1st Brigade Training in Kuwait 2008

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Spc. Deady George, an infantryman assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, loads his final round while zeroing his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon system,
March 16, at a range at the Udairi Range Complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Soldiers of the Raider Brigade spent several days
in Kuwait's Udairi Desert training on their tactics, techniques and procedures while performing final checks
and services on their weapons systems and equipment before deploying for Iraq in support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pitched their tents at Camp Buehring,
Kuwait, during the month of March, in preparation for their 15-month rotation with Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Raider Brigade Soldiers will use this short time in Kuwait’s Udairi Desert to hone their combat skills in preparation for the missions
that will be executed daily for the units that are deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Lt. Col. Paul Hossenlopp,
deputy commander, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“The training here in Kuwait gives the Soldiers a chance to get acclimated to the theater and climate change,” Hossenlopp said.
“Also, it allows Soldiers to be successful at the personal and crew-levels before they enter combat operations.”

Hossenlopp said that he believes the valuable training is a critical piece in ensuring the overall combat readiness for the Raider Brigade,
and will better prepare the Soldiers to fight as a unit in Baghdad.

The latest round of training for the Soldiers incorporated the most recent techniques, tactics and procedures used on today’s battlefield
and served as refresher for some of the veteran Soldiers.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Sgt. Michael Hedges, an infantrymen assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment,
performs a retina scan, March 15, using the Biometrics Automated Toolset on Spc. David Griffin,
a combat engineer assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment. Soldiers of the Raider Brigade Combat Team
trained on the personnel identification system to prepare for their mission to support Multi-National Division - Baghdad
during the brigade's third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“We have had some new training this time,” said Spc. Jario Calidonio, a scout assigned to the Scout Platoon,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT.
“The (Improvised Explosive Device) training was good; it was a refresher for my mind.”

Calidonio, who hails from Los Angeles, said that the Soldiers of his Scout Platoon arrived in Kuwait combat-ready
and look forward to the challenges of the future operations.

The training in Kuwait varied from hip-pocket training
on the rules of engagement and laws of land warfare
and instruction on the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer
to three-day training events for the Army’s newest combat vehicle,
the Mine Resistant and Ambush Protected vehicle.

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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Sgt. Troy Squire, a combat medic
assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron,
10th Cavalry Regiment, helps a comrade exit a High Mobility Multi-Wheeled
Vehicle during Humvee Egress Assistance Training March 18,
at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Raider Brigade Soldiers
completed many various training requirements
in the two-week period before beginning their 15 month deployment
in the Rashid district of Baghdad.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge,
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)

Among the new training the Soldiers attended during their first two weeks in camp
was a medical treatment-based class devoted to teaching Soldiers
how to stabilize wounds until a higher echelon of medical treatment is available,
said Mike Haight, a training facilitator and instructor
at Camp Buehring’s Medical Support Training Center.

“The training has evolved into more of a combat-casualty care
and combat life saver course for Soldiers,” Haight said.

This four-hour class has already paid dividends on the battlefield
since its start in May 2006, explained the retired Special Forces medic
with more than 15 years of service.

“Soldiers have said that the material taught in the class
is what’s working on the ground,” said Haight, a native of Seattle.

Since its inception, the class has doubled in size and is on the verge
of doubling its numbers again, said Haight.
The number of Soldiers trained at the class
since its last expansion has multiplied four-fold.

Raider Brigade Soldiers attending the class said it was educational,
but lacked the usual classroom characteristic: boredom.

“The advanced combat life saver course was very informative,”
said Pfc. Jensen Buller, a medic from Oshkosh, Wis.,
assigned to the personnel security detachment,
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Special Troops Battalion.

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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Pfc. Jason Baker,
a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Special Troops Battalion,
inserts a nasopharyngeal airway into the tracheal tube
of a training mannequin
during combat trauma casualty care training,
March 17, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

The 1st BCT has added all the training of Kuwait to its repertoire, and with the rigors of combat operations inside Baghdad
on the horizon, Raider Brigade Soldiers will be given the opportunity to adapt to a similarly harsh environment,
said Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smiley, operations sergeant major, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“In Kuwait, the training builds the Soldiers’ confidence on their weapons and hones other necessary combat skills,” Smiley said.

Upon arriving in Baghdad, the 1st BCT Soldiers can expect to be busy learning their new area of operation from the outgoing unit,
so it is important that the Raider Soldiers make the best of the training environment in Kuwait, said Smiley.

“We want to make Iraq a safer place for its citizens and security forces,” Smiley said.
“Also to make sure the unit replacing us is better situated in regards to training and the environment on the ground.”

With their boots on the ground, the Soldiers continue their reception into the Central Command Theater with orientation briefs
and several periods of classroom training while allowing their bodies to acclimatize before conducting rifle and gunnery ranges.

“The Soldiers have met the standards,” said Smiley, who hails from Lake Village, Ark.
“Overall, Soldiers are achieving all the training goals, and in fact, are ahead of schedule.”

Soldiers of the Raider Brigade continue to conduct pre-combat checks and inspections
to ensure that they are ready to assume their upcoming mission in Baghdad’s Rashid district.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – M2 Bradley crews of the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment
line up their infantry fighting vehicles, March 16, during a zero range at the Udairi Range Complex,
Camp Buehring, Kuwait, where crewmembers performed final services to their weapon systems and equipment
to ensure that the Raider Brigade remains combat-ready for its movement into Iraq.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Armor Crewmembers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment fire the main guns
of their M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, March 16, during a tank screening at one of the ranges of the Udairi Range Complex,
Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – A Soldier of the 1st Brigade Combat Team triangulates his shot group
while zeroing his weapon at a range at the Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring, Kuwait March 11.
Raider Brigade Soldiers trained in many areas in Kuwait before moving across the berm into Iraq for a 15-month deployment
to support Multi-National Division – Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Soldiers from the 1st Special Troops Battalion fire their individual weapon systems
during a familiarization range at the Udairi Range Complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 11,
before the unit moves north to Iraq to support Multi-National Division – Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.