Sgt. Omar Alston, a squad leader attached to D Company,

Sgt. Omar Alston, a squad leader attached to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, directs members of his team while on an urban assault course during Rising Thunder 19 at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington, Sept. 5.
“I love this type of training because it's action,” Alston said. “I can sit at a desk all day but I love to be out there in the field in the nitty gritty getting down and dirty with my guys. I love this!”
Alston has been leading his team through numerous drills and is grateful for the opportunity to train with other Soldiers from the Illinois Guard as well as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The Rockford, Illinois, native also said this training helps him and his Soldiers know how, where, and when to react to different situations.
Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and is part of Pacific Pathways 19-3. RT19 is a USARPAC-sponsored capstone event. U.S. Army Units participating include the 7th Infantry Division and the Illinois Army National Guard's 108th Sustainment Brigade and 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The exercise consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live-fire exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Camacho Roberts) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Camacho Roberts)