NC Guard strengthens readiness in Operation Carolina Surge

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade tested their ability to command and synchronize aviation operations in a contested environment during Operation Carolina Surge, a large-scale combat operations exercise held May 30-June 14 during the brigade's annual training.

The notional exercise brought together aviation, intelligence, sustainment, fires and maneuver operations in a realistic scenario modeled on North Carolina terrain, North Carolina National Guard units and operational challenges. The training was designed to strengthen the brigade's readiness for its federal warfighting mission while reinforcing skills that also support the Guard's state emergency response mission.

"Large scale combat operations training is essential to ensuring the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade remains ready to fight and win in a complex and contested operational environment," said U.S. Army Col. Daniel McAuliffe, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade commander.

Unlike previous command post exercises, planners developed a scenario that integrated North Carolina National Guard major subordinate commands. To create a more realistic training environment, they incorporated specific geographic locations and previously used training missions.

"The scenario we developed was imperative for demonstrating the interconnected nature of all warfighting functions within an aviation command post," said U.S. Army Maj. William Harvey, brigade S3 operations officer. "While the enemy threats were notional, the airfields, objectives and friendly forces were as real as possible," Harvey said. "Forcing intelligence to track real world terrain constraints while sustainment planned logistics for actual units on the ground completely changed how our warfighting functions synchronized."

Throughout the exercise, Soldiers operated in a challenging, high-tempo environment. Information and communications were intentionally degraded to replicate modern battlefield conditions and force staff sections to adapt.

"The staff couldn't just rely on standard operating procedures," Harvey said. "They had to look at the actual capabilities existing within our formation and figure out how to employ them differently to overcome communication blackouts."

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marco Calamaco, battle captain for Operation Carolina Surge, said the brigade relied on established battle rhythm processes to maintain situational awareness across the battlefield.

"The synchronization of the warfighting functions in a high operational tempo environment was managed through the daily battle rhythm, shift change and the battle update brief," Calamaco said.

"Once a threat was assessed to have the ability to impact the mission, the unit was deployed to counter it, allowing freedom of movement for ground forces."

The exercise allowed Soldiers to practice mission command, refine staff processes and work through realistic challenges tied to terrain, communications and coordination across multiple warfighting functions. Lessons learned during the exercise will help the brigade improve readiness for future missions at home and abroad.

"The same mission command principles and decision-making skills developed during LSCO training directly enhance our ability to support Domestic Operations," McAuliffe said. "This training strengthens our readiness for both our federal warfighting mission and our state emergency response mission."