Oregon Army Guardsmen, Canadian Reservists enhance joint readiness in Cougar Rage exercise

By Master Sgt. John HughelMay 3, 2018

Exercise Cougar Rage 18
1 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – As Exercise Cougar Rage nears the final training battle scenario, Canadian military vehicles enter the 'Leschi Town' training village at sunrise, April 29, 2018, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, bringing supplies and eventfully to pick up Soldie... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
2 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers play the role of enemy combatants as they move to take key buildings in the 'Leschi Town' training village during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Exercise Cougar Rage brought t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
3 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers play the role of enemy combatants as they move to take key buildings in the 'Leschi Town' training village during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Exercise Cougar Rage brought t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
4 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers play the role of enemy combatants as they move to take key buildings in the 'Leschi Town' training village during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Exercise Cougar Rage brought t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
5 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers play the role of enemy combatants as they move to take the 'Leschi Town Worship Center' during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Exercise Cougar Rage brought together the Oregon ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
6 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard and Canadian Army Reserve medics work together to move a wounded Soldier into an ambulance at the training village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Exer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
7 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, wait for orders to being searching buildings for enemy combatants in the training village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Join... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
8 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the Oregon National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
9 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists Private Chung Hyeon Kim (left) and Private Chakkathon Duangkaew (right) assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, advance their position as they head toward the village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
10 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Spc. Noah Bryant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment takes a moment to repair his uniform and organize last minute details prior to heading out for training at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Rage, April... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
11 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, takes a moment to inventory weapons and organize last minute details prior to heading out for training at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
12 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists Private Chung Hyeon Kim assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, establishes a firing position inside one of many buildings at the training village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise Cougar Rage, April ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
13 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the Oregon National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and the 39th Canadian Brigade Group enter the 'Leschi Town' training village at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon Nat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
14 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group holds a defensive position with other platoon members as they wait to advance onto the 'Leschi Town' training site at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28, 2018, as part of Exercise Cougar Rage, Apr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
15 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Tyson Bumgardner (left) the Platoon Sergeant for the Scout Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade goes over several maps with team members prior to training in the 'Leschi Town,' vill... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
16 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Spc. Alex Beglau, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade looks from his sniper position from inside one of several training buildings at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Rage, A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
17 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
18 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Tyson Bumgardner (center) the Platoon Sergeant for the Scout Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade goes over several maps with Sgt. Ryan Wilson (left) prior to training in the 'Lesch... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
19 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
20 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen (left) a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade assists Spc. Alex Beglau (right) establish a sniper position inside one of several training buildings at 'Leschi Town... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
21 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Spc. Alex Beglau, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade looks from his sniper position from inside one of several training buildings at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Rage, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
22 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Staff Sgt. Jon Paul Hanson, a sniper with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, establishes a firing position inside one of many training buildings at 'Leschi Town' training area, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-McChor... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
23 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Staff Sgt. Jon Paul Hanson, a sniper with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, enters the 'Leschi Town' training area during an early morning advancement during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-Mc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
24 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade, moves along a roadway into the training village of 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Joint Ba... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
25 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, listen to an after-action report as Exercise Cougar Rage 18 concl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
26 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade, establishes a firing position inside one of several training buildings at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Rage, Apri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
27 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade, establishes a tactical firing position inside one of several training buildings at 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar R... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
28 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
29 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in four-days ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
30 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Combat Brigade, holds a defensive position along the roadway leading into the training village of 'Leschi Town,' during Exercise Cougar Ra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
31 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen (right) a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment discusses plans combat training at 'Leschi Town' training village, as Private Chakkathon Duangkaew (center) an infantry Soldier assigned ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
32 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Sgt. Jarred Hansen, a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment (right) leads a planning meeting with members during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 27, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Cougar Rage ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
33 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Paul Mannelly (right) a scout platoon member assigned to 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, describes some of the equipment used by his team to members of the 39th Canadian Brigade Group prior to the start of Exer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
34 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Tyler Takagi (right), assigned as a radiotelephone operator with the scout platoon, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, performs communication checks with Spc. Dakota Cunningham (left) prior to the start of Exercis... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
35 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the Oregon National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and the 39th Canadian Brigade Group enter the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon Nation... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
36 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group hold a defensive position while waiting to advance into the 'Leschi Town' training site at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28, 2018, as part of Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 26-29. Oregon Army Nat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
37 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists Private Cody Brinson, assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a position with his platoon waiting outside of the training village of 'Leschi Town' during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, at Joint Base L... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
38 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists Private Cody Brinson, assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a position with his platoon outside of the training village of 'Leschi Town' during Exercise Cougar Rage 18 at Joint Base Lewis-McCh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
39 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guard Spc. Alex Beglau (left) and Staff Sgt. Jarred Hansen (right) snipers with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, scan the 'Leschi Town' training village combatants attack their position, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
40 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group move equipment from supply vehicles into the 'Leschi Town' training village at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
41 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group observes fellow platoon members move into advancing positions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28, 2018, as part of Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 26-29. Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers inte... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
42 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the Leschi Village training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in four-days... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
43 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists Private James Choi, assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a defensive position outside of the training village of 'Leschi Town', as members of his platoon wait to advance to the next position ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
44 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group holds a defensive position with other platoon members while covering advancing members during an attack on Leschi Village training site at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28, 2018, as part of Exer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
45 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservist Corporal Darren Sidor assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, waits to move into a forward position during Exercise Cougar Rage at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Oregon National ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
46 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group watches fellow team members move into advancing positions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28, 2018, as part of Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 26-29. Members of the Oregon National Guard's 2nd B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
47 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in four-days ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
48 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Canadian Army Soldier assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a defensive position outside of the training village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
49 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservist Private Benjamin Smith assigned with the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a hilltop position, waiting to move into a forward position during Exercise Cougar Rage at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
50 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in four-days ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
51 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group proceed along a road march toward the 'Leschi Town' training area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took part in four-days ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
52 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reserve Private Chakkathon Duangkaew, assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, advances along a roadway into the training village of 'Leschi Town' during Exercise Cougar Rage 18 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
53 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, work to secure buildings inside the village of 'Leschi Town', during Exercise Cougar Rage, April 28, 2018, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
54 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group move equipment from supply vehicles into the 'Leschi Town' training village as they establish defensive positions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon N... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
55 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, holds a defensive position in the village of 'Leschi Town', as members of his platoon move equipment from supply vehicles during Exercise Cougar Rage, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
56 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Paul Mannelly, assigned to the scout platoon, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, establishes a defensive observation firing position inside one of many training buildings at 'Leschi Town', Joint Base Lewis-McChord... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
57 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group move equipment from supply vehicles into the 'Leschi Town' training village area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and Canada took par... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
58 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Paul Mannelly, assigned to the scout platoon, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, focuses his attention, firing at enemy combatants from inside one of many training buildings at 'Leschi Town', Joint Base Lewis-McCh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
59 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, move a wounded Soldier during the final phase of training in the village of 'Leschi Town', as part of Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 29, 2018, at Joint... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
60 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Col. David Awalt 39th Canadian Brigade Group Commander, addresses Soldiers during an after-action report as Exercise Cougar Rage 18 concludes in the training village of 'Leschi Town' at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 29, 20... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
61 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guardsmen from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, listen to an after-action report as Exercise Cougar Rage 18 concludes at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
62 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oregon National Guardsmen from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, listen to an after-action report as Exercise Cougar Rage concludes at Joi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
63 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, move a wounded Soldier during the final phase of training in the village of 'Leschi Town', as part of Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 29, 2018, at Joint... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
64 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Col. David Awalt 39th Canadian Brigade Group Commander (right) expresses his appreciation and support with Oregon National Guard Capt. Troy Bagnall (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Tyson Bumgardner (center) as Exercise Cougar Rage 18 concludes... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
65 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
66 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservists assigned to the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, move a wounded Soldier during the final phase of training in the village of 'Leschi Town', as part of Exercise Cougar Rage, April 29, 2018, at Joint Ba... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
67 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise Cougar Rage 18
68 / 68 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Canadian Army Reservist Corporal Darren Sidor assigned to the 39th Brigade Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, waits to move into a forward position during Exercise Cougar Rage 18 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 28, 2018. Oregon Army N... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Soldiers from the U.S. and the 39th Canadian Brigade Group took part in a multi-day exercise, allowing a unique opportunity to integrate support and skills while improving long-term readiness for both nations during Exercise Cougar Rage 18, April 26-29, 2018 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Oregon Army National Guardsmen with the scout platoon from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, attached with several Canadian Light Infantry platoons, providing gap-capabilities to enhance mission essential task lists for future evaluations later this year.

