Iron Strike Comes to a Close

3rd Brigade just finished a field exercise training and testing our companies and platoons on live fire, convoy operations, civil affairs assessments, and population engagements. We also had several local media outlets visit our training. Here are the links:

http://www.krdotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11193391

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/61187687.html

http://gazettephoto.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=25674087&event=840781&CategoryID=47303

Message from the Commander, 3rd BCT, 4ID

Iron Brigade families,
I want to take this time to let you know what is going on in the brigade and what to expect through the end of this year as we prepare to deploy again to Iraq in the Spring of 2010. I am sending out this message because I believe it is important to keep the families informed about what is happening and what the future holds for the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Our next mission to Iraq will be much different than previous deployments as we now have shifted our efforts to a more advisory role. Still we must train in all aspects, including combat operations.

This brigade has been in a reset period after returning from combat operations in February 2009 to reconstitute our ranks and equipment. We have fielded new equipment and have welcomed a number of new people to our team. The brigade has now transitioned to a new phase, called an Intensive Training Cycle (ITC), which is required to train our Soldiers in the skill sets required for the unit’s advisory role in Iraq.

Battalions have already started conducting company and platoon-level field training and that training will continue. The first consolidated BCT training event for this intensive training cycle will be a field training exercise (FTX) held from September 14th to the 26th here at Fort Carson called Iron Strike. This FTX will be the first training opportunity as a brigade to certify company and platoon-level units on missions that will simulate what we will do when deployed. Following Iron Strike is a rotation at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California starting at the beginning of November which will further test our ability to conduct the types of operations we will carry out in Iraq. I expect that the entire brigade will be home by Thanksgiving. Following NTC, there will be a block leave period from December 19th to January 3rd 2010. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones.

The next few months will be important for all Iron Brigade Soldiers as we focus on building a cohesive force that will accomplish all assigned missions during the deployment. We believe that keeping the families informed is equally important. As new events come to light or changes to the schedule take place, it is our goal to keep families informed in the quickest possible manner. Some of the ways we plan on getting the message out are through our Facebook page (look for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division), our blog at http://ironbct.blogspot.com, and though the vFRG website. I encourage all families to utilize these sites to not only receive information but to also provide feedback. Thank you all for your support.

Sincerely,

COL James Rainey
3BCT Commander

Mental and Behavioral Health Assistance Cards

3d Brigade has produced a series of cards to assist Soldiers, Leaders, and Families as they adjust during redeployment and prepare for the BCTs deployment next year. These cards identify potential problems, what those risks mean, and who to call if they identify a problem. The Leader Card allows leaders to identify risks, assess those risks cumulatively, then take
appropriate action within their units chain of command or outside agencies. The Family Card allows spouses and parents to see potential warning signs of problems with their loved ones and gives them a source to call to request information or seek help.

Iron 6 Net Call - If you were the Commander . . .

The Iron 6 Net Call will be a regular event on the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's blog. We intend to use this blog as a forum to communicate with the families, Soldiers, and friends of the Iron Brigade, and encourage everyone to openly respond to the stories and articles posted here.

Every member of the Iron Brigade team is important and we value honest and professional opinions and feedback.

If you were the Brigade Commander or Command Sergeant Major for a day, what is the one thing you would sustain, change, improve, or implement?

We look forward to your comments.

Pacesetters Train in Virtual Environment

Story and photos by 2LT Justin Burney, Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON, Colorado -- Field Artillery Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team are gaining an edge on victory using high tech computer enhanced simulators to prepare for their next mission in Iraq.

Fort Carson’s Reconstructable Vehicle Simulator, or RVS trainer, is the latest in advanced virtual technology currently available to train the Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 3-29th Field Artillery for combat, many for the first time.

“I have never had this experience before but I liked the feeling of looking for things that were out of the ordinary,” said Pvt. Zachary Davidson, Paladin crew gunner.

The RVS trainer uses screens and computer simulation that gives individual trainees 360 degree scanning capabilities in a variety of challenging combat environments. Inside the training room is a combat vehicle surrounded by large projector screens which depict the different scenarios. Sensors on the vehicle track fuel supply, tire pressure and malfunctions that are encountered on a typical mission while weapon systems connected to the sensors track how much ammunition is used and if they become damaged.

“The trainer had all of the effects of a real combat environment without the threat of death or serious bodily harm,” said 1st Lt. David Celski, Fire Support Officer

Programmers and designers for the system spent two and half years developing the scenarios in order to make them as real to the Soldiers as possible. Designers used current environments that Soldiers are seeing in combat.
The types of scenarios include situations like improvised explosive devices, snipers, indirect fire, direct fire and civilians on the battlefield.

PV2 Richard Hooper, Paladin operator, said the simulator was “Fun! It’s exactly like a video game but more like training. I really didn’t expect it to be that realistic.”

