Stryker brigade preps for deployment in the desert
Published Thursday, July 10, 2008
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Stumble It!Alaska’s Arctic warriors are preparing for battle in the desert.
Most of the roughly 4,000 men and women that make up the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team are now at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin in Southern California prepping vehicles and equipment for several weeks of intensive training.
Located in the Mojave Desert, NTC is the site of temperatures that often exceed 115 degrees.
“It’s good preparation for Iraq when it comes right down to it,” said Maj. Chris Hyde, the public affairs officer for the 1-25th.
“I don’t think we’re going to have any Arctic weather when we get to Iraq.”
The 1-25th is scheduled to deploy to Iraq this fall for a 12-month mission. The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, now reflagged the 1-25th, was previously deployed to the country for an extended 16 month mission in 2005 and 2006.
The brigade is still in the preparation phase of its training, outfitting equipment with Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems.
At its core, MILES is basically a sophisticated game of laser tag, telling commanders what soldiers would be injured and what vehicles would be destroyed if the exercises were real.
Hyde said preparations for the exercises should be completed later today and then the six battalions that make up the brigade will begin cycling through seven different training scenarios during the course of a week.
After that, soldiers enter “the box” for a week-long live-fire scenario including random attacks from “insurgents” and interactions with Iraqi actors who pose as villagers in a full-fledged recreation of a Middle-Eastern town.
“It’s going very well so far,” Hyde said.
Community Discussion
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It sounds like they are having fun down there! It is going to be sad to see them go this fall. My heart goes out to all the soldiers and their families. We will miss you and we wish you a safe and speedy return!
I'm missing my hubby already. I guess it's just the fact that after he gets back we will have a month or so together, then he really will be leaving for a long 12 mos. Hurry Home!
So very Proud of all these young men - my son is one of them and I know that all this training will help them when they are back in the litter box. Stay Strong guys!
We love you guys and gals! Thank you for all you do.
We'll miss you and stay safe!!!
THANK-YOU for serving, with two from our house going with you, we want you to know how proud we are of all of you.You are serving your country at a time of war, not many would do that, be proud and come back home safe.We will keep you all in our prayer's, MOM/DAD, GRANDMA/GRANDPA PALMER
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