The Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Phoenix Battalion said April 18 it conducted urban operations training at the 9th Division’s urban combat training area April 13–17.
The exercise focused on sharpening close-quarters battle (CQB) skills while maintaining readiness to carry out combat missions in both wartime and peacetime.
Some 170 personnel, including the battalion commander, participated. Training emphasized individual CQB proficiency, squad- and company-level cohesion, small-unit command and control, and adapting to complex modern battlefields.
Day 1 featured live-fire demonstrations and training-aid displays. Day 2 delivered instructor-led CQB instruction and squad- and platoon-level drills. Days 3 and 4 centered on company-level opposed-force exercises.
Wearing MILES equipment, soldiers ran opposed-force scenarios across varied conditions to practice vehicle dismounts, building entry and room clearing, obstacle breaching, and suppressing enemy forces—skills essential to urban combat—while rehearsing standard operating procedures for urban operations.
Exercises also injected simulated CBRN threats and combat casualties to incorporate Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training. Battalion and subordinate commanders issued attack and defense orders in response to evolving scenarios, sharpening their combat command and control.
The unit conducted night training as well, developing small-unit night-fighting skills, improving proficiency with surveillance equipment, and conducting internal after-action reviews to strengthen performance in constrained and complex terrain.
These efforts helped soldiers build the ability to execute missions and sustain combat effectiveness in any environment, day or night.
The battalion also reinforced basic fitness by conducting tactical marches in full gear when moving to the training area on day 1 and returning to base on day 5.
Leaders prepared for the exercise three weeks in advance, conducting night surveillance drills and rules-of-engagement briefings. Prior to live training they ran hazard-prediction instruction, assigned squad-level safety controllers, and coordinated with relevant agencies on fire-prevention measures to ensure troop safety.
Capt. Kim Tae-min, commander of the Phoenix Battalion’s 3rd Company, said, “Modern warfare increasingly takes place in urban and confined spaces and presents complex threats. We prioritized improving individual combat skills, squad-level tactics and leaders’ situational judgment. Going forward, we will continue to support the 2nd Armored Brigade as it expands its operational reach across time and space and strengthens its combat power.”
