Editor’s note: This article ran in the Feb. 29, 2008, issue.
By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted “Gauntlet I” field training at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site Feb. 4-21, 2008.
Gauntlet I focused on combat training for 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, but also incorporated tactical and logistical training for 204th Brigade Support Battalion, Special Troops Battalion and the brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Troop.
“The purpose of our training at Piñon Canyon is to begin collective training focused primarily at the platoon, company and battalion levels,” said Maj. Christopher Engen, brigade executive officer. “Piñon Canyon provides us a number of advantages over the training area of Fort Carson.
“Because of its size, we can test our ability to exercise command and control over a large maneuver area,” said Engen. “We’ve got varied types of terrain further enhanced by three urban villages that have been built, due in part to the efforts of the 4th Engineers and Fort Carson Range Control.”
He said that the training areas on Fort Carson are always busy with other units training on post. Piñon Canyon offers an area the brigade can train on exclusively for a two-three week period, without having to compete for ranges or training time.
Approximately 1,100 2nd BCT Soldiers trained for Gauntlet I.
The Soldiers from 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, functioned as the opposing forces for Gauntlet I, laying mock improvised-explosive devices and engaging in attacks on other battalions.
“It’s been good training for us as the OPFOR,” said Pfc. Contavious Le Witt Miles, infantryman, B Company, 2nd CAB, 8th Inf. Reg. Soldiers on both sides used the Army’s Multiple Integrated Laser System (MILES) to track hits against each other. By using the MILES gear, evaluators can more accurately assess the units conducting training. Soldiers also got immediate feedback during combat, adding to the pressure and realism of the training.
Miles said role-playing as the enemy also helps him to be a better Soldier.
“It gives you a chance to be your own enemy,” said Miles. “I know what to do and what not to do, what to expect and what not to expect. You can learn from other people’s mistakes. So whatever they do wrong, I learn what not to do.”
He said that using Soldiers as enemies makes the training tougher, more realistic and more beneficial to the Soldiers running the courses.
“We’re Soldiers; we’re trained to fight. So if you’re fighting someone trained to fight, you can only get better,” said Miles.
The training has been pretty tough, agreed 2nd Lt. Andrew Cairns, fire support officer and intelligence officer, A Troop, 1-10th Cav. Regiment, whose unit has been busy fighting the OPFOR and avoiding their traps.
He said that his unit had come across many situations that were beyond what they planned for and therefore difficult to handle. That made the training more realistic and helped the unit become more proficient at problem-solving, dealing with changing situations and gain broader perspective for future planning.
“We’re role-playing as if we were in Iraq,” said Cairns. There were “Iraqis” brought in to play certain roles, interpreters to communicate with, insurgents to fight and even goats.
The scenarios required Soldiers to build relationships with the locals, discerning their needs and working together to improve the regions. Working with the Iraqis also helped the Soldiers understand more of their culture, which will help Soldiers build relationships with the locals during deployment.
“Personally speaking, this is a very good learning process for me,” said Cairns, who has not yet deployed. He said the training gave him greater confidence and knowledge to do his job more proficiently when deployed.
“They’ve really gone to great extents to create these realistic situations. I’ve seen a lot of these situations when I deployed the last time,” said Spc. Douglas Archambo, supply specialist, A Troop, 1-10 Cav. Archambo deployed with the brigade from November 2005-November 2006.
“It’s definitely building a lot of camaraderie and a lot of knowledge from top to bottom. We’re getting a lot of guys straight out of (Advanced Individual Training), guys who don’t know how we work yet,” said Archambo.
“They’re learning really quickly. We have a lot of (noncommissioned officers) taking leadership roles, teaching, instructing and helping. That’s been a big part of the learning for the younger guys.”
“I’m very impressed with our Soldiers’ professionalism and the effort they’ve put forth here,” said Cairns.
“Gauntlet II” will occur on Fort Carson in March 2008 and will continue training for the support battalions and brigade headquarters but will focus on combat training for 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd CAB, 8th Inf. Reg., and 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment.
Following that, the BCT will continue on to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., for training and evaluation prior to deployment slated later this year.
“A lot of the skills that we train Soldiers on are perishable and if you don’t train and retrain those skills, then the Soldiers aren’t proficient at their tasks,” said Command Sgt. Maj. David Pierce, acting brigade command sergeant major for Gauntlet I.
To help keep training up-to-date, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 2nd ID, function as additional observer controllers, sharing their feedback based on their recent experiences in Iraq.