In response to a global crisis or conflict, an Army Corps headquarters must maintain the ability to synchronize joint land-force activities amid persistent engagement and unforeseen circumstances. Master Sgt. Tanya Lumbard reports.
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U.S. 1st Corps deploys four Strykers and crews to Guam via 62nd Airlift Wing’s C-17 aircraft, Nov. 3, testing a new early entry command post concept and demonstrating a joint capability to respond to various situations in the Pacific. (Picture source: Spc. Justin Leva)

To enhance effectiveness while testing emerging capabilities, America’s 1st Corps experimented a new early entry command post concept — outfitting their first-in command and control element with Stryker vehicles, which were expeditiously deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., to Guam, on short notice, Nov. 3. “Readiness is essential for America’s First Corps,” said Brig. Gen. Cayle Oberwarth, I Corps Deputy Commanding General for Operations. “This exercise clearly demonstrates a joint capability between I Corps and the U.S. Air Force that allows the Joint Force to deploy a Corps-level command and control element, quickly, to respond to various situations anywhere in the Pacific.”

1st Corps’ training exercise, Operation Agile Courage, partnered with 62nd Airlift Wing’s agile combat employment exercise, Rainier War. The sister service and joint home-station organization transported four I Corps Strykers and approximately 30 Soldiers west of the International Date Line. "These forward command and control vehicles are designed to operate in austere environments and can quickly deploy out of any staging base, especially Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the largest rapid deployment base on the west coast,” said Oberwarth. “We tested our command post functions and capability to maintain communication in route, and we plan to continue testing our ability to dynamically employ our forces in support of our regional alliances across multiple domains.”

Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero; Maj. Gen. (GU) Esther Aguigui, Adjutant General, Guam National Guard; and Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marinas Commander, were on hand to greet the I Corps EECP-Stryker element as they arrived at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport via C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. “Our partnerships here are strong and critical to our effectiveness,” said Oberwarth. “We are grateful to our partners here in Guam, as well as our joint partners with the 62nd Airlift Wing. Exercises like these deepen interoperability and allow us to remain persistent, dynamic, and forward in the Pacific.”