The Idaho National Guard’s 1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment has arrived at the Sahara desert of Morocco, Africa and the initial training phase is under way. The initial training is in preparation for an overall joint exercise in the following week and provides annual crew certification with the M109A6 Howitzers for the citizen-Soldiers. During the exercise, the artillery regiment’s role is to provide ground support as well as air support with combined arms live-fire working along side several other states and the Moroccan forces in an overall joint exercise mission here at the Sahara desert. “One goal of the National Defense Strategy is to have good international relations and partnerships,” said Maj. Ryan Batt, operations officer for the 148th Field Artillery Regiment. "Building multi-national relationships, increasing their tactical proficiency and understanding how to work together ultimately gives less work for our military and our partners globally, and helps...