Yakima Training Center A Busy Place This Month

Thousands of soldiers will be training at the Yakima Training Center starting Thursday. The Soldiers from 22 units across the U.S Army, National Guard and Reserve components will conduct Exercise Bayonet Focus 17-03 June 15 - 29TH, at the Yakima Training Center. The training is to prepare Soldiers and leaders for what the Army calls the rigors of sustained land combat.

The purpose of the exercise is to develop and certify a Stryker Brigade Combat Team for upcoming National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif., which will take place later this year.
According to a news release from the U.S. Army. "The training will include: force-on-force engagements using blank ammo and simulation ordinance; Soldiers acting as role-players simulating multiple roles such as civilians, detainees, and reporters; live-fire training with small arms, vehicle-mounted weapons and artillery."

Army officials say this will be the largest exercise the 7th Infantry Division has conducted since its reactivation at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2012.