2006 Annual Training Conference

By Rob Schuette, Triad Staff

      Several hundred representatives from units that will train at Fort McCoy this year attended the 2006 Fort McCoy Annual Training Coordination Conference Jan. 19 to learn about training opportunities at the installation.

Attendees at the Fort McCoy 2006 Annual Training Coordination Conference hear about changes in the training ranges at Fort McCoy . (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      The representatives also were able to meet with installation personnel and other unit representatives to coordinate their upcoming training.

      Fort McCoy is striving to keep on the leading edge in developing ranges and training facilities to support the military personnel who train at the installation, said Bill Kasten.

      Kasten, director of Fort McCoy Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, said the goal of the installation is to support troops at Fort McCoy today and develop plans and strategies to support training doctrine 10 to 20 years in the future.

      To meet those objectives, the installation has developed a schedule to improve ranges and bring a number of new facilities on line, he said.

      "We encourage you to tell us what you need in ranges and training areas," Kasten said. "We will work to get it for you."

      Installation Commander Col. Derek J. Sentinella said the installation strives to be "purple" and meet the training needs of all services  --  Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.

      "We cannot do that unless you tell us what you're looking at for training," Sentinella said. "It takes a lot of work by this staff" to ensure units get the best training experience possible with a minimum of distractions.

      "If there's some training out there that some of you may not have completed at home station and you need that training while you're here ask for it, and we'll get it for you," Sentinella said.

      Employing good safety practices during training should be the No. 1 priority for all units training at Fort McCoy, he said.

      Kasten also spoke about Fort McCoy policies, including the new directive prohibiting cellular phone use in government vehicles unless the vehicle is parked safely or the device is used hands-free.

Terry Hoff, DPTMS installation range officer, addresses attendees at the Fort McCoy Range Conference. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      Informational conferences covering Regional Training Site-Medical training and Range Operations issues were held at Fort McCoy Jan. 18.

      Staff Sgt. Dan Castelli and Gunnery Sgt. William Chartrand, representing the Marine Air Control Group-48 of Waukegan, Ill., said the information about Fort McCoy was excellent, well-presented and told them everything about training they needed to know. The unit conducts an NCO course for corporals and also conducts training for unit members who cannot make it to the regular extended-combat training.

      "Fort McCoy has great ranges and facilities to help us conduct our training," Castelli said. "We like to attend this meeting because it gives us the basic regulations, new information and new (offerings) from MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation)."

      Capt. Deborah Bennett of the 865th Combat Support Hospital of Utica, N.Y., said unit members are looking forward to participating in the upcoming Patriot Warrior Exercise.

      Bennett also attended the RTS-Medical Conference and said that briefing helped clarify her unit's role in the mission.

      "It's nice to focus on warrior tasks, and how it improves the quality of our training as a medical unit," Bennett said. "It's not as easy to do this training at home station."

      Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Williams and Master Sgt. Stephen Plew of the 5th Battalion, Personnel Services of Harvey, Ill., said the unit will hold eight extended-combat training increments at Fort McCoy, beginning in April.

      The conference gives the (installation) personnel a chance to review the paperwork necessary to secure training areas and facilities and ask questions, Plew said.

      "If we coordinate beforehand, we won't have to rush to do it," he said.

      Maj. Paul Bernasconi of the 109th Airlift Wing of Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y., said his unit was looking forward to the joint training with the Army and medical units during Global Patriot in July.

Paul Lokotz, an RTS-Medical Training supervisor, answers a question at the RTS-Medical Training Conference. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      Staff Sgt. Steve Pepper of the 32nd Military Police Company of Milwaukee, Wis., said the conference gave him the opportunity to get good information about the unit's upcoming training.

      Pepper also attended the Range Conference, where he was able to learn about the new facilities and said he believed the improvements to the installation ranges will make them more Soldier friendly.

      Master Sgt. Aimee Carrington of Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade (Rear), Camp Douglas, Wis., said the conference allowed her to get good information for the Patriot Warrior exercise in June.

      The unit will be supported by the 264th Engineer Group of Chippewa Falls, Wis. Carrington said the conference gave her a chance to meet with her counterparts to discuss the mission. She also met with personnel from the installation Food Services branch to discuss arranging meals during training.