Ohio Army National Guard Revisits Force-On-Force Technology

OH, UNITED STATES

06.27.2018

Story by Sgt. Lexy Washburn  

196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Integrating technology with unit training at field levels is helping the OHARNG achieve this mission. During this year's annual training, which was held from June 16-30, one piece of technology in particular is being given new life in-order to achieve the level of warfighter readiness needed for today's Army: MILES gear.
Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems, better known throughout the military as MILES gear, is a system of lasers and sensors used to simulate actual combat. MILES gear is not new technology; most soldiers with more than five years of service under their belts will have some sort of familiarity of it. The system was originally introduced to the U.S. Army in the late 1970's for the purpose of direct-fire and force-on-force training.

Those same soldiers will probably recall the heavy, clunky, sensor boxes they would strap to their body armor and riffles. The technology has improved over the years; the purpose has not.
MILES works by replicating the firing of a weapon. When a weapon, or weapons system, is fired, a laser is shot in the direction that the soldier, or team, is firing. This laser is activated by the vibration of the weapon. Targets, vehicles and other Soldiers, who are wearing receivers, will then be registered as immobilized, wounded or killed depending on how accurate the shot is.
"If everything is zeroed, and they are doing the right thing, that laser should indicate a hit on the target," said Capt. James Field, the training officer and Headquarters & Headquarters Company commander for the 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Unlike other systems, such as Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK), which uses paintballs, the MILES gear can fire the exact range of the weapon while safely getting feedback.
"Using MILES is the only way to shoot at another Soldier safely and get feedback," states Jeffery Vinton, the Training Support Center Supervisor here at CGJMTC. Vinton explains that the receiving end of the MILES will start beeping or flashing, this lets a Soldier know how close or how far away they were from danger.

The laser replicates the actual firing of a bullet. On the receiving end, they know if they've been hit, how badly they've been hit, and, most importantly, the MILES lets the soldiers know they were vulnerable at that point. That teaches a soldier what they did or didn't do wrong depending on how many times they get injured and or killed.
Once the MILES gear goes off, it disables the weapon laser, so you can't shoot back. In the past, Soldiers could cheat, or "respawn," by turning their gear off and on after being hit. This flaw has since been removed, and the system can only be reset by the individual running the range.
"It provides downrange feedback that you wouldn't be able to get if you just run it dry [without a devise-based system]. It helps keep crews honest," Fields says.
While running the multi-purpose range complex here at annual training, Field was able to observe the use and results of this system when the 2-107th Calvary used the MILES for qualifying with their gunnery tables. "If you are shooting at a target, and it goes down, then you have proof that at least you've done that appropriately," he says. "If you don't, it's kind of on the crew to say, 'Yes, I've identified that target, and I am shooting at it.' Without that down-range feedback you are just trusting that they are seeing what they say they are seeing, and that they are actually engaging it with well-aimed shots."

The OHARNG took around 1,200 sets of MILES into the field for this year's annual training. With a focus on building readiness to rapidly deploy and conduct combat operations, the integration of simulators and systems like the MILES is on the rise.
"For gunnery, the MILES gear has absolutely been important during this AT," said Field. "First, it's a requirement. The training circular for sustainment gunnery states the gear is required for table 3 [phase in which the gunners prepare for basic qualification]. Without it, we wouldn't be able to conduct the range in accordance with the Army's guidance. That's the most important part."
The most current MILES gear system, MILES 2000, runs at the average cost of $1,500 per Soldier. However, the long-term benefits make this system a worthy investment. In addition to being lighter and easier to manage, the MILES gear can fulfill a variety of force-on-force missions for the OHARNG. The most common use this year are M16 and M4 rifles for opposing force (OPFOR) exercises. However, if needed, the MILES 2000 can be attached to sniper weapons system (SWS), squad automatic weapons (SAW), M-60 MG and dismounted anti-armor weapons like a Light Anti-Armor Weapon (LAW). The MILES can even be attached to armored vehicles like M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), M-1 Tank, and M2/3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).

According to Vinton, by using the MILES for qualifying on ranges and in the fields in place of live ammo, the OHARNG saves an average of $32.50 per Soldier. This is only counting the 5.56mm rounds used in M16 and M4 rifles.
They are beneficial," states Staff Sgt. Andrew Edgerly, the supply sergeant for the 2-107th Calvary. "Obviously, we are saving on ammo. You can reset, re-cock and run a scenario again. From our standpoint there's no real downfall to it."
As the OHARNG moves forward with their mission to be prepared, trained and always ready; troops will may be seeing the increased use of systems like MILES. For the troops here at the CGJMTC, the MILES system helped multiple units achieve standard and get the qualifications they needed.

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• Date Taken: 06.27.2018
• Date Posted: 12.31.2018 10:16
• Story ID: 282966
• Location: OH, US