The document provides an overview of training conducted by the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment at the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program. It discusses how the battalion conducted platoon-level training, including squad and platoon-level live fires. It highlights photos from their training, which included clearing buildings, establishing mortar positions, and medical training like a mass casualty exercise. The commander comments that XCTC develops adaptive, morally straight junior leaders and that the Black Hawk Regiment's Soldiers are recognized for their confidence, courtesy, and fighting ability.

1. Crosswire
The
Issue 3 | July 15, 2012 Official Newsletter of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
most recently, their deployments to Iraq and
Afghanistan. Battalion Soldiers find their
assignment both professionally and person-
ally rewarding; the XCTC experience only
further enhances this fact. Membership in
the Regiment is viewed as more than a job;
it’s a way of life.
While the battalion staff is commended for
Black Hawks, Always Ready! developing the XCTC training plan, it is also
the leaders and Soldiers within the subordi-
nate units who deserve admiration. This ex-
by Lt. Col. Ron Tillotson,
Commander, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry 130th Infantry Regiment (Black Hawks), the ercise is progressive and challenges Soldiers
Regiment premier infantry battalion, transitioned from at all levels. To date, the performance and
squad/section/crew-level training to platoon- conduct of the battalion has been outstanding.
Leadership is the essential element of a level training, with the end state of platoon- Soldiers are challenged and asked to operate
command climate that produces strong, adap- level proficiency by September of 2012. well outside their comfort zone; nevertheless,
tive and ethical Soldiers capable of operating Against this backdrop, the battalion created morale remains high and Soldiers remain fo-
in complex environments. Successful unit an aggressive XCTC training plan to develop cused on the task at hand. It is this level of
commanders at all levels develop leaders by dynamic, morally straight junior leaders fo- professionalism and commitment that makes
leveraging the three pillars of leader devel- cused at the platoon-level. The training plan serving among remarkable men of the Black
opment: training, education, and experience. includes squad and platoon-level live fires, Hawk Regiment the highest honor.
The XCTC program expertly supports two core Mission Essential Task training, combat XCTC is the Army National Guard’s pre-
of the three pillars – training and experience. enabler integration and multi-echelon train- mier training exercise that gets to the prob-
XCTC is one of the few training programs ing with mission command at all levels. lem of developing trained and ready units
in the Army’s inventory that allows com- Black Hawks have a long and storied his- prior to mobilization. It is by far the best
manders to develop leaders at all levels, in a tory of professional and selfless service, training many Soldiers will ever experi-
theatre immersed, standards based collective starting in the frontiers of early America, ence. However, XCTC is just one method
training environment. continuing through their participation in the by which the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry
In October of 2011, the 2nd Battalion, Civil War, World War I, World War II and, Regiment creates adaptive, morally straight
junior leaders. In the end, Black Hawk lead-
Keeping a heads up on OPSEC at all times ers at all levels enforce standards and devel-
op Soldiers who are the envy of others - rec-
by: XCTC Command Staff authorized to capture any type of electronic
ognizable everywhere for their confidence,
Soldiers participating in XCTC must keep media.
courtesy, bearing, appearance, and fighting
Operational Security (OPSEC) in mind. Les- We cannot compromise our tactics and
ability. Black Hawks - Always Ready
sons learned in this exercise should not be strategies to the enemy. While you may
shared with friends,family or posted through think a simple Facebook post is harmless, a
Internet sources like Facebook. Soldiers photo of an interpreter could mean death for In this issue
should not be in possession of cell phones or him and his family.
Black Hawk Battalion page 2-3
personal cameras during lanes training. That same photo could result in the death
Additionally, photos of contractors are of your battle buddy. Use common sense Mass Casualty Training page 4
prohibited. Only authorized personnel are and remember OPSEC.
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2. Black Hawk Battalion
Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf.
Regt. walk through a dense forest to begin
assaulting an objective during a platoon
live fire exercise. Soldiers endure rain and
harsh humidty during their training mis-
sion. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher A. Garib-
ay/released)
Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt. based in West Frankfort begin clearing a
building during a platoon live-fire exercise (LFX) July 13 at the XCTC program. The LFX is
a culmination of the team and squad level training that allows the Soldiers in the unit to
come together and maneuver in a platoon-sized element. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher
A. Garibay/released)
“In the end, Black Hawk leaders at all levels enforce
standards and develop Soldiers who are the envy of Pfc. A.J. Distefano of Glen Ellyn and Pfc.
Nicholas J. Clarice of Belleville, Soldiers
others - recognizable everywhere for their confidence, from Co. C, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt. estab-
courtesy, bearing, appearance, and fighting ability.“ lish a hasty mortar firing position during
live fire exercises at Camp Ripley, Minn.
