Army Adopts Advanced Technology at Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, Texas — The Army is embracing new technologies to meet the challenges of contemporary warfare.
“Operation Hood Strike” has brought together active duty, Reserve, and National Guard soldiers at Fort Hood for demanding field tests. Canadian military forces also joined in the training exercises.
Colonel Justin Pritchard, commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade, noted the importance of training together. “We’re a full Army, a full Engineer Regiment, and we fight alongside them in wartime. In peacetime, we need to train here,” he explained.
Soldiers were thrust into realistic combat scenarios with the objective of crossing Belton Lake to reach enemy territory.
Engineers constructed a seven-float raft equipped with two ramps and five bays, which is the standard configuration for transporting M1 Abrams tanks, according to Captain Bruce Burgener, commander of the 43rd Multipurpose Bridge Squadron. “If it’s less than that, they won’t move,” he stated, emphasizing the need for maximum processing power for friendly forces.
Burgener mentioned that his unit is gaining a lot of new recruits, which allows more experienced soldiers to guide the less seasoned ones. The training is structured in three phases: crawl, walk, and run. “We’re currently at the walking stage,” he shared, “working toward effective collaboration with our new soldiers.”
As operations continued, members of the Texas National Guard used a Chinook helicopter for reconnaissance, deploying part of a bridge into the water.
Lieutenant Colonel Travis Shahan, commander of the 961st Engineer Battalion, explained the critical role of air assets in dropping heavy loads into challenging areas. “Building a bridge can be tricky, especially when getting all necessary equipment to the water,” he noted.
Before crossing the bridge, troops familiarized themselves with enemy territory thanks to a detailed map prepared in the tactical command center. This resource allows every soldier, from top leaders to frontline infantry, to understand their part in the mission. Major Salem Maud, the battalion executive officer, pointed out the difference between planning in an office versus in the field under real conditions.
“Operation Hood Strike” occurs annually at Fort Hood, but each iteration differs due to the ever-evolving nature of warfare. Colonel Adam Rasmussen, commander of the 420th Engineer Brigade, emphasized that, while the Army seeks to keep soldiers safe, war remains deeply human. “We need innovative soldiers,” he asserted. “Experiencing the realities of conflict enhances understanding of the need for automated and AI systems to assist humans.”
In recruiting efforts, the Army aims to enlist 60,500 active-duty soldiers by 2025. Notably, they exceeded this goal with 62,050 recruits. Meanwhile, the Army Reserve aimed for 14,320 but fell short, achieving only 12,426 recruits.
Rasmussen noted the importance of challenging training to recruit and retain soldiers. “They might not love the experience in the moment, but they often realize they’ve done something remarkable,” he remarked.
Pritchard added, “They signed up for this. It motivates them to stay in military service and contribute to the country.”
While participants in “Operation Hood Strike” are not making direct deployment preparations, the value of training new soldiers is underscored. “Every hour these soldiers spend on the battlefield makes them more capable,” Rasmussen said.
