Photo By Staff Sgt. David Marquis | Spc. Prince Aquillo, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment,...... read more read more
HOHENFELS, Germany – Dressed in black and moving like the enemy, U.S. Soldiers are playing the part of an opposing force to keep thousands of troops on edge during Exercise Saber Junction 25 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center.
Known as Opposing Forces, or OPFOR, these Soldiers simulate battlefield conditions for U.S., Allied, and Partner units. Their mission: make training feel real for participants operating in the Hohenfels Training Area’s massive field exercise area, locally known as “the box.”
“We’re basically playing the bad guys for them, facilitating their training here,” said Spc. Bill Tiffany, an assistant gunner with 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 126th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. “What it really means is going out there, shooting blanks, throwing artillery sims or gas grenades.”
“Anything to keep them alert and in the headspace that it’s real,” Tiffany said, adding OPFOR plays a crucial role in preventing complacency during training.
“Everyone knows in the back of their mind that it’s not real,” he said. “But if nobody’s pushing them, they’re not going to want to do the right thing. What that translates to in real life is them getting balled up by someone who actually wants to hurt them.”
To enhance realism, Soldiers on both sides of the exercise wear the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, or MILES gear. This training tool uses lasers and sensors to simulate combat. With sensor vests and weapon-mounted transmitters, troops can register simulated "shots" and "kills," making force-on-force engagements more dynamic and impactful.
For Sgt. Ben Wills, an infantryman with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, OPFOR training is the real litmus test of combat readiness.
“Anyone can go out in the woods with blanks and think, ‘oh, that was a great run, we’re super good,’” said Wills. “It’s a lot different when you put the MILES on and go toe to toe with someone like us.”
Wills added, it gives the participating training audience a new perspective.
“Suddenly there are indicators that you’re “dead”, or maybe you’re not as qualified as you think you are,” said Wills. “It really gives you an idea of where you stand tactically so you can improve.”
The OPFOR mission brings together Soldiers from various companies and battalions, forming ad hoc units for the duration of the exercise. Tiffany, who hadn’t worked with anyone on his team prior to arriving, said the cohesion developed quickly.
“All of us came together,” he said. “We all know what we’re talking about, and we’re pushing forward on the same goal.”
“It seems to be working out,” added Tiffany.
Wills agreed, emphasizing the adaptability of the team. “We come from a lot of different backgrounds,” he said, emphasizing their combined experience allows the team to quickly overcome any obstacles. “It’s been really awesome.”
All members of this OPFOR element come from combat arms branches of the Army. According to Wills, this makes them uniquely effective at helping other Soldiers, particularly those in non-combat roles, understand their vulnerabilities in a fight.
“When you look at it on an Army standpoint, fuelers are good at fueling, pilots are good at flying,” said Wills. “But when it comes to combat military occupational specialties, at the end of the day, that's what we do.”
“We train for war,” Wills said. “If you take a non-combat MOS and you show them what it is like to experience war, then that gives you a good standpoint on where you stand tactically and where you need to improve.”
He added, “It gives you a realistic look at where you are.”
Saber Junction 25 brings together more than 7,000 participants and 1,000 vehicles from 15 nations, with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment serving as the primary training audience. The exercise is designed to ensure that U.S., Allied, and partner forces remain ready to act decisively in response to emerging threats, crises, or opportunities.
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2025 06:31 |
| Story ID: | 547645 |
| Location: | HOHENFELS, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Simulated Enemy, Real Pressure: OPFOR at Saber Junction 25, by SSG David Marquis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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