Realistic training helping to prepare Alabama National Guard Soldiers for Afghanistan

Release # 2011052501

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Photo by Spc. Prentis Grayson, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team public affairs

FORT IRWIN, CALIF. (05/25/2011)(readMedia)-- "Train as you fight" is a phrase often spoken, but it virtually comes to life here at the National Training Center where 600 Alabama National Guardsmen are currently preparing for a potential deployment to Afghanistan. The Soldiers are training with the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, with whom they are slated to deploy in 2012.

"I'm really pleased with what I'm seeing out here at NTC," said Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Megoloff, senior enlisted advisor for the 39th Brigade. "The realism is outstanding. You have the civilians on the battlefield. You have the ability to use your interpreters. You have the ability to use all the systems our Soldiers are using in Afghanistan. From that aspect you can't get any better when it comes to that."

Megoloff arrived at Fort Irwin with 2,000 of his Soldiers on May 9, 2011, for the three-week training rotation. In addition to the Arkansas Soldiers and the 600 Alabama Troops from the 167th, an additional 200 Alabama Guardsmen joined in on the training as well – the 1103rd Combat Service and Support Battalion.

In total, more than 3,500 troops from various states are participating in the rotation under command and control of the 39th Brigade. With such a large number of troops, the training extends well past the basic Soldier's war-fighting skills.

"All of our systems are being exercised here," said Megoloff. "Logistically, we're having to work the fuel; we're having to work the (food, water, and rations); all the classes of supply, all the maintenance, all the different skill sets that our Soldiers have are being exercised 24/7, so that aspect is great."

Aside from the training benefit of managing the logistical needs of 3,500 troops, the level of training for combat is top notch at NTC. Located in the Mohave Desert, the weather and terrain offer a similar environment to Afghanistan, while massive mock villages and dozens of actors role-playing Afghan civilians round out the look and feel of the region.

While blockbuster-quality special effects bring the war to life in the mock villages, the center's employment of wounded U.S. veterans helps to simulate the worst case scenarios on the battlefields. The veterans – several missing limbs as a result of actual combat - heighten the stress level of the Soldiers in order to prepare them for the potential of such life or death situations.

"The training has been difficult," said Col. Kirk Van Pelt, commander of the 39th Brigade. "It is stressing the Soldiers and the staff, but you train hard in peacetime to save lives in combat."

Megoloff said the training is only a first step which offers lessons for our Soldiers to improve upon during future training opportunities.

"One of the great things about this training is we're still about a year out [from deployment] and we're getting some very good lessons learned," said Megoloff. "From the command post all the way down to team and individual training, the lessons learned that we're going to get here will help us prepare ourselves for Afghanistan."

The Soldiers are anticipated to complete the training at NTC and return to their respective states just prior to Memorial Day.

Courtesy of 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Photo Cutlines

051611-A-9869G-002 – Two infantrymen of the Alabama National Guard's 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry duck for cover after a simulated improvised explosives attack during the mass casualty training lane at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., May 16, 2011. Along with the 167th, Alabama's 1103th Combat Service Support Battalion also participated in the training with the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during the NTC rotation. In total, the Alabama National Guard had approximately 800 Soldiers participate in the training.

051611-A-9869G-006 – Soldiers the Alabama National Guard's 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry provide security as the rest of their squad rescue a casualty during the Mass Casualty training lane at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., May 16,2011. Along with the 167th, Alabama's 1103th Combat Service Support Battalion also participated in the training with the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during the NTC rotation. In total, the Alabama National Guard had approximately 800 Soldiers participate in the training.

110519-A-9869G-003 – Maj. Gen. Perry Smith, the adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard, visited his Soldiers participating in the training at Fort Irwin, May 19, 2011. After receiving a quick briefing about the training, he took a quick tour for a first-hand look and opportunity to visit with the troops on the ground. The visit gave the general an insight into what the soldiers are experiencing at NTC.