Written by Sgt. Neysa Canfield
101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs
Fort Campbell, KY – Soldiers with 584th Support Maintenance Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade, 101st Abn. Div., conducted a company Field Training Exercise, September 26th-30th, here.
Capt. Stanley Crockett, commander for 584th SMC, 129th CSSB, said the intent behind the FTX was to certify and validate the company’s mission essential tasks.
The training covered during the exercises included occupying, establishing and defending the company’s area of operation.“It gets the Soldiers back to basic fundamental warrior tasks and battle drills,” said Crockett. “As the maintenance company, it gives us an opportunity to train and operate in a different and austere environment.”
Spc. Judson Edel, a utility equipment repairer with 584th SMC, 129th CSSB, said he was glad to be back in the field.
“You have to think on your toes and be able send up reports,” explained Edel. “It’s good to get the mind moving.”
Edel added that exercises like this are especially good for new Soldiers in the military.
“You are constantly on guard and don’t get much sleep or time to relax,” said Edel. “It makes it more realistic to being deployed [compared to daily operations].”
Crockett, who is a logistics officer, said because that as a maintenance company his Soldiers are technically proficient because they perform their jobs on a daily basis. However, the FTX ensured his Soldiers practiced their tactical skills.
“We must be technically and tactically proficient, ready to deploy and perform our assigned mission anywhere in the world and in any environment,” said Crockett.