The air trembled with the roar of artillery and the unmistakable thrum of AH-64 Apache helicopters as crews from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (Greywolf), 1st Cavalry Division, launched a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) on Jan. 13.
Conducted at the Jack Mountain Multi-Use Range, the exercise marked a critical milestone for the brigade as it prepares for its upcoming National Training Center (NTC) rotation this spring.
According to a press release from the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the exercise involved a multifaceted assault on a simulated training compound, designed to challenge participants in a high-intensity combat scenario. Incorporating attack aviation, dismounted infantry, tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, combat engineers, heavy artillery, and logistics support, the training emphasized coordination and cohesion across all levels of the brigade.
For many leaders and Soldiers, this exercise was their first opportunity to train together since joining the unit. Lt. Col. Erik Miller, commander of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, emphasized the challenges and growth that come with such a comprehensive exercise.
“When you start including squads, platoons, companies, and all of the infrastructure and support requirements, it creates the friction of first-time experiences,” said Miller. “On the other side of the coin, those friction points have also been the most rewarding as the teams have figured out, learned, proven, and grown confidence in themselves.”
The exercise allowed the crews to refine their skills through gunnery qualification tables, including Table 6. This table trains Soldiers to safely and effectively operate their assigned weapon systems, whether mounted or unmounted, ensuring precision and readiness in combat.
“This training is the affirmation of the work the squads, platoons, and companies have done over the last six months,” Miller added. “To see them execute has been a huge boost for them as they build their confidence and get those repetitions.”
Beyond enhancing warfighting capabilities, the exercise also served as a platform to integrate additional resources and training elements. Aviation crews joined the ground forces, and electronic warfare scenarios are planned to be introduced in future iterations of the exercise.
“We are able to pull in a bunch of different resources that are external to the organization,” said Miller. “It’s a really good way of creating problem sets that we may encounter at the National Training Center.”
For Major James Hobbs, operations officer with the 3rd Engineer Battalion, the exercise underscores the importance of teamwork and preparation. “Getting out here and working as a team is great,” said Hobbs. “It’s going to make us more lethal and help us win every fight.”
Scheduled to deploy to the National Training Center this spring, the Greywolf Brigade views this CALFEX as a critical opportunity to strengthen their readiness. The training event is set to continue at Fort Cavazos through Feb. 3, providing ample time for units to refine their tactics and coordination.
The Greywolf Brigade’s focus on integration and adaptability underscores its commitment to maintaining combat readiness, ensuring its Soldiers are prepared to face the challenges of modern warfare.