Photo Essay: Cold-Weather Operations Course Class 18-06 students train in snowshoeing, ahkio sled use at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Students in the Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 18-06 practice snowshoeing and pulling an ahkio sled during course training March 7, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The students were all Soldiers. CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear. Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment. The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

03.13.2018

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                        

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Students in the Cold-Weather Operations Course (CWOC) Class 18-06 practice snowshoeing and pulling an ahkio sled during course training March 7, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis.

The students were all Soldiers.

CWOC students are trained on a variety of cold-weather subjects, including snowshoe training and skiing as well as how to use ahkio sleds and other gear.

Training also focuses on terrain and weather analysis, risk management, cold-weather clothing, developing winter fighting positions in the field, camouflage and concealment, and numerous other areas that are important to know in order to survive and operate in a cold-weather environment.

The training is coordinated through the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort McCoy.

Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS) Warehouse Supervisor Scott Huber, who manages the warehouse in building 495, said Fort McCoy's cold-weather training equipment inventory includes many ahkio sleds and they are an important piece of equipment used in the course.

An ahkio is a traditional, reindeer-pulled sled of the Lapland people of Finland, and is used for many purposes, including cold-weather expeditions.

"For our training package, the sleds are used to carry the tent, stove, fuel, and other equipment troops would need to go out to a site and set up a living and operations area," Huber said. "The ahkio sleds are a critical transportation piece for the whole training package."

More than 200 students have trained with the sleds through six classes for CWOC, said Instructor Bill Hamilton.

Fort McCoy has supported America's armed forces since 1909. The installation's motto is to be the "Total Force Training Center." The post's varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.

Today, Fort McCoy has become the Army's premier Total Force Training Center for Army Early Response Force early deployers to meet the Army's operational demand requirements. Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching "ftmccoy," and on Twitter by searching "usagmccoy."

• Date Taken: 03.13.2018
• Date Posted: 03.13.2018 12:45
• Story ID: 269197
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US