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 | Aug. 14, 2024

South Carolina Guard Soldiers Train on New Equipment

By Sgt. Flonasia Neals, South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Soldiers assigned to 1st and 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Battalion, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, trained on newly fielded equipment Aug. 9-11 at McCrady Training Center.

The training prepared Soldiers to face the realities of modern warfare by maintaining their combat readiness through familiarization with advanced technological equipment.

Soldiers familiarized themselves with the Soldier Protection System, specifically the improved plate carrier vest and helmet; the Black Hornet Unmanned Aircraft System, a micro drone used to observe a targeted area; and the Laser Target Locator Module.

Although beneficial and key to modern warfare, integrating modern technology has inherent challenges.

“One of the primary objectives we must keep in mind is that our adversaries have access to the same technology,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Eric Lawrence, 218th Regional Training Institute, 4th Battalion chief instructor. “This reality requires the Guard to not only master the use of our equipment but also develop strategies to counter similar technologies if deployed by enemy forces.”

Nevertheless, the South Carolina National Guard is committed to ensuring that new equipment meets the needs of its Soldiers.

“With dual responsibilities at the federal and state levels, the equipment must support a wide range of missions, from combat operations to local missions, like search and rescue or disaster response,” said Lawrence.

With a steadfast commitment to modernization and readiness, the South Carolina National Guard stands ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s battles.

“As these Soldiers gear up for upcoming deployments under Operation Spartan Shield, the focus remains on mastering the modern equipment while maintaining core Soldiering skills,” added U.S. Army Master Sgt. Hugh Moore, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment master gunner.
 

 

 

Related Articles
Sgt. Anthony Amick, 59th Troop Command, was awarded the Medal of Valor for his extraordinary bravery and selfless actions during a devastating multi-car accident on July 1st, 2021. The award recognizes Amick’s quick thinking and courageous response in rescuing multiple civilians trapped in a burning vehicle. The South Carolina National Guard and the state of South Carolina are deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens.
South Carolina Guardsman Awarded for Heroic Rescue
By Maj. Karla Evans, | April 2, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – U.S. Army Sergeant Anthony P. Amick, 59th Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, was awarded the Medal of Valor, the state’s highest military honor, for his extraordinary bravery and selfless...

South Carolina Army National Guard UH-60 Black hawk and  CH-47 Chinook helicopters conduct aerial, water-bucket operations on the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge wildfires in Pickens County, South Carolina March 23, 2025.
South Carolina National Guard Fights Upstate Wildfires
By Maj. Karla Evans, | March 27, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Following a successful fire suppression support mission in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina National Guard aviation units are helping control wildfires in the Upstate.U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company,...

Army Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, 2nd from left, chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits the South Carolina National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, March 12, 2025. Nordhaus met with senior South Carolina Army and Air National Guard leaders and was briefed on the capabilities of the 1st Battalion, 151st Attack Reconnaissance Regiment, a premier Apache helicopter attack battalion.
National Guard Bureau Chief Visits South Carolina Guard
By Maj. Karla Evans, | March 13, 2025
MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. - Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the South Carolina National Guard March 12 to engage with leadership,...