Wisconsin Guard Artillery Soldiers Train in Extreme Weather

FORT McCOY, Wis. - About 200 Soldiers assigned to the Wisconsin National Guard's 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment trained at Fort McCoy Jan. 21-31 to complete individual Soldier tasks and conduct cold-weather operations on M777 and M119 howitzers.

The training reinforced the battalion's readiness to operate artillery systems in extreme cold while maintaining individual proficiency, teamwork and safety in austere conditions.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Kletzien, the battalion's senior enlisted advisor, said the training was designed to mirror elements of previous cold-weather exercises, including Exercise Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Michigan, but on a smaller scale.

"Those were good training opportunities," Kletzien said. "What we wanted to do here was conduct similar training, but at a smaller scale."

Kletzien said just over half of the battalion participated, as many Soldiers were supporting deployments or attending institutional training typically scheduled this time of year.

"Because we were training with a smaller number of troops, we decided to conduct the training at Fort McCoy, and it worked out great," he said.

Army Lt. Col. Rustin Billings, the battalion commander, and Kletzien said the 11-day training event focused on multiple operational objectives, including equipment proficiency, basic Soldier skills and teamwork in extreme cold.

"We find this type of training resonates with Soldiers more than when we make training artificially hard," Kletzien said.

During the exercise, Soldiers set up arctic 10-person tents equipped with heaters to maintain warmth while operating howitzers and during a sling-load training event Jan. 28.

Kletzien said practicing cold-weather techniques and wearing proper cold-weather gear helps ensure Soldiers are prepared to operate in any environment.

In October, Joe Ernst, an instructor with the Cold-Weather Operations Course at Fort McCoy, demonstrated proper use of cold-weather equipment to unit members, helping prepare them for the winter training.

"When Joe came to talk with our unit, he showed us how to use that equipment, and it really helped us prepare for this training," Kletzien said.

Throughout the event, Soldiers trained in snow showers and temperatures at or below zero.

"Our goal was to test the equipment while focusing on individual tasks and training," Kletzien said. "That was accomplished."

Kletzien also said Fort McCoy's location and range options make it an ideal training site for extended combat training, weekend drills and annual training.

"Fort McCoy offers a wide array of firing points for our unit," he said. "That flexibility helps us build realistic training scenarios for our Soldiers."

Planning is already underway for future training in 2027.

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