May 13...BASIC FIRE SUPPORT
Already trained in the art of "deadly combat" (yeh, that's right), our sights shifted to learning the art of "calling for help" (not as "sexy" as the former, but just as necessary). In this class, we were given the basics of how to call in fire support, due to being in a compromised position (enemy attacking) or in the orchestration of a strike from a distance. Using a wall of one room as a projection screen, a large but real picture of a territory with buildings, roads and vehicles was displayed; much like a view of the countryside from a hilltop. In front of us, on the table, was a topographical map of the same territory with coordinated grids. Through our teaching, we were given a target on the wall projection and asked to find the coordinates on the map. Subsequently, we used a special set of binoculars with measurement lines in the optics and our maps to determine the distance and angle of incidence (what direction we are pointed). After determining the distance from us and the coordinates, we called in the air strike to the command center, requesting the attack. Essentially, we sat at our table and pretended to use a radio to call in the attack while two individuals sat at the computer, spoke back to us and entered the command into the computer. Then, an attack plane would sore across the projected wall image and drop bombs on the target. Very much like a video game for training.
May 14…Engaged in Leadership...and Lectures
Another day of lectures. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but here are the class names: ROE (Rules of Engagement), Law of War, Code of Conduct, Graduated Response, and Media Awareness. Enough said. As the last exercise of the day, we had one of our Leadership Engagements. Below, you can see Josh and Travis sit with an interpreter between them discussing made up issues with the village leaders…riveting.
(Check out the fascination of the audience.)
No comments:
Post a Comment