Table XVIII, a true raider first; 'Table XVIII' keeps Raiders on their feet

By Spc. Emily Knitter, 1HBCT Public AffairsMay 11, 2012

Table XVIII
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Table XVIII'
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Paladin rolls along a tank trail on Fort Stewart at the kick off of 1HBCT's 'Table XVIII,' April 30. The week-long live fire exercise utilized all maneuver assets the Raider Brigade had to offer in one of the largest training exercises conducted on... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers with 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team recently completed one of the largest live-fire exercises conducted on Fort Stewart in years. More commonly called 'Table XVIII', the weeklong training mission began on the west side of post, and proceeded to move across the area before concluding May 4. Every element available was deployed, from Humvees to Unmanned Aerial Surveillance vehicles and Paladins to Forward Repair Systems.

While the exercise's main focus was on the movement and accuracy of the gun teams from 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, the training benefitted everyone in the Raider Brigade.

"Shooting Table XVIII for us is a tough, realistic training scenario," said 1st Lt. Jenkins Dove, platoon leader with 1st Plt., Battery A, 1/41 FA Regt. "[We are out here] to help provide our firers lethal and non-lethal training in support of the brigade's operations, and ultimately to save lives."

This scenario has been a long time coming for the Soldiers of the Raider Brigade.

"This is the end of the tunnel as far as train-up goes," said Staff Sgt. Cody Danser, platoon sergeant with 1st Plt., Btry. A. "We started with a blank sheet of paper; taking qualification tests to determine positions within a team, and it has been roughly about a year to get to this point. [This training] is an accomplishment of everything in the past, and I think at the end of this week the Soldiers will see the results of their hard work."

While this training has come to a close, and the reverberations of rounds impacting across Fort Stewart has faded away, this is not the end for the Raider Brigade Soldiers. Many more long days and complex fire missions will roll into play, ensuring the brigade is ready for anything the future may bring.