Strike Phoenix

By Spc. John SimpsonNovember 22, 2021

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,  101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct forward passage of lines with elements of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, also with 2 BCT. “This exercise tests...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct forward passage of lines with elements of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, also with 2 BCT. “This exercise tests interoperability between the CAV Squadron in 1-75 and line infantry companies with the rest of the brigade,” said 1st Lt. Rainer Moy’huwyler, executive officer of Chaos Troop, with 1-75th. “This helps us prepare, properly coordinate and sustain our troops with lines of efforts with different training areas and achieve our mission effectively.” (Photo Credit: Spc. John Simpson) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Alex Smith and Pfc. Clay Morris, infantrymen with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), dig into a defense fighting position Nov. 14, 2021, at Fort Campbell,...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Alex Smith and Pfc. Clay Morris, infantrymen with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), dig into a defense fighting position Nov. 14, 2021, at Fort Campbell, Ky. Smith and Morris are creating sandbags from the dirt out of their fighting position to create an extra defensive barrier. (Photo Credit: Spc. John Simpson) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), dig into a defense fighting position Nov. 14, 2021, at Fort Campbell, Ky. “We have spent the day finding the...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), dig into a defense fighting position Nov. 14, 2021, at Fort Campbell, Ky. “We have spent the day finding the best position for a defense; we have to ensure that we have the ability to see all of our surroundings while maintaining a low profile for an optimal defensive position,” said Spc. Timothy Kern, an assistant gunner from 1-26th. (Photo Credit: Spc. John Simpson) VIEW ORIGINAL

2nd BCT Strike Phoenix

Story by Spc. John Simpson, 40th Public Affairs Detachment

Fort Campbell, Ky. — During the Division Training Density, Operation Lethal Eagle, the Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), have trained to ensure a new level of lethality during the division-wide exercise.

The 2nd BCT Soldiers have spent this week running Squad-level Training Exercises for patrol lanes, attack positions and effective defense positions to improve overall Soldier readiness.

“We train like we fight so that we will be prepared for whatever comes our way,” said Spc. Timothy Kern, an assistant gunner with 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT. “With that knowing how to properly defend is as important as knowing how to fight for every Soldier.”

The Soldiers of 2nd BCT ran through patrolling lanes that lead into setting up an attack position which then led into digging defensive positions.

The Soldiers of 1-75 CAV under the concealment of night conducted a patrol lane where they had to establish a connection with the infantry forces on ground and then move them to a secure fighting position.

“This exercise test the interoperability of the cavalry Soldiers with the line infantry units we work with” said 1st Lt. Rainer Moy-Huwyler, executive officer for 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT. “The idea behind this is to provide a secure route into an area for infantry Soldiers where they can fight and win.”

The Soldiers from 1-75 led infantry Soldiers into a proper fighting position that then led into the attack STX lanes the following night. After holding their attack position, they tactically moved into a new fighting position and set up their defensive measures.

2nd BCT then reinforced in their Soldiers the importance of a proper defensive position after a command leadership professional development exercise Nov. 10, where command groups from all over the division dug fighting positions that could withstand artillery fire.

Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Maj. Gen. JP McGee, previously stated the importance of setting up proper defensive in the future fight.

The Soldiers of 1-26th created a fighting position for that would be effective for an armored vehicle attack and gave them the advantage of concealment defense and location.

“We are here to deny the enemy freedom of maneuver and key terrain which is this intersection right here,” said Sergeant First Class Brandon Kramer, the First Sergeant for Charlie Company, 1-26th. “We have machine gun and anti-armor positions set up to ensure victory against any enemy movements through this area.”

Creating the proper defense requires a lot of planning when setting up Soldiers because the best offense starts with a good defense, you have to be concealed and able to move so that you can keep the upper hand on your enemy.

2nd BCT ensured their Soldiers maintain optimal fitness and tactical readiness. During Strike Phoenix, it has been the strong foundation for Lethal Eagle.

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