Chris Down Under Page 1

The following articles are from the 2-27 Infantry Battalion web page of the 25th Infantry Divisions' web site.

http://www.25idl.army.mil/unit_frame.asp?unit_id=303  Then click "In the News".  Look for July 10 through August 14, 2003 for articles

Photo(s) by Spc. Sean Kimmons Sgt. Brian Riegel, platoon sergeant with the 6th RAR, advises Spc. Jack Linn, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., on the Australian F88 Austeyr rifle during an exercise at the Weapons Training Simulation Center July 10. 2nd Lt. Steven Holmberg, platoon leader with Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., traverses a rope obstacle, as part of the 14-station Gallipolli Barracks obstacle course July 10.

Training exercises acclimate Wolfhounds to Australia By Spc. Sean Kimmons Assistant editor GALLIPOLLI BARRACKS, Australia -- In preparation of a four-day Canungra field training exercise, Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment conducted three-day iteration exercises inside the Gallipolli Barracks and Enoggera area July 9-11. The local training consisted of platoon drills on Australian weapon systems using a weapons training simulation center, a 14-station obstacle course and platoon field movements on Australian terrain. The weapons training simulation center, similar to the STRIKE House on Schofield Barracks, presented Soldiers with different scenarios in which 12-man squads matched up against computerized enemies using Australian weapon systems. One reason for having Wolfhound Soldiers learn these weapon systems is to better prepare them for whenever they might have to fight alongside Australian forces. "We never know when we are going to be on the same battlefield, so we need to know their weapons," said Spc. Isaac Diaz, automatic rifleman for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. "You never know when you might be picking up their weapon." The Australian Soldiers expressed similar views on the cross training. "It's important for us and the U.S. Soldiers to create a bond and get to know each other's operational capabilities," said Sgt. Brian Riegel, assault pioneer platoon sergeant for the 6th Bn. Royal Australian Rgt. Battle simulation training does this for the Wolfhounds as it "ensures in future joint operations, U.S. Soldiers understand the capability of the Australian weapons," Riegel said. The Gallipolli Barracks obstacle course offered a different training goal, as it geared up the Wolfhounds for the longer and tougher Canungra obstacle course. "It prepares them for the environment in Australia and helps them with their mental toughness, teamwork and agility," said Cpl. Shawn Heiderich, physical training instructor for 6th RAR. The 14-station course included strenuous obstacles using ropes, water, low-crawl positions, a 12-foot wall, tunnels and cargo netting.

Photo(s) by Spc. Sean Kimmons Spc. Kevin Corter, a sniper from Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., looks at an Australian SR98 sniper rifle, as his Australian counterpart checks out his sniper rifle July 8. Cpl. Gerrard Radosevich, 6th RAR, displays an Australian night vision goggle headset to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. Soldiers July 8. Sgt. Daniel Mansfield, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. squad leader, admires an Australian F88 Austeyr rifle part during the a familiaraztion course July 8.

Training ‘down under’ By Spc. Sean Kimmons Assistant editor GALLIPOLI BARRACKS, Australia -- After a day-long delay, the jet-lagged Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment finally arrived in Australia July 8 for the start of the Pacific Bond 2003 exercise. The first thing Soldiers encountered down under was basic Australian infantry static displays presented by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Rgt. Included in the displays were Australian infantry weapon systems, a squad vehicle capable of transporting 10 Soldiers and their equipment, a pioneer equipment display similar to combat engineer equipment and other basic infantry weapons and tools that Australian Soldiers use in the field. One reason for the static displays was to welcome the Wolfhound Soldiers upon their arrival to Australia. "We're integrating the U.S. Soldiers on some of the basic Australian infantry equipment we use," said Cpl. Gerrard Radosevich, Co. A, 6th RAR. "It's a way to create a bond from relating and interacting with the Australian Soldiers," Radosevich said. "These guys just came from another country, and you just have to make them feel welcome and get good relations straight away." "They seemed very interested in educating us on their infantry knowledge and structure," said Pfc. Kevyn Mack, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., armorer. "By putting on these displays it made me feel very welcomed to a country I've never been to." Building that bond between U.S. and Australian forces will help both when they fight in cooperation. "It has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, Australians and Americans find themselves fighting side-by-side on the battlefields, so it's important that we take every opportunity in peace time to enhance the inoperability between our two countries," said Maj. Patrick Powell, 6th RAR executive officer. PACBOND 2003 officially began July 9 with a welcoming ceremony for the Wolfhounds. During the ceremony, the company was greeted by battalion senior leaders and was attached to the 6th RAR for the duration of its time in Australia.