Photo By Sgt. Sara Yoke | Soldiers interact with distinguished visitors during the Technical Support and...... read more read more
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FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Spc. Ubaldo Lendof spoke candidly during the after action review, offering both his criticism and praise of the 3-D Video Enhancer, just one of the technologies he trained on and assessed during the Technical Support and Operational Analysis activity conducted at Fort A.P Hill, Va., April 29 through May 3. The young developer of the technology listened attentively.
Lendof and other soldiers from the West Virginia Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) provided valuable feedback based on their military experience to representatives from multiple technologies during TSOA.
TSOA is an innovative science and technology event that encourages further development and collaboration of deployable technologies that support defense force protection in forward operating bases of less than 300 total personnel.
Because developers rely on the feedback and assessment of the their technologies, warfighters are the driving force behind the success of the analysis event.
“This is a really powerful event,” Lendof, an intelligence analyst from Charleston, W.Va., said. “My feedback is valued, and there’s a good chance I could be using a version of this equipment in the future. Some of it is truly useful. For example, the Video Enhancer lets you drive with actual depth perception while just looking through a screen. You can tell if the road drops off. You can’t do that with normal night vision goggles. ”
TSOA, which began in 2009 by the Office of Secretary of Defense, occurs quarterly, and helps reveal system vulnerabilities and limitations and assists in the development of new science and technology initiatives. Between 20 to 30 percent of technology representatives return to TSOA each time, bringing a newer version of their product to undergo further assessment.
“Our team was able to get trained on new pieces of equipment that are in the prototype (or) early stages of the development process and our input will help make the products more useful for war fighters, should the military decide to move forward with these technologies,” said Master Sgt. Jeff Lee, a Special Forces Detachment operations sergeant.
Soldiers from 2/19’s training team and support company also participated, bringing multiple and diverse backgrounds and ranks to the assessment process. Soldiers from Special Operations-Europe, the Old Guard, and other military elements were also present.
“It feels good to get a full spectrum on things,” Lendoff said. “By being lower enlisted, I’d be the one probably driving a vehicle, so my feedback is going to be from that point of view. My first sergeant would probably look at the operational and strategic values, like how would the technology operate as part of a large convoy with multiple vehicles.”
After integrating with existing baseline technologies, all the technologies are worked into scenarios at a simulated combat outpost. Surveillance equipment interacts with monitoring software, soldiers use gear worn on their body, and communication devices are tested during missions.
Afterward, thorough feedback is recorded, often with a field representative of the technology present.
“They can often apply on the spot fixes,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Yost, a communications sergeant in Company C, 2/19 SFG(A).
The short learning curve is replicated in the scenarios as well, reflecting reality in many deployed situations.
“Regardless of rank or job, one soldier should be able to train another on this technology in a short period,” Lendof said. “That’s key because that’s the reality. I was able to teach Staff Sgt. McCloud how to operate the video enhancer product while we were literally on the mission. He felt confident on a dirt road and in an unfamiliar vehicle during nights ops, with the developer in the vehicle.”
TSOA provides an insight to developers who may rarely get the chance to leave their work places to see the reality Soldiers face in a hostile environment.
“Many of these civilians don’t realize what it’s like to carry over 70 pounds of gear on their back,” Yost said. “You’ve got your body armor, ammunition, weapons, communication equipment, water, medical equipment, and enough straps, buttons and clips hanging off of you already. They might think their product is amazing but have no idea it’s just completely impractical when added to what’s already necessary.”
Special Forces soldiers spent the first three days training civilian program managers who were invited to attend one of the practical training exercises.
“From the PM perspective, they had fun and also gained valuable insight on what it's like to use different types of equipment when tired and under stress when we put them through a competitive stress test shooting drill in body armor,” Lee said.
TSOA helps build bridges between civilians generating products for future conflicts and the soldiers that will eventually rely on those technologies. Having the experience from soldiers like those from 2/19 SFG(A) is valued by technology developers and is crucial to the success of the TSOA events.
“Events like TSOA are a great way to make the W.Va. Army National Guard remain relevant compared to the active duty components,” Lee said. “The National Guard usually sees new technologies well after the active component has already fielded it, so this is a nice change of pace for us to get a sneak peak and provide input to the design up front.”
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2013 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 107380 |
| Location: | FORT A.P. HILL, VA, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLESTON, WV, US |
| Web Views: | 811 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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