|
1. Commander’s Comments:
1FURY focused on three priorities last week: 1)
completion of Operational Readiness Survey (ORS); 2) preparation for Deployment
Readiness Cage changeover; and 3) execution of PANTHER STORM 2. Our companies
completed ORS and immediately began remediating corrections for re-inspection on
17 December. Companies also continued preparing vehicles for MASA ORS
inspections next week. Simultaneously, HHC and Delta companies rigged 9x
platforms for heavy drops in support of DRC changeover on 18 December.
Separately, the Battalion participated in PANTHER STORM 2, exiting 200x
personnel over Holland Drop Zone. The Battalion jumped, assembled on OBJ
PATRIOTS (Holland DZ), and established a heavy/light PZ to support Alpha
Company’s air assault to OBJ STEELERS (Camp MacKall Training Area).
Additionally, HHC and Delta Company conducted sling load operations from PZ HAWK
(Holland DZ). 1FURY will continue to prioritize ORS re-inspections going
forward. Finally, the Battalion will sign out on leave next Friday for a two
week consolidated period prior to assuming IRB-1 on 07 December.
2. Brief summary of activities over the last two
weeks by LOE.
·
Unbeatable LGOPs: POTW
·
SGT Dylon Bunch has served six years in
the Army and currently serves as the Weapons Squad leader in 2nd
Platoon, Baker Company, 1-508th PIR. SGT Bunch served as the acting Platoon
Sergeant for 2nd PLT while his Platoon Sergeant was attending
Advanced Airborne School. He was instrumental in Baker Company’s success during
Fury Fight II and performed exceptionally during the Platoon Live Fire Exercise.
He constantly finds opportunities to develop young leaders and Paratroopers in 2nd
PLT. His dedication and devotion to the Paratroopers around him reflects
positively on his commitment to Baker Company and 1-508th Parachute
Infantry Regiment.
o
Training at the individual and collective level: At the individual
level, Paratroopers conducted maintenance focused training for weapon systems
and vehicles in accordance with ORS tasks. Paratroopers and Jumpmasters
participating in Panther Storm conducted Airborne Proficiency tasks for their
progressions. At the collective level, HHC, A, B, and D Co conducted air assault
training at night along with rigging and sling loading 4x platforms (3x HMMWVs,
1x 120MM MTR Trailer).
·
Deploy, Fight, and Win Anywhere in 18 Hours.
o
In preparation for IRB-1 assumption on 07 December, 1FURY completed DRC rigging
at HDRS for 9 platforms, including 7x HMMWVs and 2x trailers. Completion of this
task sets conditions for successful changeover next week.
o
1FURY continued execution of ORS to assess our readiness to assume
IRB-1 on 07 December. Major focus areas include correcting deficiencies in SRP
Packets for re-inspection on 17 November and preparing vehicles for readiness
inspections at the MASA on 18 November.
o
1FURY continued to work on reducing excess through identification
and turn in of excess equipment. 1FURY turned in over 1,600 pieces of excess
equipment to the Fort Bragg Contingency Operations Warehouse (COW); requiring 1x
18-Wheeler and 2x CROPS. As 1FURY identifies additional excess, we will execute
subsequent turn-ins.
(1F Motorpool BEFORE)
(1F Motorpool AFTER)
 
o
Training: Establishing and running the heavy/light PZ for Panther
Storm was an important step for building 1FURY’s operational capabilities prior
to JRTC. First, the process of staff planning with TF 2-82 AVN was essential for
setting conditions to be successful during execution. The Alpha Company
Commander also had to balance TLPs with air assault mission prep as well – an
important yet difficult task. Next, establishing the PZ and controlling it at
night, on a DZ, built our confidence by validating our competency at PZ
operations. Additionally, rigging the sling loads and hooking up at night
reinforced the training conducted during IRON WEEK. Finally, the composition of
the sling loads, consisting of D co Gun Trucks and a 120MM Mortar Trailer,
served as a proof of concept for how we intend to fight our D Co “cavalry” teams
at JRTC, using aviation lift to rapidly reposition these hunter/killer teams
across the battlefield. In total, 1FURY air assaulted 136 pax across one lift of
9 x UHs and 2 lifts of 3 x CHs (COVID manning) and slung four platforms.
