Soldiers Use Ambiguous Scenarios and Critical Thinking at PTA

By Sgt. Bryanna Poulin

25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Eric Campbell, with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, inspects a weapon during a exercise held May 2, at Pohakuloa Training Area. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th CAB Public Affairs Office

Being strategically proficient in combat, involves strenuous training in well-rounded environments. To sustain and improve on skills, Soldiers must train as they fight even if they are not on the battlefield.

For Soldiers with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, their preparation for combat begins at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) focusing on ambiguous scenarios using critical thinking during their convoy live fire and weapon ranges.

"PTA allows a collective training environment, which we are not afforded in Oahu," Lt. Col. Erskine Ramsey Bentley, 209th ASB commander said.

Sgt. 1st Class Terry Wickham, with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, observes Sgt. Joshua Sneed, with Headquarters Headquarters Company, 25th CAB, during the 209th ASB range, May 2. The range was conducted during the 25th CAB's training at Pohakuloa Training Area. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office

Soldiers must know more than their basic Military Occupation Skill (MOS) to learn tactical proficiency. What's more, having the aptitude to train and execute the mission are primary facets Soldiers must become skilled at.

"Being tactical goes further than a Soldiers job," Bentley stated. "They must react to enemy situations, pre-combat inspections (PCI) and junior NCO's (Non-commissioned Officers) taking charge and responsibility of their Soldiers."

Moreover, to train 209th ASB Soldiers, leaders designed uncertain scenarios allowing Soldiers to hone a wealth of battlefield skills while simultaneously being challenged.

Staff Sgt. Eric Pfeiffer, with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, and Lt. Col. Erskine Ramsey Bentley, commander for 209th ASB, watch a convoy of vehicles during a live-fire range at Pohakuloa Training Area, May 7. The training teaches Soldiers combat skills and firing a weapon from a moving convoy. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th CAB Public Affairs

"Having vague circumstances, allows numerous branches for training and we plan off each branch," Bentley went on further explaining. "For example, if an IED (improvised explosive device) is detonated, Soldiers have the chance for medical training, CLS (Combat Lifesaver), and setting up the extraction of an LZ (Landing Zone).

Even though Soldiers realize the training is combat scenarios, each situation is different. What's more, Soldiers critical thinking comes to play when they are forced to react to the unknown.

Soldiers with 209th Aviation Support Battalion and 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, count weapon rounds during a range held at Pohakuloa Training Area, May 2. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th CAB Public Affairs Office

Nevertheless, as with all 25th CAB training; leaders spent many months prior to ensure Soldiers would get first-class instruction.

"We planned for the last for months," Bentley said. "Training started at the beginning with basic skills to develop the complexity of the overall tasks."

To begin the largest training event since redeployment, Soldiers were taught weapons marksmanship - the building block of soldiering skills.

"The first three days of training were focused on the crew-serve weapons range," Bentley explained. "Soldiers were taught stationary marksmanship and firing from different types of vehicles."

"Marksmanship is fundamental to everything else we do," Lt. Col Erskine Ramsey Bentley, commander for 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade said. "We always work as a team - especially in aviation because we support ground forces down range." The 209th ASB trained units with 25th CAB on ranges and convoy exercises at Pohakuloa Training Area. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th CAB Public Affairs Office

Bentley elaborated further by emphasizing the importance of marksmanship is it teaches Soldiers confidence in their weapons, individual equipment and capabilities.

"Marksmanship is fundamental to everything else we do," he noted. "We always work as a team - especially in aviation because we support ground forces down range."

To gear up for convoy live fire, Soldiers developed basic drivers training, convoy procedures and controlling elements.

A convoy of vehicles with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, fires weapons during a convoy live-fire rage held at Pohakuloa Training Area, May 7. Photo by Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 25th CAB Public Affairs

"After Soldiers master basic firing skills, they apply that knowledge, categorizing it further by firing from a moving vehicle," he added. "By utilizing multiple vehicles, combining fire distribution, and the use of weapons - we had a convoy live-fire range."

Finally, team collaboration played an integral part for 25th CAB Soldiers gearing up for the overall training at PTA. Whether a driver, vehicle commander or gunner, crews were put together in a convoy to work jointly in each vehicle.

It's important for crews and teams to work together since they must depend on their fellow Soldiers, Bentley concluded. By relying on one another, it plays a part in the bigger picture of aviation's overall combat readiness.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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