Soldiers assigned to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, demonstrated their ability to rapidly deploy in a moment notice by conducting a joint amphibian training exercise with the Navy and the Marines on May 21 at Bellows Air Force Station in Waimanalo, Hawaii.

The joint amphibian exercise, Culebra Koa 2015, was designed to demonstrate the Warrior Brigade capabilities and validate the unit's readiness to rapidly deploy Soldiers in the Pacific's area of responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance and or combat operations.

"I believe this is first time the Army has participated in joint amphibian training with the Navy and Marines since World War II," said Capt. Winfield Swanton, from Bangor, Maine, the commanding officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt. "By conducting this type of training it demonstrates the Army's ability to deploy troops and their equipment using different platforms in-support-of the unit's mission."

According to Swanton, this realistic training showcases the brigade's ability to response rapidly to provide assistants in a moment noticed. "We are able to demonstrate that the Army is more than capable conducting sea basing operations. This training provides our troops with experience since normally this isn't offered in our doctrine," he said. "Our troops have the opportunity to work with different branches of service to validate our unit readiness and train on equipment this isn't normally available to them."

By thinking outside the box and conducting realistic and challenging training 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt. is able to meet the brigade commander intent by maximize its training to ensure its readiness is maintained.

"This is a once in a lifetime training opportunity," said Sgt. 1st Class Sean Green, a signal support system specialist assigned to HHT, 2-14th Cav. Regt. "This is something this is normally and only conducted by the Marines and the Navy; however, we get the chance to gain knowledge and experience of different means of transporting equipment throughout Pacific."

By training alongside of the Navy and Marines, the Cavalry were able learned the capabilities of the different vessels. "We loaded M1126 Strykers and humvees on the Navy's Joint High Speed Vessel and the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)," Green stated. "Being part of CRF, it's imperative that we learn how different branches of service operate when it comes to accomplishing this mission." The 2nd SBCT is committed to be being a vital and ready fighting force by conducting realistic and challenging training that provides leaders and Soldiers hands-on experience as they continues to prepare for the CRF mission.