Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion., 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, had the opportunity to show off their Strykers to the 2-9 Manchus.
Co. C/1-24, stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, visited Korea in support of Key Resolve. During their training, they conducted joint Sergeants' time Training with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Feb. 21 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex.
The 25th ID is primarily a light infantry, rapid deployment force, capable of movement to any operational area in the Asia - Pacific region within 24 hours. The first and second brigade combat teams mainly employ Stryker Armored Vehicles.
The "Manchu" Soldiers rode along and practiced firing off rounds from the Stryker's .50 Caliber machine gun.
"I want to get my guys familiar on the Stryker, a great system I had the chance to be a part of for about five years," said Command Sgt. Maj. Bobby Gallardo, 2nd Bn., 9th Inf. Regt., 1HBCT, 2ID.
For 28 months Gallardo served as the company first sergeant for the same company that was training his Manchu Soldiers, he said.
"I hope my guys realize that despite the differences between the Bradley and the Stryker, when the ramp drops its all the same, - just a ride to the fight," said Gallardo. "Regardless of what they ride, as infantrymen they are the tip of the spear."
The commander of Co. C had a similar point that he tried to convey to the Soldiers during his instruction to them.
"The most lethal part of a Stryker is the amount of guys in the back of the vehicle and their ability to get where they need to be fast and protected," said Capt. Jeremiah C. Hurley, company commander, Co. C, 1st Bn., 24th Inf. Regt., 1SBCT.
Both the Soldiers of "Manchu" and Co. C were able to gain a little knowledge.
"Overall, the training was a good chance for Soldiers to learn from each other, said Pvt. Christopher Hornecker, infantryman, A co., 2nd Bn., 9th Inf. Regt., 1HBCT, 2ID.
"This has been an amazing experience; 2-9, 2ID, and 8th Army have been bending over backwards to provide us with anything we could possibly need," said Hurley. "We're extremely grateful that we had this opportunity."
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