The Soldiers spent the first two days working on weapons qualification and rappelling prior to the "exercise-intensive" culmination, where the fully integrated teams undertook an advance on the mock village of "Leschi Town."

"For our guys, this really is a great rehearsal before our own evaluations later this summer (at Camp Roberts, California)," explained Sgt. 1st Class Tyson Bumgardner, the platoon sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment. "Our mission during this exercise is to get out ahead of the Canadians; to get eyes on the site, collect intelligence and report it back to their company commanders prior to the attack on the village."

As the Canadian forces began their early dawn advancement along the western side of the village, the snipers from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment scout platoon provided real-time intelligence and suppressive firing protection. After the initial attack, the combined forces established secure positions inside several buildings, as the exercise posture shifted from offensive to defensive scenarios. Once established, the forces held the far end of the village as several waves of well-planned attacks transpired throughout the day and into the night.

"This is an intensive event for us; integrating with a different country's army is exciting and they operate differently, but at its core, what we undertook during this exercise is something we have been practicing for well over 18 months with this group," said Bumgardner.

For the 39th Canadian Brigade Group, the planning for the exercise began months in advance as many of the Group's leaders visited Oregon to meet and build the exercise plan with the scout platoon.

"When planning for the exercise, we traveled down to Oregon to invite them into the integration process of the MPC (Mission Planning Center) and other aspects of the exercise," explained Maj. Pawel Dudek, Canadian Plans and Policy (G5) for the 39th Canadian Brigade Group. "In the past, we have trained many times with the U.S. military but this is the first time a scout formation has joined our actual formation out in the field."

The weeks of planning and accumulated training prior to the exercise were quickly put to the test as the exercise developed. Several team members of the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment established a clear vantage point inside a crucial building in Leschi Town; two Canadian Soldiers were assigned to work side-by-side with the scout platoon.

"They tasked us the night before the raid, attaching us to the sniper teams," explained Pvt. Chakkathon Duangkaew, an infantryman with the 39th Canadian Brigade Group. "This was my first time to work with American Soldiers, and learned a lot in the experience, from how the snipers prepare their camouflage in the field, to how they hide their depths inside the buildings. It was really worthwhile."

This type of learning and trying new tasks was a central theme of the training by both the U.S. and Canadian Soldiers, and was echoed by 39th Brigade Group Commander Colonel David Awalt during the conclusion of the training.

"Hopefully, during the week you were able to learn something; whether it was a Soldier skill or leadership skill," he said, during the after action report. "I know that training like this can often be uncomfortable, but that's really the best way to learn and it made for a great exercise."

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