Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2003 - Army Guard - 287th Army Band trains to fight, perform in tactical environment

Delaware National Guard
287th Army Band trains to fight, perform in tactical environment
Story By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Righos, Readiness NCO/Flute Player, 287th Army Band, Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Dean Dyer and Sgt.1st Class Mary Righos

1st Sgt. James Snyder leads the 287th Army Band during drill band rehearsal in the field.

1st Sgt. James Snyder gives a marksmanship class on the M16A2 Rifle .
The 287th Army Band from the 2nd Battalion, 722nd Troop Command, was in full force this past weekend during the Field Training Exercise (FTX) at River Road in New Castle. The band, which consists of 41 members, took the opportunity during this exercise to conduct training on tasks related to their augmentation mission -- to provide security and force protection if needed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

This training included setting up a perimeter defense by squads, providing gate security, using challenge and password, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) training and basic marksmanship training.

Spc. Becky Carey, a flute player in the band, guards the stacked weapons.

The primary trainers were Staff Sgt. Gary Singer, from Lincoln, Delaware, a trombone player for the band, and Staff Sgt. Don Daley, from Wilmington, the percussion section leader. The band also received excellent training from the 153rd Military Police Company in vehicle search and gate guard duty procedures. The band was set up on a rotating schedule throughout the night to provide post security, which would also be part of their job in the event they were called upon to perform their augmentation role.

In addition to hands-on classes related to their augmentation mission, the band also conducted musical training, which was held in a tent complete with light sets and a generator. This rehearsal was two-fold. It was conducted to see how the band would react in transition from its musical mission to the augmentation mission. Protective masks and weapons were at the ready at all times in case of an attack during rehearsal. The rehearsal was also in preparation for a Newark concert scheduled for next month. Other musical training consisted of marching band rehearsal in preparation for the Newark Memorial Day Parade in May.

In spite of the mud, this exercise was an outstanding experience for the 287th. Morale of the troops remained high throughout the entire weekend. It demonstrated that we are not only musicians but also fine educated soldiers who can fight with the best of them!

The 287th Army Band Stage Band rehearses during the FTX in a tent complete with generator and light sets.

Sgt. Lee Beauchamp practices getting a good sight picture .

Spc. Kenny Brown practices getting a good sight picture.

1st Sgt. James Snyder gives instruction to Spc. Becky Carey.

Carey gets a good sight picture on her M16.

Sgt. Tim Gantzhorn assists in the NBC class.

Sgt. Marin Gemmill, a percussion player in the band, in full Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Level 4.

Staff Sgt. Mike Guise rehearses with the drill band during the FTX.

Sgt. 1st Class Mary Righos rehearses with the band with M16 Rifles in tote and Kevlar helmets.

Sgt. David Halley, a french horn player in the band, assists with setting up the tents.

Staff Sgt. Gary Singer, a trombone player in the band, was the primary trainer for the entire FTX with assistance from Staff Sgt. Don Daley.

Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Snyder (center), Woodwind Group Leader in the band, rehearses with the drill band.

The 287th Army Band Stage Band rehearses during the FTX in a tent complete with generator and light sets.