82nd Airborne Division Conducts Realistic Training Despite COVID-19

Aug. 10, 2020 | BY Army Staff Sgt. Sharon Matthias

The Army's 82nd Airborne Division is employing COVID-19 measures while still conducting realistic training for its paratroopers.

The division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion hosted a fire-team training exercise July 16 near West McKeithan Pond on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Army commanders use exercises in combat-environment training areas to evaluate the capabilities of their weapons and their paratroopers.

Army Capt. Samuel Rolofson, a military intelligence officer, was the officer in charge of the training.

''This training was unique because many of our mitigation measures for COVID-19 are in effect,'' he said. ''We are using unique strategies within the COVID restriction guidelines mandated by [Forces Command].''

To prevent excessive heat exposure injuries, soldiers rest and cool off without using cooling tents, which only recycle air and create a confined space, Rolofson said.

Rolofson controlled range operations from the training area's tower. On the ground, Army Capt. Maitiu Laman, Headquarters Support Company commander, observed the teams' communication techniques and their weapons function while they moved toward the objective.

For Rolofson and Laman, their mission was clear. They were focused on improving any complexities the trainers may foresee while reinforcing, sustaining  and expanding the paratroopers' marksmanship skills to ready them for war.

''Earlier today, we started with a dry run,''  said Army Sgt. Christian Smith, a fire team leader. ''It was a little choppy as we worked out the mechanics, but as we progressed, we saw a significant improvement throughout the entire exercise. I believe our team definitely got some great training out of it today.''

The firing range at West McKeithan Pond was triple-layered. It was designed to provide forested, desert and urban fighting areas to challenge the soldiers with real-life combat scenarios.

''The range is unique to the paratroopers,'' Rolofson said. ''It has a right and left side maneuverer, with realistic environments that were relatively new to them.''

Army Lt. Col Todd Sunday, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion commander, and battalion chaplain Mike Basie visited the range, talked with the paratroopers, served them chow and recognized them for their work during the training.

''When the [battalion chaplain] came to me, we talked about the training and techniques I can use to improve my marksmanship fundamentals,'' said Army Pvt. Edward Wiggins, an intelligence analyst. ''It was pretty cool.''

(Army Staff Sgt. Sharon Matthias is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.)