Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization

By Capt. Sean MintonOctober 4, 2022

Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, poses for a company photo after completing day and night Table VI operator new equipment training that concludes modernization for the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 28, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (Courtesy Photo) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, completed modernization on Sept. 27 at 10:10 p.m. when a modernized M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank crew fired its last rounds to complete operator new equipment training on Fort Stewart. Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, was the last company in the brigade to conduct modernization OPNET, concluding the modernization process that began with divesting the older vehicle platforms in spring of 2021 as part of the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM.

"The Spartan Brigade is grateful for the opportunity to be the first modernized brigade in the Army," said Col. Ethan J. Diven, commander of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. "We have been blessed with the people, equipment and resources to modernize, and we are now focused on demonstrating our capabilities at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in late winter next year. We will be disciplined, aggressive and lethal."

Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A modernized M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, fires during the last day of Table VI operator new equipment training that will conclude modernization for the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Sean Minton) (Photo Credit: Capt. Sean Minton) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A modernized M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, fires during the last day of Table VI operator new equipment training that will conclude modernization for the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Dustin Stark, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Dustin Stark) VIEW ORIGINAL

The “Panther Battalion,” 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, not only was the last battalion to execute tank modernization, but it also executed final operational test and evaluation for the new Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle this past July.

“It’s humbling to close out modernization for the Spartan Brigade,” said Lt. Col. Timothy W. Decker, commander of the 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “We feel lucky and honored to be a part of the Army modernization story. From completing the final test and evaluation of the AMPV to completing Bradley and tank modernization, the Panthers continue to write history and strengthen the legacy of the 69th Armor Regiment.”

BattleKings qualify on modernized M109A7 Paladin howitzers
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Modernized Paladin M109A7 howitzers, assigned to the “BattleKings Battalion,” 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, prepare to fire for the first time during artillery Table VI section level qualifications as part of the culminating exercise in operator new equipment training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 07, 2021. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Trenton Lowery) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Trenton Lowery) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A row of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles assigned to the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, replace the legacy Humvee as part of Army modernization at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 23, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran) VIEW ORIGINAL
Modernized Mustang Squadron certifies lethality at combined arms live exercise
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A row of modernized M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles assigned to the "Mustang Squadron," 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat, 3rd Infantry Division, receive pre-maintenance checks and services during a combined arms live fire exercise at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 1, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bernabe Lopez III, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Bernabe Lopez III) VIEW ORIGINAL
Gila Focus exercise trains Army's most modern engineer battalion
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the "Gila Battalion," 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct joint assault bridge training on the modernized JAB as part of the Gila Focus validation exercise at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 2, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Thompson, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Daniel Thompson) VIEW ORIGINAL

For modernized combat and combat support vehicle platforms, the Spartan Brigade has received the M109A7 Paladin howitzer, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Joint Assault Bridge and the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank and completed field-level maintenance new equipment training and OPNET for each. Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 69th AR, was the last company in the brigade to finish modernization with the new Abrams tanks.

“I’m really proud of my Soldiers,” said 1st Lt. William Bolton, a tank platoon leader assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT. "The amount of preparation we put into this before we even got the tanks was just impressive to see, couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
A modernized M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, waits in line for night Table VI operator new equipment training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 24, 2022. The "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Jacob Swinson, Executive Officer for Bravo Company, 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT) (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Jacob Swinson) VIEW ORIGINAL

The final tank OPNETs were conducted simultaneously between Alpha and Bravo Company, 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT, each over 17 days and culminating with a final after-action review.

“[Modernization] really makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself and when you get out there and execute flawlessly, it just makes you that much better of a Soldier,” said Staff Sgt. Tanner Latta, a tank commander assigned to the 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “At the end of the day, it’s just all about lessons learned, taking that forward, failing with a positive attitude and succeeding with humility.”

The table qualification is a rigorous exercise for the company’s tank crews and logistics and support systems.

“I mean we were right there, pretty close to getting distinguished, but I’m really proud of myself and our crew,” said Spc. Padriac Smith, a tank gunner assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 69th AR, 2nd ABCT. “I’ve been on [the older A1 tank models] pretty much my whole career and being thrown on the brand new M1A2 SEPv3 [Abrams tank] is a big change.”

Spartan Brigade first in US Army to complete modernization
A modernized M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, moves to its next firing position during the last day of Table VI operator new equipment training that will conclude modernization for the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, and is on glide path to execute a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Dustin Stark, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Dustin Stark) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Spartan Brigade is now the Army’s first brigade to complete modernization in accordance with the ReARMM and is on glide path to execute a rotation at NTC to validate its readiness and proficiency to deploy, fight and win wherever and whenever the nation calls.