-- Lt. Col. Ron Tillotson, commander, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
Spc. Jarrett J. McDonald of Charleston, Sgt. Kelly B. Veach of Ef- Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt. exit a CH-47 Chinook
fingham, and other Soldiers secure a building during Situational during an air insertion for a platoon-sized LFX where the unit was
Training Exercises. All Soldiers are from Company B, 2nd Battal- tasked with attacking an objective and securing an area by repel-
ion, 130th Infantry Regiment and participating in the Army Na- ling a potential counterattack. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher A.
tional Guard’s eXportable Combat Training Capability program at Garibay/released)
Camp Ripley, Minn. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
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3. Sgt. Ryan P. Roe of Farmer City and Spc. John A.
Sparr of Decatur bound with their team as other
Soldiers provide fire. Both Soldiers are in Com-
pany B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment
and participating in training at Camp Ripley,
Minn. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt. fire on a tank simiulating a coun-
terattack during a platoon-sized LFX. The LFX was the first time Soldiers were
able to come together as a platoon to take over an objective since before they
were deployed. “They did very well,” said Capt. Matt Morse of Carterville. “The
purpose of their training is to achieve tactical excellence, thus meeting the com-
mander’s intent of creating lethal and proficient platoon-sized elements.” (U.S.
Army photo by Spc. Christopher A. Garibay/released).
Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt.) practice bounding with their Hum-
vees during a Situational Training Exercise July 13 during the XCTC program.
Bounding is when Humvees take turns laying down suppressing fire for each
other so that they can advance on an enemy. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Allison Lampe/
released)
Soldiers with Co. A, 2nd Bn.,
130th Inf. Regt. get ready to
begin the next mission during
an all day STX July 13 at Camp
Ripley, Minn. The STX covered
various ambush situations
from open fields to constricted
Mortarmen with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 130th Inf. Regt. based in Mount Vernon are called to bring fire
roads. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Al-
on a position to repel a counterattack during a live-fire exercise. Infantry and mortarman worked lison Lampe/released)
together for the first time since their deployment, bringing together their efforts in a real-life
combat environment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher A. Garibay/released)
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4. Charlie Med saves day during MASCAL exercise
by: Pfc. Allison V. Lampe, 33rd IBCT
Public Affairs.
chaos,” according to Cpt. Henry
Soldiers with Company C, M. Deiters of Marion, Ill. with
634th Brigade Support Battalion Co. C, 634th BSB.
based in Springfield, Ill. took part During the roughly two hours
in a brigade wide mass casualty in which the exercise was con-
(MASCAL) exercise July 15. ducted, medics treated 36 ca-
A MASCAL is defined as any sualties. Although they usually
situation where the number of arrived in ambulances with five
casualties exceeds the avail- or six casualties, at one point
able medical capability to rap- 10 casualties arrived at once for
idly treat and evacuate them. A treatment.
medical unit’s objective during Co. C Soldiers overcame the
a MASCAL event is to triage, challenges of multipe simulat-
treat, and evacuate casualties neous casualties and the overall
based on priority as quickly as chaotic scenario. Senior Section Sgt. Miguel O. Aguilar of Round Lake with the 1st
possible. “The soldiers reacted fantasti- Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment based in Chicago triages and
In other words, “Organized cally,” said Deiters. places an IV on a victim during a mass casulaty exercise during the
XCTC program on July 15. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
Cadet Kristina M. Warfel of Dieterich, Ill. with Company C, 634th
Brigade Support Battalion based in Springfield gives a simulated
casualty an IV during the mass casualty exercise (MASCAL) July Spc. David C. West of Oak Forest with Headquarters and Head-
15 at Camp Ripley, Minn. A MASCAL situation is defined the point quarters Company 1st Battalion, 178 Infantry Regiment, prepares
in which the number of casualties exceeds the available medical an IV for a casualty during a MASCAL exercise July 15. The event
capability to rapidly treat and evacuate them. For the majority of was intended to place medics in a stressful environment, chal-
the medics of Co. C this was their first experie (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. lenging their skills in dealing with multiple casualtiy at one time.
Allison Lampe/released) (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher A. Garibay/released)
Chaplain (Capt.) Vincent C.
Lambert of Chicago, Chaplain
Stay Informed.
for 2nd Bn., 122nd FA offers
pastoral care and comfort to
Stay Connected.
a Soldier during the mass ca-
sualty exercise that evaluated
the ability of Co. C., 634th BSB
to respond to receiving a large
www.facebook.com/33rdIBCT
number of casualties in a short
period of time. (U.S. Army photo
by Maj. Nathan Westby/released)
Follow: @xctc2012ilng
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