A Bradley Fighting Vehicle from the Gulf War era. (Photo from Wikipedia)
FORT RILEY, Kan. (AP) — A 1st Infantry Division brigade will be conducting a live-fire training exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Africa. Soldiers with the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team will be conducting a mock assault exercise today (THUR) on the training grounds at Fort Riley. The soldiers will be using newly issued models of Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks during the exercise. The training will combine the use of ground forces and maneuver equipment from the 4,000-soldier brigade. The 2013 mission to Africa is the first of any Army unit as part of regionally aligned forces. The soldiers will advise, train and assist soldiers from African nations. Fort Riley is home to more than 18,000 soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division.