DVIDS – News – Michigan Guard unit tackles Tunisia at African Lion 22

BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia – Southern Tunisia incorporates a huge desert expanse so far as the attention can see. Toxic scorpions, giant camel spiders and a number of species of snakes make this land their dwelling. As well as, fierce sandstorms and excessive warmth are the norms through the summer season months.

“Coming from Michigan, unit management agreed this is able to make for a singular coaching setting to check our tools and problem our troopers,” stated U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Darin Alexander, first sergeant of Bravo Firm, third Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment (third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt.), Michigan Nationwide Guard.

“A problem is precisely what our troopers acquired,” he added.

third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt. signed up for an abroad deployment for coaching (ODT) train African Lion 22 on the Ben Ghilouf Coaching Space in Tunisia. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest and premier annual train, involving greater than 7,500 service members from 28 nations and NATO June 6 – 30. The coaching bolsters interoperability and helps U.S. navy strategic readiness to answer crises and contingencies in Africa and all over the world.

The infantry unit’s capabilities characteristic M4 rifles, a few of which embrace M320 grenade launcher modules, in addition to belt-fed M249 squad automated weapons and M240B machine weapons. All of those weapon techniques have been on show throughout coaching.

“We practice by extraordinarily chilly temperatures all through the winter in Michigan,” stated U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Blackburn, a platoon sergeant, third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt. “It is nice to see our troopers and tools may also stand up to the stress of extraordinarily scorching climate and blowing sand.”

To mitigate heat-related casualties, unit management emphasised hydration all through the train. Water, in addition to powdered electrolytes, was on-hand always. Moreover, a medical crew, natural to the unit, went out every day to observe troopers throughout and after coaching missions.

Consequently, third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt., efficiently accomplished vary operations the place troopers zeroed their weapons, executed reflexive hearth eventualities and demonstrated weapons proficiency. Moreover, they performed a number of dry and live-fire workout routines which included fight lifesaver strategies on simulated casualties.

The unit maintained particular person soldier readiness and welfare whereas additionally finishing required company-level mission-essential duties.

African Lion’s culminating occasion was a joint mixed arms live-fire train along with the Tunisian Armed Forces, twenty second Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 2nd Safety Pressure Help Brigade, and models from the Kansas and Oregon Nationwide Guard.

“After we deploy, we’ll deploy with companions,” stated U.S. Army 1st Lt. Timothy Stark, commander of B Co., third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt. “It’s important to coach collectively, study from different models and militaries, and develop as a multinational crew.”

“We don’t at all times get to decide on our working setting so we should be ready for something,” he added on a cloudless 113-degree Fahrenheit day whereas main his unit by a simulated live-fire rehearsal.

Together with roughly 70 troopers of third Bn., 126th Inf. Regt. who skilled in Tunisia, hundreds of different U.S. service members performed workout routines concurrently in Morocco, Ghana and Senegal throughout African Lion 22.

The train entails strengthening shared protection capabilities to counter transnational threats and violent extremist organizations, which is for the widespread good of the U.S. and African accomplice nations.

Acclimating to the local weather, understanding the terrain and coaching with accomplice nations are mandatory to perform this objective.

“We got here to Tunisia to place our troopers to the take a look at,” concluded Alexander. “They handed that take a look at and we’re prepared when known as upon.”