Fort Hood Soldiers team with 344th MI BN Published March 11, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Austin Knox 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 15th Military Intelligence Aerial Exploitation Battalion traveled by convoy and helicopter to test intelligence systems and maintain warrior tasks Feb. 24 through 27. Soldiers from the 15th MI BN (AE) stationed at Fort Hood Texas came here for the unique intelligence resources and the combat simulation course. "The change of environment keeps us from getting complacent," said Army Staff Sgt. Greg Hess, 15th MI BN (AE) NCO of exercise combat operations. "This combat simulation course is about as realistic as you can get while keeping safety in mind. Paintballs do a pretty good job of evoking a realistic combat response." They also worked with Goodfellow Soldiers from the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion to run paintball battle drills on the combat simulation course. Army Staff Sgt. Issac Nagel, 344th MI BN combat course cadre, who played the role of an insurgent and villager for the exercise, said that the training benefits both the 344th MI BN and the 15th MI BN (AE). "It's interesting to see the differences in the training we do," said Nagel. During the first two days of training, the battalions of permanent party and students trained separately, but the two combined into one team to conduct a simulated mission Feb. 26. The exercise provided an opportunity for Nagel and other 344th MI BN cadre to observe their training effectiveness for students and adjust accordingly. Goodfellow's combat simulation course provides occupational training to students on a regular basis, and many have commented on the usefulness and praised the importance of the simulations here. The 15th MI BN are among the many Soldiers to take away important lessons learned through the training. "It was a well-coordinated exercise," said Army 1st Sgt. Jason Payne, 15th MI BN (AE) NCO of exercise combat operations. "We got a ton of support from the 344th."
