-notice and bring capable, combat-ready, and lethal firepower in support of the Army and our joint partners anywhere in the world.

CSTX is a Combat Support Training Program (CSTP) exercise, which is a large-scale training event where units experience tactical training scenarios specifically designed to replicate real-world missions, according to the Army Reserve.

CSTP exercises "prepare America's Army Reserve units to be combat-ready by immersing them in realistic scenarios where they train as they would fight."

"This CSTX is one of three being held at Fort McCoy this year," said Training Coordination Branch Chief Craig Meeusen with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. "We are also having a CSTX in June and August."

The March CSTX, which is scheduled to cover the entire month, includes involvement with the Army's Medical Readiness Training Command and with personnel and facilities at the Regional Training Site-Medical at Fort McCoy.

"We expect approximately 3,000 (service members) to participate in this March CSTX," Meeusen said.

Fort McCoy has supported America's armed forces since 1909. The post's varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching "ftmccoy," and on Twitter by searching "usagmccoy."