Multinational forces team join OPFOR during Combined Resolve XIV

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Getsie | 2nd Lt. Alex Melinte (left) commander with the Romanian Land Forces, discusses operations with fellow Soldier during Combined Resolve XIV, Sept. 19, 2020 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Combined Resolve XIV is a Headquarters Department of the Army directed Multinational exercise designed to build 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division’s readiness and enhance interoperability with allied forces to fight and win against any adversary. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Getsie)  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

09.22.2020

Courtesy Story

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany – Multinational forces gathering at Hohenfels Training Area for Combined Resolve XIV brought a diverse pool of experience and training to the table as they combined forces to work through the scenarios and challenges presented at the exercise.

U.S. Soldiers from 1-4 Infantry Regiment along with Romanian land forces, Slovenian armed forces, Ukrainian ground forces and the 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment of the Georgia National Guard and served as the OPFOR at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center.

More than 130 Soldiers were set to portray the enemy during Combined Resolve XIV. OPFOR in exercises such as Combined Resolve XIV use enemy doctrine, weapons, and equipment to test units. To add to the realistic training, the mock enemy wears uniforms similar to a potential enemy and completely unlike the friendly forces’ uniforms.

U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Likes, an infantry officer with the 1-4 Infantry Regiment, aims to test the mettle of every unit that rotates into JMRC’s training arena.

“We come to every rotation with the goal in mind to give the tested Soldiers the most realistic and best fight we can,” Likes said. “This ensures they can be successful on the real world battlefield.”

Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) is a simulation system used during each exercise and may be attached to a wide variety of weapons and personnel. When a mock round is fired, the MILES system sends a laser beam toward a Soldier or equipment. A direct or near hit on an attached harness reveals whether a Soldier is injured or killed and if equipment has been disarmed.

“The ultimate goal of opposing forces is to simulate a real battle and give units the experience they will need in the future to fight and win,” Likes said. “We bring an enemy that’s not just a static placard,” Likes said. “We actively try to hunt, destroy, outthink and out maneuver the friendly forces.”

Likes praised his Romanian, Slovenian and Ukrainian “enemy” allies.

“Together, we bring a dynamic element to the fight,” Likes said. “There’s nothing that surpasses the opportunity for a tested unit to engage with a free-thinking enemy that’s on its same peer-to-peer level. That’s when a unit will really learn about itself.”

Lt. Fares Al Shami, an infantry commander with the Ukrainian ground forces, said the exercise gave his soldiers a unique opportunity to work with other countries and better learn how to respond to realistic scenarios.

“I’m happy Ukraine had the opportunity to take part in this multinational exercise,” Al Shami said. “It’s a great experience for my unit to learn from U.S. and its allies.”

Capt. Daniel Lazurean of the Romanian land forces, said that training in the realistic environment allows the OPFOR to experience a different perspective on tactics. The opposition units are able to gain new experiences and insight into multinational strengths and weaknesses.

“It’s a good opportunity to analyze NATO forces and their capabilities,” Lazurean said. “All of the multinational forces – regardless whether playing friendly or opposition forces -- are comprehensively learning to develop our tactics, combat skills, interoperability, and how to best use terrain for camouflage.”

• Date Taken: 09.22.2020
• Date Posted: 09.29.2020 04:26
• Story ID: 378358
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE