Army’s Mountain Skills Training Concludes with Mini Biathlon

By Tactical-Life

The following is a release from Spc. Avery Cunningham and the U.S. Army:

Gliding quickly across the snow, a skier pushes off with his poles, tossing snow behind him. The skier is followed by another and then another; all of them wear Army uniforms.

The skiers, Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), participated in snow mobility training at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Feb. 6, as part of the unit’s focus on mountain skills training.

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“The focus for the entire winter was to return Alpha Company to some of the mountain roots that it prides itself on,” said 1st Sgt. Daniel Westover, the company 1st sergeant for Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain).

The training is substantially different from other training that most infantry units perform on a regular basis.

“It expands into a very specialized skill set,” said Spc. John Nicastro, an infantryman and a new transfer to the unit. “You’re not going to go into any other line infantry company and going to know how to do ice climbing and cross-country skiing in a combat environment.”

As part of the mountaineering focus, the company …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life