Cavalry Scouts train on Urban Operations

Photo By Staff Sgt. Coltin Heller | Upon taking fire from opposing forces during a feild training exercise, cavalry scout soldiers move through the town on May 19 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.  

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

05.19.2010

Story by Spc. Coltin Heller 

109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Constant training is what allows soldiers to have that certain edge, to allow them to handle almost any situation when in a hostile environment. The quality of training is key, as the Cavalry Scouts who trained at the Military Operations on Urban Terrain site here today will attest.

Cavalry Scouts from all over the country came here for two weeks to train, familiarizing themselves with the various tactics and weapon systems they use.

"We do a little bit of everything," says Sgt. Stephen Lahnen from the 2/101st Cavalry, New York Army National Guard. "Anything from building and room clearing, cordon and searches, setting up observation points and reconnaissance."

The culminating event of the training was a cache of weapons the soldiers had discovered in a town. The soldiers rolled in to the town in Humvees (HMMWV) taking overlapping sectors to provide maximum cover. After over-watch was established, the soldiers dismounted and entered the building to detonate the weapons. As the soldiers exited, they came under fire from other soldiers taking the role of opposition forces scattered throughout the town. Quickly and effectively, the cavalry mounted an offensive, using blank rounds, taking down the OPFOR with little loss to their own forces.

"This type of training shows the soldiers what the enemy is capable of," said Sgt. Donald Hinton. Hinton, who is part of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 131st Transportation Company, works primarily as OPFOR supporting soldiers training in the field. "It's some of the best training around."

For Cpl. Ray Novak, an Atlanta native from the 3/108th Cavalry, Georgia Army National Guard, this was his first time here. "It was a lot more than I had expected," said Novak. "The facility was brand new. There was no junk lying around or anything run down."

Spc. Jonathan Torres, also an OPFOR soldier from the 228th Base Support Battalion, PAARNG, is impressed with the quality of the facilities. " Way better," said Torres comparing the town to the old connex ranges. "There are actual buildings with doors and stairs, and all the buildings are furnished, adding to the realism."

After the completion of the exercise the soldiers can then review any mistakes and improve upon them for future missions thanks to multiple video cameras installed around the town complex.

"It gives them the opportunity to see their training from an instructors point of view," said Hinton referring to the soldiers in training.

"This is the best MOUT site I've ever been to," said Novak, adjusting the smoking M4 rifle on his shoulder. "Very real."

"It not only shows the soldiers what they did, but to always be aware of their surroundings," said Hinton.

With the quality of Army training constantly improving, the soldiers will be ever more prepared to handle the fluid situations they will find themselves in when out on missions when they deploy overseas.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2010
• Date Posted: 05.22.2010 11:22
• Story ID: 50098
• Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US