76th Mobile Brigade takes on Combat Readiness Exercise 26

DVIDS – News – 76th Mobile Brigade takes on Combat Readiness Exercise 26-02

76th Mobile Brigade takes on Combat Readiness Exercise 26-02

UNITED STATES

08.18.2026

National Guard Bureau

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — More than 4,700 U.S. and allied service members converged at
Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center July 18 to Aug. 1 to test new
capabilities and build lethal combat power during CRX 26-02

The 15-day training event was designed to test the 76th Mobile Brigade against an opposing
force, primarily evaluating the brigade’s proficiency in movement-to-contact and attack
operations, preparing the unit for large-scale combat operations, and for its upcoming Joint
Readiness Training Center rotation 27-09

“The primary purpose of CRX is to build war-fighting readiness at echelon while fighting as a
Mobile Brigade, employing newly fielded equipment, against a free-thinking opposing force,”
said Col. Shawn Eaken, commander of the 76th MBDE

CRX 26-02 marks only the second rotation under the Army National Guard’s new 15-day model,
which replaces the former 21-day Exportable Combat Training Capability exercise model. The
updated format is designed to test staff processes, unit combat proficiency, and interoperability
across multiple echelons

Eaken added that the CRX model provides the ability to maneuver battalion and brigade
formations, which he said is critical to fighting large-scale combat operations, all while learning
and identifying any vulnerabilities the brigade may have before going to JRTC and getting, as he
put it, “punched in the face by Geronimo [the JRTC opposing force].”

According to Eaken, for the 76th MBDE, the CRX functioned as a single, cohesive brigade-level
event rather than a series of separate training lanes. Maneuver, field artillery, aviation,
intelligence, electronic warfare, medical, and sustainment elements operated simultaneously to
achieve specific operational goals: exercising command and control in a dispersed environment,
synchronizing fires, protecting rear-area lines of communication, and utilizing newly formed
multi-function reconnaissance companies.

During the exercise, the 76th MBDE operated under the 38th Infantry Division as its higher
command, supported by the 38th Division Sustainment Brigade and the 38th Expeditionary
Combat A

“CRX has not only trained the rotational unit but also provided an opportunity for the 38th
Infantry Division to provide command and control,” said Eaken, adding that CRX also allowed
sustainment brigades to manage integration and ace. “The CRX format enables combined arms training, maneuver, and training
as a division.”

The exercise also served as a primary testing ground for Army Transformation in Contact
initiatives. The exercise required units to integrate newly fielded technologies into operations in
near-real time, testing the brigade’s transition into a more mobile, dispersed, and technologically
enabled formation. Soldiers employed new Infantry Squad Vehicles for troop transport,
unmanned aircraft systems, counter-UAS capabilities, and electronic warfare equipment

Col. Benjamin Tooley, executive officer for the 76th MBDE, described the exercise and
transformation as a “once-in-a-career opportunity” to apply established doctrine in new ways
using new equipment and technology while adapting to rapidly evolving threats

“It’s been a really unique and interesting opportunity to bring everyone together, get them out in
the field and learn how to re-employ and follow doctrinal principles,” said Tooley. “When you
look at all the threats around the world, this has been a great opportunity to provide professional
growth to the Soldiers and leaders of the brigade.”

Tooley was also thankful for the chance to learn from the multinational partners in attendance
who have real-world experience

“We’re super excited to have them here so we can learn from each other,” said Tooley. “Obviously, they have a lot of experience implementing some of this tech in the real world.”

Multinational military partners participated alongside U.S. forces, bringing real-world experience
and different tactical perspectives to the environment. Slovak infantry soldiers conducted
combined dismounted maneuver operations with the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment,
while Slovak sustainment personnel integrated with the 38th Division Sustainment Brigade.
Estonian personnel exchanged mission-planning methods, Saudi Arabian representatives
observed the exercise’s scale to inform their local training programs, and Ukrainian forces shared
critical tactics related to UAS and counter-UAS operations.

According to Eaken, tactical exchanges with Ukrainian forces were especially beneficial shaping
how the brigade now views battlefield survivability. Eaken added that the lessons learned from
the exchange forced the brigade to adapt to modern threats by minimizing the size of its
command post footprint, operating without the customary field tents, and frequently moving
locations to increase survivability

“The Ukrainians provided a real look at what is survivable, and for all of our improvements, we
would still be faced with survivability challenges in a large-scale combat operations environment
like Ukraine,” said Eaken. “They provided a firsthand account of what operating under constant
observation looks like.”

Additional participating U.S. units included the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the 278th
Armored Brigade Combat Team, and Observer Coach/Trainers from First Army. Additionally,
the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment acted as the OPFOR for the duration of the event

The stated end state for CRX 26-02 was for the 76th MBDE to achieve a “Proficient” readiness
level across all exercise requirements before their JRTC rotation, turning individual and small-
unit proficiency into coordinated brigade combat power. Despite the focus on new technology,
Eaken emphasized that foundational soldiering skills remain the critical takeaway

“The new equipment provides some additional capabilities,” said Eaken, also emphasizing
Soldiers must remain proficient with the fundamentals like reading a map and a compass. “We
can never move away from the basics of shoot, move, communicate, and medicate,”

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, was on hand to observe the brigade’s
training and offered encouraging words to the Soldiers and leaders of the 76th

“We must use every tool in our toolbox to fight and win in large-scale combat operations, and the
CRX is the way we get after it,” said Stubbs. “The CRX is a harsh, dynamic test that builds
lethal, combat-ready formations, and the 76th performed phenomenally, especially considering
they are in the middle of their historic transformation from an IBCT to a Mobile Brigade. The
76th has definitely set an example for others to follow.”

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