Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wilbanks | The soldiers of 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment “Buffalos”, 1st Stryker...... read more read more
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EL PASO, Texas -- The soldiers of 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment “Buffalos”, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, put their skills on display with a combat demonstration held at “Kamal Jabour” village, a training village near Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug 10.
The demonstration was performed for the distinguished guests of the 1st Armored Division building dedication ceremony to show what urban combat is like in a deployed environment.
“Kamal Jabour” village is an urban combat range designed to resemble a typical Arabic town. The range has more than 30 buildings, an integrated sound system that mimics city sounds, wire-guided fake rocket propelled grenades and a complete market setting. During the training exercise, the “Buffalos” took full advantage of this incredibly realistic environment.
The “Buffalos” played all of the parts in this complex training event. From the Civilians running the market stands to the Afghanistan Army personnel, this operation included over 150 soldiers working together to create one smoothly executed training mission that wowed the visiting personnel.
The exercise started with the soldiers in the role of Afghanistan civilians performing everyday activities in a market environment. The soldiers, acting as Afghan civilians, moved from vendor to vendor, haggled over and purchased goods, rode bicycles and drove cars up and down the busy street. This experience helped some of the soldiers better understand the civilians they were pretending to be.
“I learned a lot about Middle Eastern culture and even learned some of the language,” said Pfc. Chris Harrison, a Stryker driver with 3rd Platoon, A Company, “Buffalos.”
The next act in the training was the arrival of the American and Afghani combined patrol. The patrol, consisting of two HMMWVs and two Afghanistan army vehicles, moved through the busy streets until struck by an improvised explosive device. This was immediately followed by a small-arms ambush.
The soldiers returned fire and sought good covered positions while the opposing forces rained down automatic weapons fire. The American and Afghan soldiers, already under heavy assault, were then hit with two RPGs and a vehicular born improvised explosive device. As the simulated casualties mounted, the pinned down soldiers called in their quick response force.
The QRF, consisting of several Stryker vehicles with dismounted Infantry inside, stormed into the village moments later to help smash the OPFOR and evacuate the casualties. The QRF set up road blocks and stopping positions, cleared all the surrounding buildings and pulled security as the soldiers left the village.
After the withdrawal of the American and Afghan soldiers, village life returned to normal as the distinguished guests made their way through the town to get a first hand view of the fine presentation.
The value of this realistic and complex training was not lost on Pfc. Michael G. Waters, a rifleman with 1st Platoon, A Company, “Buffalos."
“It was great training,” he said. “You get used to civilians on the battlefield, explosions, gunfire and chaos.”
Cpl. James D. Puff, A team leader with 1st Platoon, A company, “Buffalos," agreed with Waters.
“The training was realistic and good for these young soldiers,” he said. “This is the kind of training that will help better prepare these soldiers for combat.”
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2011 13:20 |
| Story ID: | 75736 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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