Joint Base Lewis-McChord's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Ready For Afghanistan

(Editor's note: This story and photo were provided by Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. Story was written by Staff Sgt. Bryan Dominique)

All the hard work and preparation 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division put in last year for its rotation to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA, has left the Lancer soldiers a combat–ready force equipped for any mission.

And that mission lies ahead in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense announced mid-February that the brigade would be deployed to Afghanistan in late spring of this year.

“I wholeheartedly feel that the leaders and soldiers of the Lancer Brigade are of the finest quality and are competent and capable of completing any and all missions assigned,” said Col. Tobin L. Green, the National Training Center operations group commander. “This unit was extremely successful wherever assigned. The drive and determination of the leaders and soldiers of this brigade will continue to prove an invaluable asset to the United States and its operations worldwide.”

With a strong will and drive to succeed, the Lancer Brigade marched into the NTC November 2011 and showcased to the Army exactly what they were capable of.

“What I remember most about this brigade is its motivation level collectively,” said Green. “From the initial start of rotation 12-02, the leaders and soldiers seemed eager to get going and this high level of motivation continued throughout the rotation. As the operational tempo of the rotation increased, so did their determination and drive.”

During Green’s tenure as the operations group commander he has oversaw more than 18 units rotate through the Army’s premier training center as they make final preparations to deploy overseas for a wide range of missions.

“This brigade is extremely competent and from what we have seen of them here at the National Training Center, they possess the ability to work together as a team and incorporate all of their available assets to accomplish their mission,” said Green. “I am confident that the training, experience and knowledge gained here at the National Training Center will complement their additional training making this unit even stronger.” 

Like most units, 2nd Brigade began its preparation for the NTC about one year out, which enables the combat trainers at the NTC to assist a unit in focusing their training at home to meet the demands of a deployment.

“Our teams are in contact with all of the staff sections early on ensuring that they are set up for success,” said Green. “With the forming of a relationship and information exchange between the unit and our teams early on, we can better prepare the unit by identifying shortcomings and assisting the unit in improving them.”

Prior to the 2nd Brigade’s rotation at the Army’s premier training center, the Lancers conducted five training exercises to the Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Wash., accompanied by numerous home station training exercises. 

The time these soldiers spent away from family preparing for the NTC and the mission that now lies ahead of them is a costly investment, but one that will surely prove to be invaluable as the Lancers look ahead to the challenges that await them.