JULY 24, 2024 — As night fell on the Joint Readiness Training Center July 20, 2024, Task Force Guardian — comprised of Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment — marked a milestone for the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team; initiating force-on-force training with their first encounter against the formidable Geronimo opposition force.
Under the command of Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, Task Force Guardian led the 41st IBCT’s entry into “the box,” JRTC’s intensive training area.
This engagement signaled the start of a two-week crucible to test and enhance the brigade’s readiness for large-scale combat.
“Our scouts first engaged a six-man dismounted team,” said 1st Sgt. Andrew Burke. “We thought it was over, but then we found ourselves back in contact. The opposition force had reconstituted and re-engaged, leading to a full-fledged small arms firefight.”
The night unfolded with complex scenarios, including simulated casualties and a surprise infiltration, underscoring Geronimo force’s unpredictable nature and the challenges ahead for the 41st IBCT.
”TF Guardian Soldiers were hit hard on our first night, and the battle was a tough one,” Rapp said. “We were able to repel a determined enemy and got our first real taste of the fight ahead. I couldn’t be more proud of how our Soldiers responded as a task force and how we showed the enemy that TF Guardian is trained, tough and ready to fight.”
This initial clash with the Geronimo force represented more than just a training exercise; it marked the 41st IBCT’s transition into a new era of preparation for large-scale combat.
The lessons learned from Task Force Guardian’s first night will inform the brigade’s strategy as it progresses through the JRTC rotation.
The intensive training at JRTC improves readiness and prepares Task Force elements for their upcoming overseas deployments to U.N. missions in Kosovo and the Sinai Peninsula.
These peacekeeping operations will require the adaptability, resilience and tactical proficiency that JRTC instills.
As they face the simulated challenges presented by the Geronimo force, the Soldiers of the 41st IBCT are not just training for hypothetical scenarios — they are actively preparing for the vital roles they will soon play in maintaining international peace and security in the Balkans and the Middle East.
By Maj. Wayne Clyne
Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office