ENBODY AIRFIELD, Erzikistan - Troopers of the 506th IR here have been deployed to assist in stabilizing the region.
"Mission-specific" operations, they call it: moving to contact, engaging with superior fighting forces, supporting assets whilst at the same time rooting out insurgents, busting down doors and recognizing improvised explosives.
This comes after 6 months of training in various terrains through combined Field Training Exercises, where the Battalion looked to the future of warfare in a world that has become ever more uncertain and unstable.
The training needed to fight insurgent forces has seen a big increase over the 6-month training cycle. So BN is finding new ways to put our supporting assets back into the front of the action in the recent patrol operations.
"There are definitely going to be challenges ahead," Specialist Carrera said.
He began his career 10 months ago in an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. However Task Force Commanders in tours such as Operation Red Hammer and the recent SPTC Training Cycle ran into difficulty in attempting to effectively make full use of a vehicle that can blast targets from 2 miles out, in a set of terrain features that was composed of steep hills and unending tree-lines; much like Erzikistan.
BFV Crew training in Altis alongside Infantry; terrain that is more than adequate for the M2 Bradley.With the 506th IR fully deployed, the unit is still assessing what was gained and what needs to be improved from the conflict in Podagorsk and Chernarus; a fight which saw many Infantry and supporting assets struggle to maintain the advantage over an enemy that had been trained in similar terrain.
"I think the recent FTX cycle has been very good, I have seen a huge improvement across the whole Platoon," said 2LT Marsden, Platoon Leader of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company in Task Force Echo. "I think the leadership has developed much needed confidence in themselves and their ability to lead both the main elements of a Task Force and the supporting assets we need to sustain a successful mission in Erzikistan."
Erzikistan is facing a destabilizing situation, where radical forces have been able to acquire huge resources in a hurry - such as fighters who call themselves the Erzikistan Republic, recruiting from a nation of restless workers who have become agitated and resentful of US forces in the region since firefights broke out. The training and tactics required to fight an enemy of this nature has been one of the keystones of the FTX cycle, where the 506th IR observed extensive training in working with their supporting Aviation assets.
"Due to presence of commercial air traffic within the area of operations, the 74th will not be lifting from the airbase unless explicitly requested to do so.," Capt Morgan said.
Captain Morgan is the Detachment Commander for the "Flying Tigers", a permanent attachment of A-10 pilots to the 506th IR. He will be one of many pilots having to abide by international protocols for flight. So what does this mean for the 506th IR and their reliance on Aviation support?
"Our priority is to protect the civilian populace in the area and look for a diplomatic solution and as such the 74th does not expect to be utilized for any CAS missions," he continues. The International Civil Aviation Organization has stepped in and put in place protocols on Air Support missions in the region, creating additional challenges for Aviation.
506th IR and 74th Squadron Aviation assets conducting training with Infantry in Takistan.""As the AO is rather mountainous with some steep inclines, as well as possessing some dense forests, our pilots will be training heavily on landings in tight locations," says 2LT Santos, the recently appointed Delta Company Commander. The training needed to fight the so called Erzikistan Republic is becoming increasingly mission specific.
And that requires the reacquainting of soldiers with light infantry tactics, which will be relied heavily upon in the coming battles over a broad and rugged terrain, blending the necessity of COIN operations with the emphasis on battlefield finesse with Infantry taking the lead role in engagements.
At a time when US military actions has become defined by playing a part in a Coalition of forces, the 506th IR is relying on itself and is seeking to reassert itself on the strategic world stage.
*This news report is a fictional work to support the 506th ARMA gameplay**
Written by SSG Biggs
