1st SBCT tackles EDRE, NTC rotation load out

By Ashton EmptyJuly 28, 2020

Soldiers assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, secure chains to a 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team M1133 medical evacuation vehicle at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, secure chains to a 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team M1133 medical evacuation vehicle at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Billy Fletcher, a cavalry scout assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives a COVID-19 test in preparation for his upcoming rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, July 25, 2020. The 1st SBCT tested more than 180 Soldiers that day for COVID-19 in preparation for the unit's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Billy Fletcher, a cavalry scout assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives a COVID-19 test in preparation for his upcoming rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, July 25, 2020. The 1st SBCT tested more than 180 Soldiers that day for COVID-19 in preparation for the unit's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pfc. Kenneth Valdehueza, an indirect fire infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division has his arm swabbed with alcohol prior to a blood draw at the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) Center at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 17, 2020. The Fort Carson SRP site expanded its hours to accommodate the 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while also ensuring proper social distancing and wearing of face coverings. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Kenneth Valdehueza, an indirect fire infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division has his arm swabbed with alcohol prior to a blood draw at the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) Center at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 17, 2020. The Fort Carson SRP site expanded its hours to accommodate the 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while also ensuring proper social distancing and wearing of face coverings. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, go through various stations at the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) Center as part of 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 17, 2020. The Fort Carson SRP site expanded its hours to accommodate the EDRE while also ensuring proper social distancing and wearing of face coverings. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, go through various stations at the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) Center as part of 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 17, 2020. The Fort Carson SRP site expanded its hours to accommodate the EDRE while also ensuring proper social distancing and wearing of face coverings. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Shawn Mercer, a cavalry scout assigned to Alpha Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, guides a Stryker onto a railcar at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 3rd ABCT provided support to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team's no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
5 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Shawn Mercer, a cavalry scout assigned to Alpha Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, guides a Stryker onto a railcar at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 3rd ABCT provided support to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team's no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Casandra Corpus, a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducts a COVID-19 test on a Soldier at the Centralized Screening and Testing Center at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 25, 2020. The 1st SBCT tested more than 180 Soldiers for COVID-19 in preparation for the unit's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Casandra Corpus, a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducts a COVID-19 test on a Soldier at the Centralized Screening and Testing Center at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 25, 2020. The 1st SBCT tested more than 180 Soldiers for COVID-19 in preparation for the unit's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Cole Arnold, a fire support specialist attached to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives paperwork from Jessica Rivera, an Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) proctor, verifying his completion of the ANAM as part of the 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 18, 2020. Joint Base San Antonio provided ANAM proctors and additional computers to support the ANAM portion of soldier readiness processing to 1st SBCT's EDRE. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
7 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Cole Arnold, a fire support specialist attached to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives paperwork from Jessica Rivera, an Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) proctor, verifying his completion of the ANAM as part of the 1st SBCT's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 18, 2020. Joint Base San Antonio provided ANAM proctors and additional computers to support the ANAM portion of soldier readiness processing to 1st SBCT's EDRE. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Lorelyna Sierra, an army transportation management coordinator assigned to 152nd Movement Control Team, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, inspects paperwork and provides feedback to Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in preparation for 1st SBCT's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center and to meet objectives for the brigade's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 16, 2020. The 1st SBCT received the mission to execute a no-notice EDRE on July 15. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Lorelyna Sierra, an army transportation management coordinator assigned to 152nd Movement Control Team, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, inspects paperwork and provides feedback to Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in preparation for 1st SBCT's upcoming rotation to the National Training Center and to meet objectives for the brigade's Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 16, 2020. The 1st SBCT received the mission to execute a no-notice EDRE on July 15. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to move their vehicles onto railcars during rail yard operations at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
9 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to move their vehicles onto railcars during rail yard operations at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Anthony Yannarella, a cannon crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes final maintenance checks on his section's assigned M777 howitzer during rail yard operations at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker)
10 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Anthony Yannarella, a cannon crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes final maintenance checks on his section's assigned M777 howitzer during rail yard operations at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2020. The 1st SBCT executed a no-notice Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise while preparing for its upcoming rotation to the National Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Parker) (Photo Credit: Capt. Daniel Parker) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo - Amid the chaos of prepping for a National Training Center (NTC) rotation, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, received an order to execute an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE).

With a tight timeframe, a worldwide pandemic, and an already busy schedule preparing to move out to NTC, 1st SBCT was kept on its toes as the order for an EDRE commenced.

An EDRE is a three-phase operation. Phase I is alert and prepare. Phase II is deployment of equipment. Phase III is deployment of personnel.

The exercise began with the alert notification of the order.

“I found out two hours before the entire formation did,” said Col. Ike Sallee, commander of 1st SBCT. “Yes, there was no notice, but one of the priorities here at the Ivy Division is to always be ready to go anywhere at any time.”

Raider Soldiers with 1st SBCT as well as civilians employed here on Fort Carson worked long hours to make sure the EDRE was completed successfully.

Soldiers began packing and preparing by going through the standard deployment motions, such as attending weapons ranges, packing their gear and verifying paperwork.

The exercise then moved on to the next phase, deployment of equipment.

The 1st SBCT worked countless hours to make sure all vehicles and containers were accounted for and ready to depart from the post.

“Our leadership has done a great job,” said 1st Lt. Dante Jordan, a chemical officer assigned to 2-12 Field Artillery Regiment, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “They have been able to balance realistic expectations versus the mission we have to accomplish, which has helped to guide us along."

The brigade leadership worked alongside juniors, peers, and civilians to ensure operations went smoothly.

“It has been a learning experience for a lot of people, myself included,” Jordan said. “Especially having to work alongside outside organizations like civilians.”

The final phase of the exercise was the deployment of personnel.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several restrictions on Soldier movement as well as a slight change to the standard uniform.

“We have adapted to COVID-19 over time and we continue to train each day.” said Maj. Gen. Matt McFarlane, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division. “The safety and protection of our community and Soldiers are the top priorities.”

With this phase came the Soldier readiness process, COVID-19 testing and pre-deployment quarantining.

Every Soldier completed the SRP process which included hearing, vision, vitals and labs. After the SRP process was complete, the Soldiers entered a 96-hour quarantine period followed by a mandatory COVID-19 test prior to boarding buses bound for the National Training Center.

The completion of that as well as the previous phases concluded the EDRE and the start of Soldiers departure to NTC.