76th Mobile Brigade takes on Combat Readiness Exercise 26-02

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — More than 4,700 U.S. and allied service members converged at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center July 18 to Aug. 1 to test new capabilities and build lethal combat power during CRX 26-02.

The 15-day training event was designed to test the 76th Mobile Brigade against an opposing force, primarily evaluating the brigade’s proficiency in movement-to-contact and attack operations, preparing the unit for large-scale combat operations, and for its upcoming Joint Readiness Training Center rotation 27-09.

“The primary purpose of CRX is to build war-fighting readiness at echelon while fighting as a Mobile Brigade, employing newly fielded equipment, against a free-thinking opposing force,” said Col. Shawn Eaken, commander of the 76th MBDE.

CRX 26-02 marks only the second rotation under the Army National Guard’s new 15-day model, which replaces the former 21-day Exportable Combat Training Capability exercise model. The updated format is designed to test staff processes, unit combat proficiency, and interoperability across multiple echelons.

Eaken added that the CRX model provides the ability to maneuver battalion and brigade formations, which he said is critical to fighting large-scale combat operations, all while learning and identifying any vulnerabilities the brigade may have before going to JRTC and getting, as he put it, “punched in the face by Geronimo [the JRTC opposing force].”

According to Eaken, for the 76th MBDE, the CRX functioned as a single, cohesive brigade-level event rather than a series of separate training lanes. Maneuver, field artillery, aviation, intelligence, electronic warfare, medical, and sustainment elements operated simultaneously to achieve specific operational goals: exercising command and control in a dispersed environment, synchronizing fires, protecting rear-area lines of communication, and utilizing newly formed multi-function reconnaissance companies.

During the exercise, the 76th MBDE operated under the 38th Infantry Division as its higher command, supported by the 38th Division Sustainment Brigade and the 38th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.

“CRX has not only trained the rotational unit but also provided an opportunity for the 38th Infantry Division to provide command and control,” said Eaken, adding that CRX also allowed sustainment brigades to manage integration and aviation brigades to conduct aerial resupply in congested airspace. “The CRX format enables combined arms training, maneuver, and training as a division.”

The exercise also served as a primary testing ground for Army Transformation in Contact initiatives. The exercise required units to integrate newly fielded technologies into operations in near-real time, testing the brigade’s transition into a more mobile, dispersed, and technologically enabled formation. Soldiers employed new Infantry Squad Vehicles for troop transport, unmanned aircraft systems, counter-UAS capabilities, and electronic warfare equipment.

Col. Benjamin Tooley, executive officer for the 76th MBDE, described the exercise and transformation as a “once-in-a-career opportunity” to apply established doctrine in new ways using new equipment and technology while adapting to rapidly evolving threats.

“It’s been a really unique and interesting opportunity to bring everyone together, get them out in the field and learn how to re-employ and follow doctrinal principles,” said Tooley. “When you look at all the threats around the world, this has been a great opportunity to provide professional growth to the Soldiers and leaders of the brigade.”

Tooley was also thankful for the chance to learn from the multinational partners in attendance who have real-world experience.

“We’re super excited to have them here so we can learn from each other,” said Tooley. “Obviously, they have a lot of experience implementing some of this tech in the real world.”

Multinational military partners participated alongside U.S. forces, bringing real-world experience and different tactical perspectives to the environment. Slovak infantry soldiers conducted combined dismounted maneuver operations with the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment, while Slovak sustainment personnel integrated with the 38th Division Sustainment Brigade. Estonian personnel exchanged mission-planning methods, Saudi Arabian representatives observed the exercise’s scale to inform their local training programs, and Ukrainian forces shared critical tactics related to UAS and counter-UAS operations.

According to Eaken, tactical exchanges with Ukrainian forces were especially beneficial shaping how the brigade now views battlefield survivability. Eaken added that the lessons learned from the exchange forced the brigade to adapt to modern threats by minimizing the size of its command post footprint, operating without the customary field tents, and frequently moving locations to increase survivability.

“The Ukrainians provided a real look at what is survivable, and for all of our improvements, we would still be faced with survivability challenges in a large-scale combat operations environment like Ukraine,” said Eaken. “They provided a firsthand account of what operating under constant observation looks like.”

Additional participating U.S. units included the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the 278th Armored Brigade Combat Team, and Observer Coach/Trainers from First Army. Additionally, the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment acted as the OPFOR for the duration of the event.

The stated end state for CRX 26-02 was for the 76th MBDE to achieve a “Proficient” readiness level across all exercise requirements before their JRTC rotation, turning individual and small- unit proficiency into coordinated brigade combat power. Despite the focus on new technology, Eaken emphasized that foundational soldiering skills remain the critical takeaway.

“The new equipment provides some additional capabilities,” said Eaken, also emphasizing Soldiers must remain proficient with the fundamentals like reading a map and a compass. “We can never move away from the basics of shoot, move, communicate, and medicate,”

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, was on hand to observe the brigade’s training and offered encouraging words to the Soldiers and leaders of the 76th.

“We must use every tool in our toolbox to fight and win in large-scale combat operations, and the CRX is the way we get after it,” said Stubbs. “The CRX is a harsh, dynamic test that builds lethal, combat-ready formations, and the 76th performed phenomenally, especially considering they are in the middle of their historic transformation from an IBCT to a Mobile Brigade. The 76th has definitely set an example for others to follow.”

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