·
Transform the Division. 1FURY tested the Division’s Airborne
Carry-On/Carry-Off (COCO) C2 system during the air assault in Panther Storm. FM
communications with BCT and A/1-508TH PIR were marginally successful;
however, TSM communication with A/1-508TH PIR on the ground worked
reliably. JBCP on board also worked very well. The CoCo was unable to pull a
real time ASR feed from the attack aviation’s raven. It is unknown if this issue
resided with the CoCo or the raven’s MUM-T feed with the AH. Overall, the
opportunity to test the CoCo was a net positive and a great step forward for
enhancing C2 capabilities.
·
Force Modernization: Battalion successfully used HF communication
from Snyder LZ (Camp MacKall area) to our Battalion TOC on Holland DZ. We also
received a positive comms check with BCT from our TOC on Holland. Although we
were unable to maintain the HF link for the duration of the mission, last week’s
success validates our HF antennae test configurations. Separately, the Battalion
received 6 new ITAS launch tubes with software updates from the manufacturer.
·
Live the Legacy: B/1-508TH PIR hosted FURY FRIGHT NIGHT
on 29 October for the Battalion’s families. This FRG trunk-or-treat allowed
families to celebrate the holiday while safeguarding against the spread of the
COVID-19 virus.
·
The Battalion conducted an awards ceremony last Friday to
highlight the hardwork of our Paratroopers duing Panther Storm II and ORS and to
reinforce the value and attributes we wish the instill across the formation. We
also conducted All American Day this past Monday.
3. Way Ahead: Describe activities/training events
over the next two weeks aligned against the Division’s 4 Lines of Effort.
·
Unbeatable LGOPs. Next week, Battalion will participate in Recon’s
Commo Olympics. Additionally, C Co will host a Breakfast LPD for Squad Leaders
and above on “Maintaining Combat Fitness.”
·
Deploy, Fight, and Win Anywhere in 18 Hours. Companies will
close-out ORS inspections next week and finalize preparations to assume IRB-1
immediately following Block Leave on 07 DEC. Also following block leave, our D
co will conduct Table XII platoon gunnery the week of 7-11 December on Range 63.
·
Transform the Division. 1FURY is developing our capacity to
sustain a walking blood bank. First, our Battalion PA facilitated an autologous
transfusion with one of the Battalion’s 68Ws. We will continue this training for
all of our 68Ws. Next, our Forward Treatment Team (FTT) jumped 1x each Golden
Minute and Golden Hour boxes into Panther Storm. The former holds 1 unit of
blood and the latter holds 2 units. The medics jumped a simulated blood
substitute in lieu of actual blood and successfully maintained appropriate
liquid temperatures for the duration of Fury’s participation in the exercise.
·
Live the Legacy. On 19 November, 1-508TH PIR will host
Hero Workouts for SGT Benjamin Sherman and SGT Brandon Islip, who passed in
Afghanistan in November of 2009.
4. Highlights of Future Training/Key Events: 3 weeks
to 1 year.
·
Highlights on future deployments (units/individuals). N/A
·
Requests for Assistance/Help: N/A
·
Emerging Opportunities: Force on Force training during LTTs in
December to leverage opportunities to train squad/platoon attacks against low
water crossings. Opposing forces will conduct EA DEV to defend the low water
crossings. Units will rotate offense/defense each week, using Area J to conduct
their training.
·
Possible CG training event visits: D co TB XII Gunnery, RG 63,
7-11 DEC.
·
Upcoming Weekend Training – N/A
|