For many of these troops this was their first time using computer technology to train for combat. The training could be repeated if the Soldiers failed to react to the situation properly so multiple missions could be run in order to ensure they know how to react properly.

PV2 Andres Martinez, Paladin crew gunner, said, “I liked it. The first mission was kind of sloppy but it got better and people caught on to it and took it more serious.”

The RVS training simulator gave leaders and their crews the opportunity to gain valuable experience from lessons learned in combat.

This training is part of the preparation the 3rd Brigade Combat Team is conducting before it’s scheduled deployment to Iraq sometime in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010.

3rd Brigade Back-to-School Physicals Drive

3rd BCT Medical Team is offering Back to School physicals on Friday, August 7th, from 11:00 am to 5:00pm at the Warrior Clinic (Building 2353 on the Corner of McGrath Ave and Titus Blvd) for all brigade families. The Brigade Suregon, Physican Assistants, Registered Nurse, and medics will provide medical screening and validate school and sports physical forms. Please bring a copy of your child's shot records and the school / sports phyiscal form.

64th BSB conducts combatives training

By 1LT Withey, Company C, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th ID

C Co Grave Robbers took training on their Warrior tasks head on in the past weeks. Each Platoon spearheaded their training separately during PT and during duty hours as well. As a company they focused on combatives and the HEAT trainer, which simulates vehicle roll-over.
Evac Platoon Sergeant, SSG Matz, along with Squad Leader, SSG Garcia, lead the platoon and company leaders in basic combatives training. The Platoon focused on non-conventional take-downs and control moves as well as level I combatives techniques. Pictured to the left 1SG Wojciechowski and SSG Scott practice different moves, trying to achieve a dominant body position.

During the platoon’s training, they not only covered techniques taught in the level I certification class, but also went into the importance of being physically fit and flexible. SSG Garcia later demonstrated how the Soldier’s could work on their core muscles by doing different exercises such as the “witch.” The Soldiers seemed to enjoy the change of pace during PT and many like the new exercises so much that they carried them into everyday PT cycles. Evac Platoon hopes to continue training on combatives as well as get more Soldiers certified to instruct. Platoon Leader, 2LT Sevy, mentioned that she believes the combatives training raises esprit-de-corps as well as contributes to team building and moral in the platoon.

(In the top photo SSG Matz, and SSG Garcia demonstrate the “guard,” one of the 4 main body positions in combatives.)

During the last weeks, C Co also participated in the HEAT training offered on post, which simulates a vehicle roll-over. Because vehicular roll-over is one of the leading causes of injury while deployed. Company Commander CPT Story and 1SG Wojciechowski decided that training on the equipment while still in the rear was imperative. This realistic training allows Soldiers to experience what it is like to go through a vehicle roll-over without the severe risks associated with a true vehicle accident. Not only did they get the experience, but they also learned what the correct procedures were during and after a vehicle roll-over as well.

During the training, Soldiers that have been deployed were able to share their knowledge and experience with the newer Soldiers so that they could learn the correct Tactics, Techniques and Procedures when working in vehicles in a deployed environment. Pictured above, SSG Marmol, Evac Platoon, and SSG Duviella, Head Quarters Platoon, operate the HEAT trainer as other company Soldiers exercise their new found knowledge inside the vehicle mock-up. The skills that the C Co Soldiers learned here at the HEAT trainer will be carried with them and applied not only in a deployed environment but everyday while operating tactical vehicles on the roads and at FTXs.

By training on individual tasks with combatives and collective tasks with the HEAT trainer, C Co hopes to become both tactically and technically proficient in all of their Warrior tasks and drills while in Garrison before they are put to the test down range. They believe like the German General, that, “Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, brains save both,” –Erwin Rommel.

Tankers Fight Virtual Enemy on Close Combat Tactical Trainer

By 1LT Darin J. Shearer, 1-8 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division


Tankers Fight Virtual Enemy on Close Combat Tactical Trainer


Tank crews from Company C, 1-8 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division spent Wednesday, the 22nd of July fighting a virtual enemy at the Fort Carson Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) in preparation for their upcoming gunnery exercise and future deployment to Iraq. “This training will enable our crews to shoot, move, and communicate when they start gunnery,” said Company Commander Capt. Gregory E. Sandifer, from York, S. Carolina.

Senior Training Facilitator and retired Infantry First Sergeant Dennis Vesser explained the capabilities of the facility: “The CCTT facility houses …tanks… Bradley Fighting Vehicles… BFISTs, and Reconfigurable Vehicle Systems. The trainers have the same sights and armament as the real vehicle. The Soldiers practice crew coordination and range flow while saving the Army money. Basically, if we have an [Operations Order] and an overlay, we can set up the scenario to meet a commander’s training objectives based on his needs.”

