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Individual Augmentees Prep for Afghanistan Detainee Ops

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090324-21
Release Date: 3/24/2009 10:08:00 PM

By Army Staff Sergeant Raheem Lay, 1st Army Division East Public Affairs

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (NNS) -- Reserve and active Sailors from all over the country are nearing completion of their training with the Army's 177th Armored Brigade at Camp Shelby in preparation to their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

"We have been training nonstop here at Camp Shelby," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Luong from Orange County, Calif. "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 theatre."

The Sailors are being trained on the most recent detainee operation procedures and warfighting tactics executed in theatre. Veteran Soldiers, who have just returned from battle, are currently working with the Operation Warrior Trainer (OWT) program under the 177th AR BDE at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center (CSJFTC).

Lt. Cmdr. Brett Tittle from Los Angeles said he appreciates the input from the trainers who have recently deployed to theatre.

"It gives us more confidence with the preparation we have received thus far," said Tittle. "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 regard to basic military precision, operation and current warfighting skills. Training such as urban operations, mounted combat patrol, and counter improvised explosive devices (CIED) training has already begun to shape the minds, attitudes and demeanors of the Sailors toward combat engagement.

In just a couple of days, Navy Group 2 will move forward with the detainee assimilated facility training. While there, the Sailors will be directed on proper techniques and measures in a detention facility. The Sailors will be evaluated on the proper execution of different scenarios that may happen while in country.

Tittle said his Sailors are taking full advantage of their training. While 95 percent of Tittle's Sailors are volunteers and many have never been in a combat zone before, he said the Sailors' level of concentration and preparation has been off the charts.

"They understand that they have a critical mission overseas," said Tittle. "Each of them has made significant contributions towards helping one another in developing a team effort environment."

With almost five years of existence under its belt, the 177th AR BDE has successfully trained nearly 75,000 National Guard and Reserve troops for combat. Their willingness to adapt to changes that 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 regiment of the 177th AR BDE staff," said Luong. "Everyday 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 theatre."