Apr 5, 2022
Idaho National Guard Partakes in Medevac Training

idaho

The 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Battalion conducted an extended drill period March 24 – April 1 at the Orchard Combat Training Center to build team proficiency prior to deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield later this year, according to a recent report from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

“The battalion did a phenomenal job coming together as a team,” Maj. Sam McDowell, 2-116th CAB commander, said to DVIDS.

Below is an excerpt from the DVIDS article on the Idaho Army National Guard

The unit took advantage of several of the OCTC’s 23 training ranges to conduct individual weapon qualifications, crew-served weapon qualifications, a staff exercise, sniper training, Javelin firing and mortar training to Table III.

idaho
Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur / Idaho Army National Guard

The battalion also teamed up with the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st of the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion to conduct medevac and combat search and rescue training as well as air insertion missions on a simulated village located within the OCTC.

More than 700 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers, comprising a task force led by the 2-116th CAB, will deploy to Southwest Asia for approximately 12 months in support of OSS later this year. OSS is a joint mission under the United States Central Command and is part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

» ALSO SEE: An Inside Look at an Indianapolis Police Academy Training Session

The task force will relieve Task Force Griz, which is currently performing the same mission. Task Force Griz is led by the 116th CBCT’s 1st of the 163rd CAB and consists of Soldiers from the Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Oregon National Guards as well as augmentees from the Florida National Guard. More than 20 percent of the current task force is made up of Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers.

“The Soldiers of the 116th CBCT are training hard and will be prepared for this mission when they deploy,” said Lt. Col. Eric Orcutt, 116th CBCT commander.

To read the full story from DVIDS about the Idaho Army National Guard, click here.