21st LRS helps Raider Brigade conduct Deployment Readiness Exercise

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jonathon Mecker
  • 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --  Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted a Deployment Readiness Exercise Feb. 23 to prepare for what they can expect should they be activated.

The Raider Brigade is part of the U.S. Army's Quick Reaction Force capable of activating at a moments' notice and be ready to deploy anywhere in the world within hours.

This exercise involved Soldiers from across the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the 4th Sustainment Brigade as well as Airmen from the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base.

"The static load training we received is critical to speed and mission success," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Martin, platoon sergeant, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. "Being able to conduct a full rehearsal of the events places into perspective the culmination of all the hard work and dedication of the company and its Soldiers."

With the help of Air Force personnel, Soldiers from the 1st SBCT were able to have their Strykers inspected while they were loaded for combat operations.

"It was an honor working with the 1st SBCT and seeing the capabilities of the Army and Air Force working together to move that many Strykers and Soldiers in unreal," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Rodgers.

After the vehicles were inspected drivers and vehicle commanders guided the vehicles onto the runway. The vehicles were now ready to be guided onto the C-17 Globemaster aircraft and Soldiers trained on the proper procedures to secure the vehicles inside.

The Soldiers of 1st SBCT were not the only ones who benefitted from the training.

Air Loaders from the U. S. Air Force's 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron were also able to gain valuable experience on how to properly inspect and secure different variants and types of vehicles.

"The DRE was a great chance for the squadron to partner with Fort Carson Soldiers and civilians to execute one of the 21st Space Wings ancillary missions which is to deliver Fort Carson combat power anywhere in the world using U.S. Air Force assets," said Lt. Col. Josh Marcus, commander, 21st LRS, "We look forward to providing this rapid deployment capability to 1st SBCT every time."

This training allows the 1st SBCT to extend combat power any time, to any place, under any conditions.

"The Soldiers participating in this Deployment Readiness Exercise are demonstrating a strategically important capability to respond to contingency operations world-wide," said Capt. Kevin Pelletier, assistant operations officer, 1st SBCT. "Furthermore, this exercise proves that Soldiers from the 1st SBCT are ready to fight almost immediately by rehearsing key partnerships with the Air Force and 82nd Airborne Division."

 

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