RC East Soldiers learn intelligence-gathering skills

Photo By Staff Sgt. Patrick Kirby | KFOR Regional Command East U.S. Soldiers along with members of Torres Advanced Enterprise Solutions bag evidence found during a site exploration exercise at a training facility in Ferizaj, Kosovo Oct. 15, 2019. The site exploitation course teaches students how to acquire information about the enemy. Whether it be cell phones hidden in a wall, or maps, found in a desk, attending the site exploitation class gives Soldiers the skills needed to go in and gather information. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Patrick Kirby)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

10.17.2019

Story by Sgt. Patrick Kirby 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — The Army teaches operations security to ensure United States intelligence information is safe and out of enemy reach. On the other hand, the Army’s site exploitation class teaches students how to acquire information about the enemy. A Mobile Training Team from U.S. Army Europe’s 7th Army Training Center command taught the site exploitation class to U.S. and Polish Soldiers as well as contractors on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Oct. 12-16.

The site exploitation course develops knowledge and skills required to use information gathered from materials and personnel to gain success in future operations. Students began their training in a classroom setting and finished with a practical exercise in a field environment.

“In this class we teach situational awareness, threat mitigation and planning on the operational side,” said Ken Comeaux, an instructor with the MTT. “This class teaches the process of site exploitation.”

The students started in the classroom where they learned the skills needed to conduct site exploitation. Whether it’s cell phones hidden in a wall, or maps found in a desk, attending the site exploitation class gives Soldiers the skills needed to gather information.

After the classroom portion, the students went into hands-on practice and finished with a culminating event. This event brought students to a training area in Ferizaj, Kosovo.

“This class was a great blend of classroom instruction and hands on with the tools that are used in site exploitation,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jonathan Caylor, intelligence officer, Task Force Aviation said. “Then we went out into the field and actually got to do the site exploitation mission.”

Once in the practical exercise area, the team saw a training house with a vehicle parked in front and three civilian role-players standing on the porch. They assessed the scenario and reacted quickly.

Based on what they learned in the class, the Soldiers had establish security and start clearing the vehicle and building while detaining the civilians as part of the exercise.

Inside the building, they began searching for any intelligence pieces, such as laptops, cellphones or maps with information to take back to their higher headquarters.

The training mission ended back at the classroom with a back brief to the notional commander of the mission.

“For me, as an intel officer, it is nice to see where the intel comes from,” said Caylor. “Seeing the tactical piece – not just the reports on it – was really cool.”

Continuously training on tactics, techniques, and procedures in a multinational setting improves mission readiness for all KFOR RC East Soldiers – who are dedicated to the safety and security of Kosovo.

• Date Taken: 10.17.2019
• Date Posted: 11.11.2019 04:35
• Story ID: 351285
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