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National Guard Soldiers learn new battlefield tech at Grissom

  • Published
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Indiana National Guard Soldiers assigned to 38th Sustainment Brigade set up a tactical operation center from the ground up and immediately began training on new digital equipment at Grissom Air Reserve Base during a recent exercise.

The 38th Sustainment Brigade, which is based out of Kokomo, Ind., chose to use Grissom to setup their TOC because of the base facilities and available room for their multi-tent structure, said Capt. Bernice Spencer, 38th Sustainment Brigade.

The brigade's new equipment is part of an Army-wide cohesion of digital operating systems. The Battle Command Sustainment Support System, Tactical Battle Command operating system and other communication devices were the primary focus of the training.

During the training, the Soldiers learned how the software programs work as a fully-integrated system and provide accurate and timely information for those operating on the battlefield.

Civilian trainers from a contracting company led most of the instruction for the Soldiers. Lawrence Hillman, senior Army battle command systems integrator and course instructor, said these systems are crucial for the battlefield.

"It gives you real-time tracking on all equipment and units traveling from point-to-point," said Hillman. "All of these systems help you understand what's happening on the battlefield."

Hillman also stated this training is very important, especially because of the National Guard's increased involvement with overseas contingency operations over the last ten years.

"We are one Army, the National Guard, reserve and active duty, and we all are using the same equipment," he added.

Approximately 100 Army units each year receive training on the Army Battle Command Systems and Hillman said the 38th Sustainment Brigade is one of the better sustainment brigades he has trained and seen in operation.

Russiaville, Ind., native and Afghanistan veteran, Sgt. Aaron Knight, a brigade logistics sergeant, said he can see how these computer systems are relevant to today's battlefield operations.

"Commanders have a real-time view of components around them," said Knight. "You can pull up satellite photos of the area of operations, search for enemy activities and plan a safe route based on intelligence."

"These systems make our jobs more efficient," Knight added. "It allows us to concentrate on supporting our troops better."

The 38th Sustainment Brigade is part of the Indiana National Guard's 38th Infantry Division, which deploys and conducts full spectrum operations to fight and win decisive campaigns to stabilize nations abroad and support communities in the homeland.

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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(Editor's note: Story compiled from information provided by U.S. Army Sgt. Sgt. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters public affairs and Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner, 434th ARW public affairs)