Ohio National Guard News

Ohio Army National Guard's 1-145th Armored Regiment
spends month training in “The Box”

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

An M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle moves across the Mojave Desert June 16, 2016, during simulated combat operations at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. The 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment spent the month of June at NTC as part of a training rotation including several National Guard units from across the United States. READ STORY

An M88 Hercules recovery vehicle tows an M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle from the battlefield during simulated combat operations.

A Soldier checks his feet and applies powder in between simulated combat operations.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment unload fresh produce from a logistical supply convoy.

A Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment scans the far ridge line for enemy combatants.

A Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment refuels a M1078 Light Mobility Utility Truck (LMTV) during maintenance operations.

Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment play a hand of cards during down time between simulated combat operations missions.

A Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment monitors radio communications June 17, 2016, during simulated combat operations.

A sniper team member with 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment scans for enemy forces during simulated combat operations.

A Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment tightens the track linkage on an M88 Hercules recovery vehicle.

Soldiers scan a deserted street for enemy combatants during a nighttime assault.

An M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle provides perimeter security during simulated combat operations.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment celebrate the news of the Cleveland Cavilers winning the NBA Finals June 19, 2016.

Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment prepare for a night assault.

NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, FORT IRWIN, Calif. (06/16/16) — The chatter of gunfire filled the night as the convoy moved into position on the outskirts of town. As teams of Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment cleared the surrounding buildings of insurgents, medics quickly set up a casualty evacuation point in the courtyard of the hospital. The dusty winds were cool, a welcome relief from the 100-plus degree day. It was a mission that had been conducted countless times across Afghanistan and Iraq during the 15 years of the War on Terrorism, but this particular operation wasn't taking place in some far off country.

This was annual training in the middle of the Mojave Desert. More than 800 Ohio National Guard Soldiers participated in a monthlong training rotation to “The Box” in Fort Irwin, California, home to the National Training Center, the Army's premier training facility. The National Training center, with more than 1,000 square miles of training area, is used by all branches of the U.S. military as well as other government agencies and foreign military units. “The Box” refers to military slang for a sandbox, a label informally given to desert environments.

The 1-145th participated as part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, comprising units from several National Guard states including Ohio and Minnesota. More than 6,000 Soldiers in total were part of the exercise.

“The training that the brigade received was among the hardest and most realistic that the U.S. Army offers,” said Col. Robert Intress, commander of the 1st Armored BCT, 34th ID.

Added 1st Lt. Kyle Scurlock, 1-145th battalion personnel officer: “It's testing the individual Soldier's ability to fight. Soldiers are happy to be out here doing what we've been training for.”

Soldiers were faced with a variety of missions and scenarios, from battalion-sized force-on-force battle engagements, to retaking cities overrun with hostile insurgents. All the while, they were dealing with unforgiving terrain and the elements, including 100-degree temperatures and 40-plus mph winds.

“They (the 1-145th) were instrumental in the Deliberate Defense, City Clearance and Deliberate Attack final mission,” Intress said. “They were given a very difficult mission. They accomplished this mission so well that the enemy commander committed many of his forces just to stop them.”

Operational tempo was extreme, with major operations occurring within short succession, providing very little time for rest. In the face of rugged conditions, most Soldiers remained resilient and upbeat.

“It's a good opportunity to come out here,” said Spc. David Traves, a line medic with Company A, 1-145th. “We get to apply the skills we've worked on back home and use them in a real-world scenario.”

Units were also faced with the logistical challenges involving keeping 800 Soldiers and their hundreds of vehicles supplied. Convoys were constantly needed to keep thousands of gallons of water and fuel moving to the combat units that needed them.

“We always knew that logistics was going to be a struggle,” Scurlock said. “If equipment breaks down, you have to find a way to get new equipment. Food, fuel and equipment is just as important as ammunition.”