Successful training has Wisconsin Guard battalion in high spirits

By 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson

Wisconsin National Guard

For many members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery, the recently completed annual training may be hard to beat.

"I had 20-year veterans saying - seriously - that it was their best AT ever," said Lt. Col. Steven Sherrod, battalion commander. "You have to take that seriously."

The 121st - a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) battalion headquartered in Milwaukee with subordinate units in Racine, Plymouth and Sussex - completed training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., the battalion's first annual training outside of Wisconsin since 1998. According to Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kaluzny, the new training site was more than just a change of scenery.

"We wanted to challenge the troops with a different environment," he said. "Most of the Soldiers know Fort McCoy like the back of their hand - there's no challenge getting from point to point. Also, this post offers the opportunity for launcher crews to actually fire from multiple locations."

Sherrod said that the lone firing point suitable for rocket artillery at Fort McCoy restricts the battalion to "admin shoots" similar to a standard rifle range, in which technical skills are tested but tactical skills are not. Camp Guernsey's sprawling vistas, challenging terrain and hardy vegetation allowed the battalion to train in realistic conditions - spread out and moving. Each launcher was able to fire training rockets from designated firing positions in its own platoon area, independent of other launchers, firing platoons or firing batteries.

"We also were able to execute logistics support in the field as we should with the 108th Forward Support Company," Sherrod said. The 108th provides maintenance and supply support to firing batteries in the 121st. "In addition, we got the chance to work with the 115th Fires Brigade with whom we are aligned for training. They were a great help in training and logistics support."

Kaluzny said this year's annual training had two distinct phases. The first phase began at Fort McCoy, loading approximately 90 vehicles over the course of two days for transport to Wyoming. Bad weather and unfamiliarity with loading heavy equipment for transport did little to dampen their enthusiasm, he noted.

"They were motivated," he said.

Sherrod said that extensive planning allowed the battalion to meet the challenge of moving both vehicles and approximately 330 Soldiers more than 1,000 miles, as well as ensuring that food, lodging and training areas were prepared.

Kaluzny said that battalion Soldiers were looking forward to performing their military occupational skills at this annual training - not just the launcher crews, but the fuelers, maintenance section, water purifiers and anyone else whose job supports the overall mission.

Capt. Randy Gehrke, commander of the 108th FSC, agreed.

"This is my most fun AT ever," he said. "Just the place, the training, seeing everyone enjoying themselves."

Pfc. Bartholomew Nowak, a member of Battery C's fire direction center, enjoyed the training - even wearing the "full battle-rattle" of helmet, body armor vest and weapon throughout the field exercise.

"It's realistic," he said. "We're learning a lot. Whenever we do training like this I feel more prepared."

The battalion also was afforded the opportunity to shoot 162 training rockets, more than twice the number of rockets for annual training. Kaluzny said the battalion hoped to fire 121 rockets on June 24.

"They knew what they were here for," he said. "They were going to fire."

"This is the best attitude at the close of annual training I've seen since being the commander," Sherrod added. "Our [training] goals were largely reached and all personnel are safe and accounted for. Our battalion is ready, relevant and enthusiastic."

Sherrod appreciated the Wisconsin Army National Guard senior leadership's support for this annual training, which required more time, effort and money than training at Fort McCoy.

"The experience was worth the effort and money dedicated to it," he said. "This annual training was everything I had envisioned and more."