2008 Annual Report - West Virginia Army National Guard - U.S. Army

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West Virginia National Guard Annual Report 2008 1 st Battalion, 201 st Field Artillery The 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, established on Feb. 17, 1735, is known as the oldest continuous service unit in the Army – the 1st West Virginia. During Fiscal Year 2008 the Battalion focused on platoon level proficiency required by the Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) training model to incrementally prepare the unit for re-deployment. In addition, the 201st serves as the National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) for West Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area. This year’s training resulted in significant improvements with Paladin gunnery during the live-fire exercise and annual training at Fort Pickett, Va. During the live-fire exercise in March the unit live-fire certified 15 Paladin Howitzer sections, and during Annual Training in May, the unit live-fire certified 4 Paladin platoons. Also during annual training the 201st conducted realistic training lanes emulating the current operating environments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers experienced several scenarios that included groups of agitated civilians and IED attacks on convoys. Soldiers were trained on proper convoy security procedures using the Vehicle Convoy Operations Trainer (VCOT) and transitioned from there to the convoy live-fire range. capability sets and completed a NLW certification course at Camp Dawson, W.Va. During the five-day certification course each NGRF soldiers completed 80 hours of training related to non-lethal weapons. The course covered kinetic non-lethal weapons, riot control agents, riot control formations, vehicle and vessel stoppers, rules of engagement, rules for use of force, and emerging technologies. Each soldier was required to demonstrate proficiency using pepper spray, riot batons, the TASER, and defensive tactics in order to receive certification through Penn State University, The Eberly Campus’ Center for Community and Public Safety (CCPS). The 1201st Forward Support Company (FSC) continued its transition to a modular support company. During annual training the FSC established its first field ammunition transfer point used for the distribution of howitzer ammunition. The FSC also fielded a new fuel tanker system designed to improve fuel distribution support capability. In January 2008 the battalion’s NGRF fielded non-lethal weapons (NLW) 46
West Virginia National Guard Annual Report 2008 1 st Squadron, 150 th Armored Reconnaissance (Second West Virginia) The 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron has spent the year of 2008 in a high optempo mode of training in preparation for their second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the spring of 2009. The unit has fielded multiple operational systems including the first ever Scout Gunnery Tables in Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Soldiers of the 150th have attended multiple Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) schools throughout the last two years due to converting the organization from a Tank Battalion to a Armored Calvary Squadron. The diligent work of these soldiers has allowed the organization to climb over the 90% MOSQ mark. The unit has attended multiple training events in preparation for deployment. In May of 2009 the unit attended a 21 Day Annual Training with our higher headquarters 30th HBCT at Camp Shelby MS. In November of 2009 the unit attended a Bde Warfighter exercise with the 30th at Camp Fisher, NC. The year has been a very fast paced and intense amount of training. The soldiers are motivated and our mission is clear. The support of the community and HQs-WVARNG has been outstanding. 47
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2008 Annual Report - West Virginia Army National Guard - U.S. Army

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