FORT HOOD, Texas- Ten Soldiers from the Targeting and Acquisition Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, were the first to deploy from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, Sep. 2.
The Long Knife brigade is the first advise and assist brigade from the division to deploy since Operation Iraq Freedom ended and Operation New Dawn began, on Sept. 1.
"Everyone is trained up," said Chief Warrant Officer Charles Brooks, the platoon's leader. "We're here to help protect the force during our deployment and that mission continues despite the transition to Operation New Dawn."
The Targeting and Acquisition Platoon is responsible for using various systems including radar to detect indirect fire attacks against the brigade. The platoon is critical to providing the brigade commander with necessary information used to protect the force while.
"This platoon is the first in the army to use the EQ-36 radar in a deployed environment," said Lt. Col. Robert Magee, commander of the 5-82nd FA. "They've been training hard together for the last eight months ensuring they know how to use the system and correctly identify where enemy targets are using this system."
The 4th BCT has been equipped with the EQ-36 radar as part of the brigade's sensor systems and will provide its first, real-world test as it uses the equipment during its deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.
"I know my job well," said Pvt. James Brock, a firefinder radar operator in the platoon. "This is my first time deployment, and I've learned a lot about the EQ-36 during field training. It's a great radar."
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