Story and Photos By Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris 99th Regional Support Command Public Affairs
“The training objective was to move into tactical positions by helicopter,” explained 1st Sgt. David Gallman of HHC, 99th RSC. “Alpha Company was going to do a defend mission at Range 85, then we helicoptered Bravo Company in to do a force-on-force attack against Alpha Company.” Once the assault began, the blank rounds fired from M-16 rifles and M-9 pistols crackled like popcorn as the two sides put their past year’s training to the test. Branch said the Soldiers passed the test on effort and enthusiasm, but admitted that work still needed to be done to raise his troops’ proficiency level in some of the FSO METLs. “We have to do a better job of reinforcing the training,” Branch said. “Even though we have a good strategy that teaches everything, we have to make sure our Soldiers are sustaining what we teach them.” “There are two things that I want to get out of this event. I want to have a safe event where no one’s hurt or injured, and I want these Soldiers to have fun,” Branch explained. “It’s an opportunity to bring in all the Soldiers of the 99th RSC in
one place, under one guidon, and develop that esprit de corps.” Based on some of the Soldiers’ reactions, Branch felt he was able to meet the overall intent of the training. “It was good training, especially for the Soldiers who have not experienced this before,” said Sgt. 1st Class Cynthia Caballero, a finance NCO with the 99th RSC. “It kind of showed you where your weaknesses are and what your strengths are.” “Encountering the enemy was probably my favorite part of it, because that’s when all the training that you have developed over the years will come into play,” she added. “I thought the exercise was great, getting out there and Soldiering,” said Spc. Shawn Mills, 94th Army Band. The 99th Regional Support Command acts as a “virtual installation” that provides world-class Base Operations support to over 50,000 Army Reserve Soldiers, 400 units and 300 facilities for the entire Northeast Region from Maine to Virginia for the Army Reserve.
The 99th Regional Support Command Chaplain team practiced administering last rites to a mock casualty during Day 1 of “Operation Checkerboard” Aug. 10, 2011, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
“To get a chance to fly on a helicopter and land in a tactical area through an air insertion, that’s stuff you see on TV.” — Maj. Kevin Branch, commander of HHC, 99th RSC
FALL 2011
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