Strykers

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. - Soldiers and Stryker vehicles from the 4th Infantry Division, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, Colo., conduct an exercise at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., April 13, 2016. Existing support agreements enable Fort Carson to respond to the Mountain in the event of a real world situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dennis Hoffman)

strykers

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. - Capt. Nicholas Romano, 721 Security Forces Squadron commander (left) and Army Sgt. Matthew Graham, 2nd Squadron 1st Cavalry Regiment cavalry scout, coordinate assets during an exercise between members of Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., and the 4th Infantry Division, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, Colo., April 13, 2016. Existing support agreements enable Fort Carson to respond to the Mountain in the event of a real world situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dennis Hoffman)

strykers

Fort Carson supports Cheyenne Mountain with Soldiers and Strykers

Published April 20, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Dennis Hoffman
21st SW/PA

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- Soldiers and Strykers of the 4th Infantry Division, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, react and respond to a training exercise inside Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station April 13.

Owned and operated by the 21st Space Wing, CMAFS is the home of the alternate command center for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command. There are 12 other military and federal government mission partners whose unique operations require the security and reliability that CMAFS provides. N-NC's primary command center is located nearby at Peterson Air Force Base

Existing support agreements have been established between Fort Carson and 21st SW assets since the development of CMAFS 50 years ago and the 1st Stryker Brigade stands ready with dedicated reinforcement should real world situations occur, said Boyd.

"The 4ID, 1SBCT is an expeditionary force capable of rapid deployment at any time, under any condition, to face any enemy at any location world-wide," said Maj. Kevin Boyd, 4ID, 1SBCT public affairs officer. "With over 4,000 trained soldiers, the 1SBCT is capable of rapid aid and world-wide deployment and can sustain itself for up to five days."

Although agreements have been in place for 50 years, this exercise was unique in that, this was the very first time a Stryker drove into CMAFS's tunnel and positioned itself outside the blast doors, said Boyd.

Strykers are eight-wheeled, road-legal, combat vehicles that are able to deploy immediately in on or off road conditions. These vehicles are capable of executing an array of missions and scenarios that meets the needs of CMAFS, said Boyd.

This training exercise tested the abilities of Fort Carson and CMAFS to effectively execute a joint mission, manage resources, assess manpower and ready equipment.

"This is exciting because we are a ground unit, so we are not normally involved in Air Defense missions," said Boyd. "This gives us a good chance to integrate what we can do with what they can do."

As CMAFS looks ahead to its next 50 years, Fort Carson and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team will stand ready if there should be a time when the alarms sound and the blast doors shut.