A team of Soldiers provides 360-degree security outside of a two-story shanty house. Meanwhile, another team lines along the front gate and yells for the occupants to evacuate the building. This was the scene at Leschi Town, after the Soldiers completed an air assault drop to conduct counterinsurgency operations at the simulated Afghan village here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"It was my first time flying in a Black Hawk, and I must admit I was nervous, but yet excited at the same time" Spc. Ronald Williams, an infantryman assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, said.

The training is in preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

"We have maintained a rigorous training schedule in order to ensure that our unit is knowledgeable of all the skills they need to be successful in Afghanistan," Capt. Sean Nolan, C Co. commander, 1-17 Inf., said.

For Spc. James Wright, a medic, this will be his first deployment. During the training mission, he not only performed his required combat lifesaver skills; he also cross-trained learning infantry tactics.

"As a medic, my team is pretty proficient," Wright said. "It was awesome that I got the chance to load an aircraft. It's something I never thought about doing."

While training in Leschi Town, the Soldiers worked on the Army's new method of searching homes, known as "call-outs."

"A call-out is unlike a traditional raid," Nolan said. "It's focused on protecting non-threatening civilians."

Once the call-out team gets the occupants to leave the house, it faces even more challenges than before they left. It must search civilians and detain anyone who becomes a threat.

Williams explained that in this scenario it's especially important to professionally deal with civilians.

"We don't want to be too aggressive; we are here to do business but not to be a threat," Williams said. "We want to work with them."

While observing his sector of security, Williams explained he felt the most challenging portion of the training was operating in an urban environment, which was unlike the open area training he's used to.

"It's more realistic," Williams said. "It shows me that I need to be more aware of my surroundings. The enemy has more ways to sneak an attack."

Counterinsurgency operations often involve Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) to dissolve any threats to the country. ANSF role players fought alongside the Soldiers.

Sergeant 1st Class Thomas Lazzarini knows how important training is with a deployment on the horizon. He's deployed three times to Iraq and looks forward to his first time in Afghanistan.

"I want the Soldiers to really take the training serious and relate it to real-world scenarios," Lazzarini said. "When we get there, it's no time to ask questions. They have to be ready to execute."

Williams stated that he appreciates the rigorous training thus far and understands its importance.

"Most of us need the training and constant drilling so we won't lose focus," Williams said. "For Soldiers like myself who haven't been deployed, it gives us a good foundation."

Lazzarini believes that experience, familiarity and confidence are key factors of a successful mission.

"Understanding multiple scenarios is a good concept," Lazzarini said. "It's good leverage for the mission."

Even though this will be Wright's first deployment he is ready to accomplish his unit's mission.

"We plan to rock it and be as proficient as we can be," said Wright.

Photo:

Staff Sgt. Antwaun J. Parrish, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

A Soldier provides security at a Joint Base Lewis-McChord simulated urban area known as Leschi Town, March 6. Company C, 1-17 Inf. conducted an air assault training mission combined with counterinsurgency operations in preparation for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.