Nevada Guard, international partners wrap up Exercise Cartwheel 2023 in South Pacific
Exercise Cartwheel 2023, the highly-anticipated training mission featuring multiple military partners from around the globe, concluded September 29 at Nausori Highlands Training Area in Fiji. Troops from multiple allied partners, including the U.S. military’s Nevada National Guard, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom joined the host-nation Republic of Fiji in the two-week-long training mission.
Exercise
Cartwheel 2023 aimed to provide realistic training opportunities in various
climes, terrains, and environments. The inclusion of several countries in the
exercise ensured forces met a high level of cooperative readiness for the
exercise’s unified land operations. International training opportunities have
proven to both enhance the operational capabilities of joint forces and as well as
promote the sharing of mutually-beneficial information among the forces and the
strengthening of ties between partner nations.
Maj. Gen.
Reginald Neal, the USARPAC Deputy Commanding General, said exercises such as
Cartwheel 2023 are critical in preparing for a joint response to a contingency
in the South Pacific should the need arise.
The
relationships formed and the shared experiences are what will emerge as the top
outcomes from this exercise,” Neal said. “I’m also pleased with the quality of
our officers and young NCOs who participated this year -- I’m excited about
what they may add to the future of Oceania.”
Nevada Army
Guard Land Component Commander Brig. Gen. Troy Armstrong traveled to Fiji to
assess the milestone cooperative event.
The weeks
of the Cartwheel mission proved to be extraordinary and were marked by
significant advancements among the partner nations – and all of it occurred in
an unforgettable training area,” Armstrong said.
Occurring
in late September, Exercise Cartwheel proved to be one of the culminating
events prioritized by the U.S. Army Pacific in Fiscal Year 2023. With oversight
from USARPAC, Exercise Cartwheel included the deployment of a broad spectrum of
assets and resources to the South Pacific, including personnel and equipment to
conduct security cooperation exercises with the United States allied and
partner militaries with close ties to the region.
During the Intensive Urban Warfare Training
portion of the exercise, participants from disparate nations shared their
knowledge and expertise in effective breaching and entry procedures, obstacle
clearance, and minefield-clearing tactics.
A live fire
exercise allowed Soldiers to engage in joint operations and practice squad
maneuvers. The Nevada Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry
Soldiers led the training and demonstrated their shoot, move, and communicate
skills.
Soldiers
from the Nevada Army National Guard’s 609th Engineers shared their expertise in
rappelling with troops from participating nations. They also provided valuable
information on Personnel Protective Equipment, safety measures, and the proper
use of knots for setting up rappelling ropes. Also from the Nevada Guard, the
106th Public Affairs Detachment trained and provided coverage of the entire
exercise.
"One
of our top priorities while planning Exercise Cartwheel 2023 was ensuring each
nation had the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and approaches to
various situations,” said 1st Lt. Courtney McKimmey, a Nevada Army National
Guard cavalry scout platoon leader, who served as the project officer for the
exercise. “It was rewarding to see those exchanges happening at the individual
soldier and squad levels as we increased our overall collective capabilities."
Cavalry Combat Media Spc. Evie Morris said it was worthwhile to travel thousands of
miles to Fiji for the training opportunity.
This
mission was exceptional as combined the cumulative skills and knowledge of
these allied nations,” Morris said. “It allowed us to acquaint ourselves with
other military organizations and immerse in diverse cultures.”
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