After reviewing the previous iteration of training on a large ten by twelve foot screen in the After Action Review (AAR) room, crew members re-entered the bulky yellow containers that house the mock tanks inside the vast modern warehouse-like building and donned their Combat Vehicle Crewman headsets. SSgt. Donald Mertz from Shelby Township, Mich. called instructions to the tank commanders over a radio, and the training facilitator began the computerized simulated exercise. Tank commander, driver, gunner, and loader worked together to maneuver, identify enemy targets, and blast them to virtual oblivion with the proper ordinance.

“This simulated exercise will allow us to be proficient at Table 8 before gunnery,” said Company C executive officer, Capt. William Denn, from Albany, New York. “All crews will have multiple opportunities to train day and night exercises. This facility allows us to train for full spectrum operations. We can even drive through the streets of Baghdad to learn to deal with civilian traffic, IEDs, and snipers.”

After completing the iteration, crew members reported back to the AAR room in an upbeat mood: discussing the action, laughing, and making excuses for missed shots. The training facilitator replayed the video recording of the action on the large screen while SSgt. Mertz coached the crews. “Make sure you have the correct round indexed, and use the right reticule. One of your shots went way too far down range,” he told one crew.

“And don’t drive off the range road,” added Capt. Denn. “At gunnery you will be disqualified if you do that.”

“But Sir, we’re in a tank,” the offending driver retorted to the laughter of his buddies.

Capt. Denn quipped back: “I know, but being in a tank won’t save you from the [Officer in Charge] kicking you off the range.”

3-29 FA conducts machine gun ranges

By: 2nd Lt. Pete Beamer Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Fort Carson, Colo. - The field artillery is the place to find guns. But small arms are oftentimes overlooked in the minds of many in comparison to their large 120mm or 155mm grand daddies.
However, crews served weapons are still an integral part of artillery batteries and proficiency on these systems is an essential part of conducting operations in theater.

After weeks of pre-marksmanship instruction (PMI), the Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division descended upon range fifteen, which would be a weeklong proving ground for their gunnery skills.

The week kicked off with the M249 range, organized and led by Alpha Battery, on July 14th. The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, has been in service since the late 1970s, and been used in every American conflict since the Gulf War. This gas operated light machine gun uses belt fed 5.56 mm ammunition to provide a heavy volume of fire to small units.

In the field artillery, these weapons are utilized for the protection of firing positions while the howitzers are conducting fire missions in support of other units. However, in the current conflict, these weapons are being used more and more by artillerymen to supplement rifle fire as they conduct the role of infantrymen. Whether being used in the offense or defense, the M249 is still a devastating and awe inspiring weapon.

For many of the firers at range fifteen, it was the first time they had ever fired the M249, or at least the first since their brief introduction to the weapon in basic training. Nevertheless, the new 3-29 FA gunners quickly assimilated what they had learned in PMI into a practical working knowledge of the weapon, and all thirty-eight firers qualified before noon.

Of those who qualified, ten shot expert, the highest of three qualification echelons. The top shooter in Headquarters Battery, Sgt. Ricardo Cruz from Denver, Co., had nothing but glowing remarks to say about the weapon.

“This was the first time I ever shot the SAW, but I can’t wait to do it again!” Cruz said.

The range itself ran smoothly under the direction of 1st Lt. David Celski and range safety officer 2nd Lt. Justin Burney. The only interruption to operations was a small fire that was quickly extinguished by quick thinking NCOs.

With the fire quelled, the cacophony of gunfire once again resumed in the low-lying Colorado hills.

The M240B range began in the cool morning hours of July 15th, again at range fifteen. Under the direction of 2nd Lt. Aaron Raymar, and range safety officer SSgt. Manuel Chacaliaza, the range was a great success and in the words of 2nd Lt. Raymar, “a lot of fun.”

The M240B is a larger version of the M249 and fires 7.62mm ammunition. In the field artillery, it is used mainly as a mounted weapon on vehicles to replace the heavy, aged M60 of the Vietnam era.

The M240B proved to be a deadly and vivacious weapon in the hands of its 3-29 FA handlers. Fired in two man crews made up of a gunner and assistant gunner, the weapon lived up to its reputation of having better stopping power than its lighter counterpart, the M249. Despite the heat, the only complaint heard off the firing line at range fifteen was not having more ammunition to shoot.

Of the 23 firers, all qualified, a testament to the in-depth training the Soldiers received in the weeks prior.

With their weapons zeroed and their qualifications complete, the Pacesetters continued to hone their skills with their automatic weapons over the course of the week. Further training included firing from mounted positions atop their vehicles, shooting “pop-up” targets, and the use of the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. In all, it was a useful training experience for the 3-29 FA Pacesetters, as well as a good excuse to exercise the violent firepower that artillerymen are known for.