Running across a news story that includes a quote or photo of a loved one is like winning the lottery! I know it sounds strange but it makes you feel a little closer....it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling!
Story by Staff Sgt. Natalie Hedrick, 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID, Public Affairs
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – When Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division waved “goodbye” to their loved ones and climbed on the bus that took them to the plane to haul them overseas, they were not going to Iraq. Not just yet.
After almost 48 hours, Sledgehammer Soldiers stepped off the plane in Ali Al Salem in Kuwait City. This time without the fanfare, they loaded another bus headed for the first leg of their deployment; Camp Buehring.
Over the three weeks to follow, 3rd HBCT Soldiers conducted a series of training events while getting acclimated to the dry heat and time zone change of the Middle East.
For Spc. Cathlynn Shagonaby, a Grand Rapids, Mich. native serving in Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, four days was all it took to adapt to the changes.
“I think the month we spent at (the National Training Center) helped weather wise,” she said. “To get used to the time I just tried to stay up until it was time to go to sleep Kuwait time.”
The training schedule allowed little flexibility for Soldiers to have trouble acclimating. Troops hit the ground running, training, in some cases, from morning to night on various events. Medical simulation, vehicle roll-over simulation, and counter improvised explosive device awareness, were a few amongst the extensive list of classes available to brigade Soldiers and leaders alike.
“Much of this training here is meant to protect the Soldier,” explained Capt. Nicholas James, assistant operations officer for the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. “The training is based on problems we’ve seen. A lot of Soldiers are killed from IEDs and vehicle roll-overs. It’s important to look out for Soldier’s safety.”
Camp Buehring is the final time the 3rd HBCT as a whole will train before moving north into Iraq. Soldiers spent 30 days training at Fort Benning during Hammer Focus and then another 30 days at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.
“The training in Kuwait offers different tastes than NTC hence more variety,” said 3rd HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. James Pearson. “Where previous training events we were focusing heavily on the brigade as a whole, in Kuwait, we are able to get individual and platoon level training.”
The current 2009 training at Camp Buehring is Pearson’s third with the brigade. He said he has always been impressed and rates the training first class.
“The training incorporates the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures from Iraq,” he said. “We will be better prepared as a result.”
Pearson said the 3rd HBCT Soldiers will spend the next approximately 365 days advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces so they will be able to secure Iraq with minimal outside help.
James is certain training will continue in conjunction with the accomplishment of the mission during the unit’s deployment to southern Iraq.
Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, provide security to their convoy during mounted patrol training in a mock village, Oct. 20 outside Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Local roll players were used to simulate Iraqi Army counterparts and local civilians on the battlefield. (photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Hedrick, Company A, 1-15 Inf. Regt.) 
Soldiers of Company G, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, conduct convoy training Oct. 20 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Much of the training performed at Camp Buehring was designed to teach Soldiers the proper techniques during hazardous conditions they might face in Iraq. (courtesy photo, Company G, 203rd BSB)
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