Reserve and active-duty Sailors from all over the country form a united front in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This year, Sailors from Navy Group 2 will conduct a detainee operations mission in Afghanistan. Knowing how critical this mission will be, the 177th Armored Brigade is dedicated to ensuring that these Sailors have the necessary tools and guidance to make their mission a success.
"We have been training nonstop here at Camp Shelby," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Luong. "Although we have a week to go before entering the detainee operations training facility, the field training exercises have kept our motivation and confidence level high. Our Soldiers are dedicated to the training and to the mission we stand to face in theater."
The Sailors are being trained on the most recent detainee operational procedures and warfighting tactics executed in theater. Veteran Soldiers, who have just returned from battle, act as controllers/trainers working with Sailors on the Operation Warrior Trainer (OWT) under the 177th Armored Brigade at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center.
Lt. Cmdr. Brett Tittle said he appreciates the input from the trainers who have recently deployed to theater. "It gives us more confidence with the preparation we have received thus far. Knowing that we are being educated with the most recent intel raises our levels of understanding and awareness of our mission in combat."
So far, the Sailors have undergone an extensive amount of training in basic military precision and warfighting. Training, in urban operations, mounted combat patrol and countering improvised explosive devices (IED), has already begun to shape the minds and attitudes of the Sailors in preparation for combat.
After field training, Navy Group 2 will move into detainee simulated facility training. While there, the Sailors will be directed on proper procedures for a detention facility. The Sailors will be evaluated on proper execution to different scenarios that may occur while in country.
Tittle said his Sailors are taking full advantage of their training. While 95 percent of the Sailors are volunteers and many have never been in ground combat before, he said the Sailors' level of concentration and preparation has been "off the charts."
"They understand that they have a critical mission overseas," Tittle said. "Each of them has made significant contributions towards helping one another in developing a team effort environment."
With almost five years since its establishment, the 177th Armored Brigade has successfully trained nearly 75,000 National Guard and Reserve troops for combat. Its willingness to adapt to changes, which have occurred since the beginning of the war, has made Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center one of the most prolific mobilization training sites in the country.
"We are amazed with the training and preparation regimen of the 177th Armored Brigade staff," Luong said. "Every day sets a new challenge for all of us. We continue to learn about our mission and most importantly ourselves. I am certain that the training groundwork we discover here at Camp Shelby will carry us through to our mission in theater."
Staff Sgt. Raheem Lay is with the 177th Armored Brigade public affairs office located at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss.