Dragoon Ready 23 enhances readiness with new equipment

Hohenfels, GERMANY — Soldiers assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2-2 CR) test the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) during Dragoon Ready 23 in Hohenfels, Germany, February 1, 2023. Dragoon Ready is designed to ensure readiness and train the Regiment in its mission essential tasks in support of unified land operations to enhance proficiency and improve interoperability with NATO Allies.

Dragoon Ready 23 has approximately 2,500 U.S. Soldiers from the 2d Cavalry Regiment and 150 service members from Italy and the United Kingdom. This large-scale mission’s purpose is to build redundancies, train in austere environments and develop Soldiers’ skills and capabilities.

“We don’t want a single point of failure,” said Capt. Kyle Douglas, Observer Controller and Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, “My job is to develop Soldiers and see how they can improve.”

A team comprised of Soldiers specialized in operations, communications, field artillery, fire control, and signal support systems, were grouped in order to test and operate new equipment during the training exercise.

“This mission is unique because we are utilizing our new communications infrastructure,” said Maj. Joshua Dusing, 2-2 operations officer. This new equipment allows the communication range to expand and bridge networks.

This exercise also utilized 12th Combat Aviation Brigade for air support which aided in interoperability within the force. The JMRC hosts multiple trainings at the squadron level in preparation for a culminating event, utilizing additional units and trains the regiment collectively.

“We have brand new fielding, it’s enhancing our capabilities, and this allows us to test systems in the field,” said Douglas.

Dragoon Ready enhances unit proficiency while building cohesive teams within the Army and its Allied and partner nations.

“This operation is well prepared and rehearsed, which allows our Army to be successful,” said Dusing.