Camp Ripley: Red Bull infantrymen prepare for deployment

CAMP RIPLEY-Minnesota National Guard soldiers of the 2nd Battalion-135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division spent June 17-30 at Camp Ripley.

The soldiers of 2-135 Infantry taking part in annual training in preparation for the battalion's upcoming deployment.

"Our soldiers are well trained, experienced and ready when called upon," said Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jon Ostercamp, during an interview earlier this spring.

Since receiving the deployment order the officers and staff of 2-135 Infantry have been busy building plans for training, ensuring proper qualifications are met and preparing their families for the separation.

While at Camp Ripley, soldiers of the battalion conducted day and night live fire exercises with individual and crew-served weapons. Firing several qualification tables as well as familiarization exercises increasing their awareness of tactical situations in addition to the support requirements for the forward units.

"We need to be a fulling functional and if necessary, a self-supporting unit," said 1st Lt. Nick Cappola, battalion public affairs officer.

The battalion mortar platoon fired its 120-millimeter mortars in support of their units calling coordinated illumination missions. At night, illumination rounds are fired to light up the battlefield, allowing forward units the availability of easier field of view.

For forward observers, they use the illumination to identify targets and call for high explosive mortar round or heavier field artillery to engage those targets with indirect fire. The mortar platoon coordinates these fires so that hostile targets are engaged effectively with limited exposure to friendly units.

Nearly 400 Soldiers from the Minnesota Army National Guard's Mankato-based 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment will deploy for a nine-month peacekeeping mission to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt in support of the Multi-National Force and Observers.

The mission of the nearly 2,000-strong Multi-National Force and Observers is to enforce the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Divided into four zones, the Sinai Peninsula is host to 12 nations in support of the MFO.

During their annual training period 2-135 Infantry has conducted Sling-loading with Army helicopters, riot control and force protection as well as warrior tasks training on Camp Ripley.

The southern Minnesota units will mobilize in July and depart for pre-deployment training at Fort Bliss, Texas. They will begin their mission in Egypt by the end of the summer.

Departure ceremonies will be held in each of these communities in early July. Once details are finalized, family members, media and the public will be invited to attend those events.

1/3: 

2/3: Soldiers of B Co. 2nd Battalion - 135th Infantry Regiment conduct night fire training with the M2 .50 caliber maching Gun on Camp Ripley June 18, 2016.

3/3: Soldiers of B Co. 2nd Battalion - 135th Infantry Regiment fire day and night weapons qualification on the M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun June 18, 2016 on Camp Ripley.