Soldiers of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment training at "The Box"

Soldiers of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, climb a hill in the early morning hours of July 25, 2020, on a mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. The Soldiers started their mission under the cover of night in an effort to surprise the opposing force known as Blackhorse. Blackhorse Soldiers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Blackhorse, are dedicated to testing units in “The Box.”

Brigade Soldiers are taking part in one of the U.S. Army's most challenging land force training exercises and have prepared for entering “The Box” for over a year, including during their 2019 annual training at Fort Hood, Texas, where they completed an eXportable Combat Training Center exercise.

The 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, is a Minnesota Army National Guard battalion headquartered in Brainerd. The overall unit mission is to provide heavy armor and mechanized infantry ground combat power to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.

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1/6: Soldiers of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, look for the opposing force known as Blackhorse during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.

2/6: Soldiers of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, look for the opposing force known as Blackhorse during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.

3/6: A Soldier operates a .50-caliber machine gun out of an M133 Armored Personnel Carrier during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.

4/6: 2nd Lt. Justin Brickman, a platoon leader with C Co., 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, leads a platoon of infantryman during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.

5/6: Sgt. Brennon Soucek, Sgt. Matthew Klimek and Spc. Anthony Becker (left to right: ), all infantrymen with 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, pose after gaining control of a hill just outside of the city of Razish during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.

6/6: Infantryman of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, prepare to begin clearing buildings during an early morning mission to gain control of the occupied city of Razish during a decisive-action training exercise in the desert environment of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, on July 25, 2020.