Iron Strike 18: Troops participate in PCMS training exercise

By CourtesyOctober 12, 2018

Iron Strike 18: Troops participate in PCMS training exercise
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 61st Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conduct cold load training on a UH-60 Black Hawk, Aug. 29, 2018, during Iron Strike at Pinon Canyon, Colorado. The training prepared the Soldi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iron Strike 18: Troops participate in PCMS training exercise
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PIÑON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colorado - Soldiers from Coldblood Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participated in the Iron Strike 18 exercise with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Aug. 21 to Sept. 9.

The Soldiers executed several dismounted reconnaissance missions in support of 3rd ABCT's training exercise.

"(We provide) the ability to move far forward, past the forward line of troops and pull information for leaders on the ground without creating a large signature," said Sgt. 1st Class Glen Stumm, platoon sergeant, Coldblood Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT.

Stumm said his unit's ability to gather information allowed the commander to make informed decisions that could potentially save lives.

Iron Strike 18 also helped highlight the capabilities of a reconnaissance force in an armored brigade, according to leadership.

"Working with an armored brigade has been challenging, but a great learning experience," said Capt. Alexander Boroff, commander, Coldblood Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. "Coldblood Troop

has been accustomed to working exclusively with light fighting forces.

This was an opportunity to integrate our tactical concepts with theirs, and increase interoperability before the upcoming training rotation at

the National Training Center (in Fort Irwin, California). I believe both units learned a great deal from each other."

The exercise also allowed the Soldiers to sharpen their reconnaissance and surveillance skills and expand their knowledge.

"I think the most challenging part of our mission was the unfamiliarity that we had in regard to armored tactics and vehicles," said Sgt. Aaron Sutherland, team leader, Coldblood Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. "We entered this exercise knowing there would be challenges and with limited knowledge of how an armored brigade operates. By the end of Iron Strike (18), I felt much more comfortable operating in conjunction with the 'Iron' brigade. We are looking forward to applying what we learned ... at the National Training Center."

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