By Pfc. Matthew McLaughlin
BAGHDAD -- Knowledge is power, and in this instance, knowledge can also be a defense.
A contingency of Soldier representing the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., met with Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Commandos), 10th Mountain Division to gain knowledge on anti-Iraqi techniques.
Col. Mick Bednarek, commander of operations group, JRTC, said the goal was to absorb as much information as possible to make training more realistic for all Soldiers.
"The aim of the trip is to cover as much ground in Iraq as we can to get feedback to insure the training we provide is what we need," he said. "This will ensure forces get proper training. The key for us is to stay relevant in what we do in training centers by focusing on what the enemy does here."
Bednarek said he and his contingency learned much from the trip that they will take back to Fort Polk.
"I could write a book on all the things we learned here," he said, adding that his JRTC Soldiers are already very accurate in their portrayal of enemy opposing forces, or OPFOR as they are known throughout the Army. "Our scenarios at JRTC are a very close contemporary operation environment that prepares Soldiers against a tough, demanding, adaptive enemy."
The group also ran a number of operations, including patrols and missions with Iraqi National Guardsmen and Iraqi Police. A main focus was on insurgent tactics, but the contingency also observed the traits and habits of the ING and IP so they can replicate it at JRTC
"At Fort Polk, we replicate three things: Iraqi Police, ING and anti-Iraqi forces," said Maj. James Keith, a plans officer from 1st Battalion,13th Infantry Regiment, a National Guard unit form Illinois who are supporting JRTC as OPFOR. "We wanted to make sure the picture of IPs and ING are accurate."
The JRTC Soldiers observed everything from Iraqi rank structure to how they react to hostile fire. All this is to paint an accurate picture of the Multi-National Forces so they can teach Soldiers how to work with their Iraqi counterparts.
"The face we put on the ING will be replicated at JRTC," said Capt. Will Olson, Company A, 1-13 Inf. commander and OPFOR Soldier. "We all grow beards. We don't cut our hair and don't speak English. We've had guys ask us "Are you really Americans?""
Working with 2nd BCT Soldiers also provided the added bonus of seeing firsthand the work Soldiers from A and B Company, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment are doing. The two companies deployed to Iraq and are attached to 2nd BCT. This is their first deployment since World War II.
"It was a great added benefit to be out with units, going on patrol, with them day and night. It was powerful," Bednarek said. "They're attached to a great brigade who are focused on accomplishing the mission."
Col. Mark Milley, 2nd BCT commander, said the 1-509th Soldiers attached to him are a valued asset at both JRTC and Iraq. The experience they bring as OPFOR gives them an added advantage when facing anti-Iraqi forces.
"At JRTC we called them the "men in black,"" Milley said. "Over here we encounter men in black pajamas firing mortars. Many things they do at JRTC the enemy is doing here. When the president decides to redeploy them, they can go back to JRTC. But until then, the paratroopers are ours. They are a great asset."
Milley said he appreciates the efforts of the 1-509th Soldiers. He also expressed his gratitude to Bednarek, who was instrumental in preparing 2nd BCT for deployment.
Soldiers from 2nd BCT didn't have time to train at Fort Polk before deployment, so Bednarek brought the training to Fort Drum, N.Y. They helped organize a joint training exercise between Fort Drum and attached units from Fort Riley, Kan. and Fort Irwin, Calif. Milley said he asked Bednarek, realizing the short notice would be a difficult challenge. To Milley's delight, Bednarek's response was "when do you want it done."
"They did this all in 15 days, which in Army time is very quick," Milley said. "It was valued training. 2nd BCT owes a debt of gratitude to (the operations group)."