Multi-State National Guard Combat Training Exercise Annual Training 2003
Story & Photos by MAJ Rick Jimenez - Posted Jun, 2003
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The 81st Infantry Brigade and the Washington National Guard are making history. From June 14-28 approximately 5,000 soldiers and airmen will train at Camp Roberts, preparing the Washington National Guards 81st Brigade for intensive Army scrutiny in 2004.
Army and Air National Guard units from California and nine other states are testing the Washington National Guards 81st Brigades mettle as it prepares for its rotation through the infamous National Training Center (NTC) at Ft. Irwin, California in 2004.
In an innovative move, Washington National Guard leadership has set out on a bold step toward their NTC rotation. This three-week rotation represents the highest point in the training experience of armored combat units in the United States Army. This year's measured step is to master the deployment and re-deployment skills that the units will exercise in their move from Washington to California.
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From its bases around Ft Lewis and the Yakima Training Center in Washington, 150 rail cars and 350 commercial trucks brought the 81st Brigade's equipment to Camp Roberts where they are joined by National Guard units from nine other states to train together as Task Force Raven. This rehearsal annual training involves the movement of over a thousand pieces of military equipment and marks the largest single rail movement in and out of Camp Roberts for one exercise in two decades.
This annual training exercise includes a broad spectrum of tasks that the Brigade must perform when called to war, including mock battles with simulated laser gear indicating when personnel or equipment are hit. The 81st and its OPFOR will fight force-on-force, wearing Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES), to replicate the NTC training. The 81st is one of 15 Enhanced Brigadesor E Brigadesin the nation. An enhanced brigade is a National Guard Brigade that is integrated into a regular Army Division for training and war. The Enhanced Brigades are usually equipped and manned at levels above a normal National Guard unit. The Brigades usually have the most modern technology available in their inventory. Besides the battle, there will be a tactical road march from Camp Roberts to Fort Hunter Liggett wherein over 400 heavy and light vehicles along with thousands of soldiers will make the trek up the tank trail that connects the two installations. The 81st will train on several other tasks, including soldier readiness processing, rail and commercial truck loading and unloading operations, establishing rear unit bivouac areas, artillery and lanes training, and troop support operations.
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