Col. Andrew J. Knight, commander of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (17th FAB), said the exercise centred on qualifying 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery at the battalion level – a milestone not achieved in several years. “The primary focus of our training operation was a HIMARS battalion-level qualification for 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery – the first in many years,” he stated.
In addition to the HIMARS qualification, the brigade tested the readiness of its support and headquarters elements. “We also evaluated the training and readiness of the 308th Brigade Support Battalion and the Brigade Headquarters with the help of observers from the 593rd Corps Support Command, 189th Infantry Combined Arms Training Brigade, the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, and the 65th Field Artillery Brigade from the Utah Army National Guard,” added Col. Knight.
The training programme also drew international interest, with the brigade hosting Brigadier Nicholas Wilson, commander of the Australian Army’s 10th Fires Brigade, and his senior enlisted leader, Sergeant Major Anthony Hortle. The visit highlighted growing multinational cooperation and shared learning between U.S. and Australian artillery forces.
Throughout the operation, the brigade successfully demonstrated a range of essential combat capabilities. These included expeditionary deployment, command and control of artillery units, executing massed fires with rocket and missile systems, and managing logistics under simulated battlefield conditions.
Col. Knight emphasised the importance of the exercise in the context of broader U.S. military strategy. “We routinely campaign in the Indo-Pacific with our Partners and Allies through Operations Pathways. Capabilities we built here deter potential adversaries and, if necessary, will win our Nation’s wars,” he said.
The Orchard Combat Training Center is known for its challenging conditions and high-quality training infrastructure. Spanning 173,000 acres, its extensive ranges and diverse terrain provide U.S. Army units with an environment designed to mirror real-world combat zones.
