HOHENFELS, Germany – A soft breeze runs through the terrain as Soldiers work together to dispose of past rotations’ decaying blockades. Old concertina wire, or more commonly known as c-wire, still crashes into a dumpster. At the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, in order to simulate realistic warfighting scenarios, c-wire is used as both a troop and vehicle anti-movement deterrence, but while it’s great for the battlefield, when left in nature’s hands it may harm the environment if left to the elements.
Opposing Forces, more commonly known as OPFOR, has taken the lead on box clean up during spring cleaning on the Hohenfels Training Area. Normally during rotations at JMRC OPFOR are trying to evade these obstacles, but when rotation is over the need for the tear down and disposal of these obstacles falls on their helping hands.
“We're showing rotational units that we're acting like not savages,” said Pfc. Francisco Duarte, a Soldier assigned to the 1-4 Infantry Regiment. “We're not just leaving trash around and we like to make sure we clean up everything; Ensuring that the environment is safe and that rotational units have no advantages when coming here.”
Not only can obstacles such as pallets and c-wire affect the environment, but it may also have an effect upon the quality of training received by rotational units. If pallets are left on the side of the road, units may jump to think it’s a key point to use the ever so conveniently placed debris in order to defend in an oncoming attack. Ridding the playing field of unnecessary items inspires rotational units to come up with more unique solutions when it comes to defense emplacements.
“Well, it's important for a training value,” said Spc. Hunter Smith, a Soldier assigned to 1-4 Infantry Regiment. “It's a fresh start, when the RTU/OPFOR uses assets from the last rotation, then it kind of gives them an advantage so we have to make sure that it's a clean slate, while making sure we do our part to protect the environment.”
Though COVID-19 May has shifted people’s moods, the Soldiers at Hohenfels still show their enthusiasm and resiliency. The importance of protecting each other and the environment does not come lightly to them.
“I feel it's important because we work here this is our home,” Smith states. “We do everything in the box, we train hard with the other units that come through here, and we just like to make sure we clean up after ourselves.”