The 650th RSG conducts VCTS drivers training

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Spc. William Johnson, 650th Regional Support Group maintenance specialist, does maintenance on a Humvee tire, during drivers training, which included the use of the Virtual Clearance Training Suite system simulator, at the Taylor Hall U.S. Army Reserve Center in Las Vegas July 15. With this virtual training, Soldiers were guided step by step through the different levels of detection and identification so that they could neutralize explosive hazards. These methods and systems are the future of warfare on the battlefield.  

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES

07.15.2016

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

LAS VEGAS – Sgt. 1st Class Leo Castillejo, 650th Regional Support Group maintenance supervisor, and Sgt. Brandon Bungcayao, 650th RSG motor sergeant, conducted drivers training, which included the use of the Virtual Clearance Training Suite system simulator, at the Taylor Hall U.S. Army Reserve Center in Las Vegas July 15.

The VCTS’s primary mission is to train Road Clearance Combat Engineers to detect, identify and neutralize explosive hazards that threaten our troops safety. This suite is capable of training a Soldier, who has never seen the specialized equipment, into fully mission capable road clearance warriors.

“Using this simulator gives us an idea of what it would be like in a real world environment and has been some of the best training we have ever had,” said Bungcayao. “And, I think this training will help us in our future career.”

These driving courses, which include at least four hours of classroom instruction in traffic safety, are designed to establish and reinforce a positive attitude toward driving. Individual responsibility and correct response to routine and emergency driving situations is stressed.

With this virtual training, Soldiers were guided step by step through the different levels of detection and identification so that they could neutralize explosive hazards. These methods and systems are the future of warfare on the battlefield.

“No simulator can ever replace hands on field training, but it can cut the cost factor of field training,” said Michael G. Martin, WTA Site Supervisor. “This program greatly enhances the student’s proficiency and capability.”

In a controlled setting, complete control over the mission’s environment permits training for any condition the Soldier may encounter when deployed. Independent from the real environment, training can continue when the temperature is hot or cold, when it is dark or the weather is challenging, or any other factor that would stop field training.

With two scenarios, one for the instructor and one for the student, the instructors screen holds a number of tools to change and influence the environment and the students screen holds the controls over the decision and steering unit in this area. The instructor is free to create challenging scenarios in which all of the former know attributes can suddenly change.

As the U.S. Army transforms into a modern fighting force, future Soldiers will benefit from systems like the VCTS and others that give them the advantage over their enemies by being more deployable, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable and sustainable.

The 650th RSG was constituted in the Army Reserve in 1998 at Salt Lake, Utah. The unit was reassigned to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007. In August 2010 the unit deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2011, the 650th RSG was realigned under the 311th Sustainment Command and took control of three battalions: 314th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 469th CSSB and the 483rd Transportation Battalion. Its area of operation spans over three states, including California, Nevada and Arizona.

• Date Taken: 07.15.2016
• Date Posted: 07.23.2016 17:45
• Story ID: 204850
• Location: LAS VEGAS, NV, US