Battling the elements when training in Germany

Photo By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell | Heavy tanks have difficulty maneuvering in slippery conditions at Combined Resolve XIII at The Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany on Jan. 29, 2020. Soldiers need to be wary of ever changing terrain and weather causing hazards on the battlefield.  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

01.31.2020

Story by Sgt. Breanne Donnell 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany- Soldiers from 17 allied and partnered countries participated in Combined Resolve XIII at Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany Jan.-Feb. 2020. The exercise provides a real-world training environment for Soldiers to practice battle scenarios, but that’s only half the battle.

The unique terrain at Hohenfels allows Soldiers to work through not only unfamiliar territory but also weather. This change of scenery and climate allows them to work through obstacles while putting them in situations that push their problem solving and communication skills, sometimes beyond comfort.

“Germany is a very dynamic environment that allows us to see a wide look that everything Europe has to offer,” said Army Capt. David Saxton, Task Force Fire Support Trainer, Warhog Team. “As you can see with the winter weather it gives Soldiers a very unique training environment to see how winter weather affects them both from dismounted ops to vehicle ops and how something as simple as a fuel run becomes an hour long endeavor due to mud and traffic jams.”

Putting Soldiers in different scenarios during the exercise allows them to hone their skills and improve camaraderie and battle rhythm in units. But when ‘Mother Nature’ lends a hand, the training can become even more difficult.

“You have tracks out here and vehicles sliding because they aren’t ready for that. But, that’s what gives OPFOR (opposing force) the advantage- it’s that wall, that barrier, which makes them better warriors and Soldiers at the end.” said Pfc. Joshua Osborne, Apache Company, 1-4 Infantry Regiment.

Equipment and manpower all feel the pressure that any added rain, sleet, or snow can add to an already complex situation or movement in an unfamiliar environment. The temperatures and conditions can change drastically from minute to minute.

“The weather and terrain is what gets people the best training here. Compare this to NTC (National Training Center) or JRTC (Joint Rotational Training Center); they don’t have the weather like this, they don’t have the terrains like this.” said Osborne.

Proper preventative maintenance checks and services for vehicles and equipment can help negate most preventable breakdowns or malfunctions but not all. Mud, snow and even standing water can affect functions and capabilities especially with larger and heavier equipment.

Combined Resolve XIII brings many challenges but all with invaluable teaching points and experiences.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2020
• Date Posted: 02.01.2020 07:03
• Story ID: 361188
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE