While attending annual training at Camp Funston, Fort Riley, the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor Regiment conducted a unit mobilization drill. During the drill, the entire battalion moved all their vehicles to a designated area in preparation to deploy, replicating a real-world event.
“The whole intent was, within 72 hours of hitting the ground, getting any vehicle that was able to move from our fleet into one of the motor pools so we could get a good visualization of what actually works and is able to move,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Miller, battalion logistics officer.
Miller said approximately 50 Soldiers took part in the exercise, moving more than 30 vehicles, including Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles.
“Once I had accounted for what vehicles made it, they went back to their original motor pool,” said Miller. “With the vehicles actually moving, it gave a really good visualization of which vehicles are fully mission-capable.”
This training exercise meets one of the battalion’s Mission Essential Task Listings by planning, resourcing, and conducting Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration. The units focused on safely moving vehicles, ensuring accountability of all assigned equipment, and reinforcing a shared understanding of processes and procedures used by the battalion staff to prepare for deployment.