U.S. Military
1-112th Infantry Live Fire Training
By PFC Sherece Maddox and PFC Coltin Heller
Jan 13, 2008 - 9:01:07 PM

Blackanthem Military News

Soldiers with the 1-112th Infantry of Bradford, Pa. board a Blackhawk helicopter, at Fort Indiantown Gap as part of mission training Jan. 12. The Soldiers performed movement and fire drills and evacuating casualties while utilizing Stryker vehicles and the Blackhawk helicopter. (Photo by SPC Shawn Miller)

Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. - The woods at Fort Indiantown Gap seem still, the trees standing like skeletal sentinels.  However amidst the stillness are the Soldiers of the 1-112th Infantry of Bradford, Pa., actively moving through the woods as they train on Range 34, the Infantry Squad Battle Course.

The ISBC is designed for infantry units such as the 1-112th to conduct live fire drills. The course included pop-up targets and silhouettes of buildings. The procedures the unit conducted were advancing to an objective, line of fire toward an objective, basic fire and maneuvering assaults to clear the objective. These tasks set the foundation for proper squad solidarity. 

The unit was broken down into nine man squads for the exercise which rotated throughout the day.  They started out by making a dry run through the course and progressed to blank and live ammunition to simulate a real world scenario.
   
To further simulate a combat environment, mock improvised explosive devices were used in the mission.  After the objective was reached and security was established, Stryker vehicles arrived to transport the squads and any mock casualties. To familiarize themselves with medical evacuation procedures and entering and exiting vehicles, the squads and simulated casualties, were taken to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
   
The exercise was focused on practicing reacting to contact and preparing for what could happen overseas. The unit as a whole is ready for any type of deployment, said Sgt. William Hasson of B company of the 1-112th. 
   
"This is a vital training asset aid for future missions," said Spc Dale Rupp, B Co. of the 1-112th.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Sgt. Kellen D. Gearhart of the 1-112th Infantry of Bradford, Pa. commands his Stryker vehicle while performing training exercises Jan. 12 at Fort Indiantown Gap. The Strykers supported infantry units practicing movement and fire drills for mission training. (Photo by SPC Shawn Miller)

Soldiers with the 1-112th Infantry of Bradford, Pa. board a Stryker vehicle during training exercises Jan. 12 at Fort Indiantown Gap. The Soldiers practiced live-fire training and squad movements while using the supporting Strykers for vital mission training. (Photo by SPC Shawn Miller)