An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 6, 2023

Washington Guard Infantry Unit Completes Annual Training

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - After a year in Poland, supporting the State Partnership Program in the Kingdom of Thailand and responding to multiple state missions, the Guard members from 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, could have gone easy this annual training.

However, that isn’t the “Dark Rifle” way.

“We planned and executed a comprehensive annual training, including a full-scale command post exercise (CPX), starting with a full military decision-making process, then rapid decision-making synchronization process, two tactical operating center (TOC) jumps, TOC defensive battle drills, air insertion, night driving and mortar ranges,” said Lt. Col. Krystian Derda, commander of 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment. “It has been challenging but fun.”

While much of the battalion conducted annual training during March’s Cobra Gold 23 in Thailand, the rest of the battalion took to the Yakima Training Center to take part in “Rifle Wrath 23,” an externally evaluated CPX in a simulated force-on-force fight.

“The battalion-size opposing force was free thinking and free to win, with its own command structure,” said Maj. Tom Haydock, executive officer for 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment. “It was by far the best CPX I’ve participated in.”

The simulation was fluid, requiring the battalion staff to be in “run” mode from the minute they started. The exercise involved tracking the fight while receiving battle updates from subordinate command posts. The staff had to react with fire and maneuver to the enemy as troops transitioned from movement to contact to an attack on enemy locations.

“We wanted to push the staff and see what we were capable of. We needed to test our battle drills and processes to ensure that everyone responded to a free-thinking OPFOR. Everyone really seemed to enjoy the challenge,” said Derda.

While much of the annual training was focused on the CPX, the Dark Rifles also took part in mortar live fire using the dismounted 81 mm systems and the 120 mm Stryker MCV platforms. Lastly, the Guard members took part in an air insertion at Camp Seven Mile near Spokane thanks to the Guard members from 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation.

“I hope that our Soldiers enjoyed this annual training. We tried to make every training event challenging and bring something different each time,” said Derda. “We continue to challenge our Soldiers but also remind them that the Guard is a great place if you take the time to explore the opportunities provided.“

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces service members pose for a group photo during the Bersama Warrior 25 opening ceremony at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 17, 2025. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. This year marks the 11th iteration of the exercise, and the first time MRF-D is participating, enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and improving combined joint interoperability. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific.
Washington, Malaysia Strengthen Ties at Bersama Warrior 2025
By Maj. Jeremy Warner, | June 18, 2025
KUANTAN, Malaysia - The 11th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began here with an opening ceremony June 17 with keynote addresses from Malaysian Lt. Gen. Dato’ Zahani Bin Hj Zainal Abidin and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ake...

Chief Warrant Officer Four Bill Elliott, Tribal Liaison with the Washington Military Department, Sgt. Isaiah Salgado, Sgt. 1st Class Scott Salmon, Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program members pose for a photo with Washington Attorney General Nick Brown at Tribal Opioid/Fentanyl Summit, May 22, 2025 at the Cowlitz Tribe’s reservation in Ridgefield, Wash.
Washington Guard’s CounterDrug Program Supports Tribes
By Joseph Siemandel, | June 10, 2025
RIDGEFIELD, Wash. - With an opioid and fentanyl crisis devastating tribal communities across the state, the Washington National Guard’s CounterDrug Program (WA CDP) joined forces with tribal leaders, law enforcement and...

U.S. Air Force Capt. Isaac Tian, a cyber operations officer with the 262nd Cyber Operations Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, analyzes data for evidence of adversary indicators of compromise on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 6, 2025. Tian is among the first Air National Guard members to be selected under a newly established direct commission program for cyber professionals.
Washington Airman Selected for Direct Commission in Cyber
By Airman 1st Class Jordaan Kvale, | May 30, 2025
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington – Capt. Isaac Tian, a cyber operations officer with the 262nd Cyber Operations Squadron, is among the first Air National Guard members selected under a newly established direct commission...