FORT KNOX, Ky. (April 18, 2011) - Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) trained at Fort Knox's Burcham Urban Assault Course on Thursday, April 14.
The Sustainers trained at the urban assault course as part of the 3d ESC's sergeant's time training, which is hands-on, practical training for Soldiers given by their noncommissioned officers.
Throughout the urban assault course, Soldiers trained on the proper methods of clearing buildings, negotiating obstacles and crossing open terrain, all the while enduring constant paintball fire from hidden assailants.
"Today's training was a way to get the Soldiers away from the ordinary slideshow presentation class and get them out to have some fun... while still training effectively and accomplishing the mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Porch, the 3d ESC's Headquarters and Headquarters Company operations NCO.
Porch, who coordinated the training, said that while the day's events were fun for the Soldiers, they were still an effective method of the 3d ESC training for upcoming missions and deployments.
"Even though we were here having fun, we were training and preparing to go to Afghanistan or Iraq if we're called."
The Burcham urban assault course provided the Sustainers with real-life scenarios and training aids that simulated combat operations in a deployed environment. Throughout the course, Soldiers were often surprised by simulated explosives and booby traps. To successfully navigate the course, Soldiers were required to use the training they received earlier from 3d ESC NCOs with combat experience.
"This course allows Soldiers to receive the training they need for real-world missions," said Mark Sweetman, the range manager at Burcham urban assault course. "We try to make this course as life-like as possible so that can get the real-world training here so that it benefits Soldiers in their real-world missions."
Overall, the Sustainers were pleased with the training held at the urban assault course and look forward to conducting this type of training again in the future.
"This training was good and I learned a lot," said Pvt. Craig Abel, a generator mechanic with the 3d ESC. "This course provided learning situations that could help you in the future if you're actually getting shot at."
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