Press Release
☷The First of Its Kind 4th CAV Takes Mobilization to a New Level
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
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FORT KNOX , Ky . - An excited energy filled the Sadowski Center at Fort Knox , Kentucky March 14 . 211 soldiers from the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command from Birmingham , Alabama arrived , ready for their mobilization validation . Several units across Fort Knox came together to provide all manner of support to the unit in preparation for mobilization to contingency operations in Southwest Asia . Across the installation , a slightly smaller group gathered in anticipation in the Tactical Operations Center of the 4th Cavalry Multi - Functional Training Brigade . Soldiers and Civilians of the 4th Cavalry received their marching orders from Maj . Matthew Templeton , Current Operations Officer in Charge and on - site Battle Major . “This is the culmination of months of planning and work on our part , but it’s most important for us all to remember that this is the culminating event before we send 135th out the door into real - world operations , ” Templeton inspired his troops . Not only was this mobilization event the reward of 4th Cavalry’s time and effort , as well as that of its Fort Knox neighbor units , it was also a test of sorts . “This was the first time we’ve ever partnered with a National Guard unit , as well as our first General Officer - level command unit that we’ve validated , ” Mr . Brett Lisher , 4th Cavalry Planning and Exercise Mobilization expert , said . Lisher , Templeton , and numerous others in the brigade dedicated countless hours to ensuring this first - of - its - kind validation was conducted perfectly . 4th Cavalry , along with its sister First U . S . Army units , is tasked by Title 10 of the U . S . Code to validate all mobilizing Army Reserve and National Guard units . They are the only units tasked with this mission in the entire Army . However , 4th Cavalry had not yet been tested in its ability to validate a National Guard unit , let alone one commanded by an officer outranking its commander . “It was an honor to work with Brig . Gen . Thomas Vickers in this capacity , ” said Col . Timothy M . Gallagher , commander , 4th Cavalry MFTB . “To be able to highlight and showcase the talents and expertise of the 4th Cavalry team was even more rewarding . Knowing that the 135th ESC was able to train up its entire deploying force and authenticate their skills because of our work was so gratifying , especially knowing this was the first time we have done it this way , ” he continued . The mobilization concluded with a ten - day real - world scenario exercise , or Culminating Training Exercise ( CTE ) , held at the Fort Knox Mission Training Center ( MTC ) alongside subject matter experts from 1st Theater Sustainment Command . “The CTE is the final training event , ensuring the deploying ESC is prepared to execute Combatant Commander requirements after arriving in theater , ” Maj . Desmond Braziel , 4th Cavalry Brigade Simulations Officer , said . “First Army validates the unit’s ability to meet Force Tracking Number ( FTN ) requirements by incorporating both the higher headquarters and subordinate units into a multi - echelon exercise to realistically simulate working with the logistics enterprise in theater , ” he continued . The CTE followed three weeks of individual and team - focused training . Soldiers were qualified on nearly every weapons system available , including pistols , rifles , and grenade launchers , both individually fired and crew served . They also received sexual harassment and assault prevention training , mandatory theater - specific training , tactical combat casualty care training , and HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer simulations . The final parties of the 135th ESC departed Fort Knox April 22 . The 1st TSC , 645th Regional Support Group , 84th Training Command , and 4th Cavalry had all come together for over a month . Transportation , meals , lodging , and even entertainment , had all taken their toll on the units , but , when the final bus left the installation , the soldiers and civilians of each supporting command could take pride in knowing their partners were prepared .
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