Capstone...bout timeWell, the big day arrived. The Capstone Course was the pinnacle of our training; testing all of the skills we acquired over the 10 weeks at Fort Riley. It was a live, role playing set of scenarios in which we needed to travel to 3 different villages and complete predetermined missions. Both us, and our enemies were given “blanks” to fire for the day.
(Mike's wearing the "nut-hugger" gun turret harness while Jerry is happy for him)
(Me, Andrew and Mike)
(Travis enjoying his coffee and a peace sign...but notice the reflection in the window...I look like a tourist)
We saddled up the Hum-Vs and headed up to the yet another range where we received our briefing and made plans for the mission. Every person on our Team of 14 had a job. In each of the three vehicles, there was a driver, a TC or truck commander who sat in the front passenger seat, the gunner in the turret and two dismounts.
(Notice the cigarette hangin' out of Sgt. P's mouth...classic)
I was a dismount and along with Jerry, Sgt Plewniak (who was affectionately deemed Sgt. P), and CDR Glover. As dismounts, we were the ground security for CDR Heimer, who was accompanied by his personal security, LCDR Shadley. In the first village, our mission was to facilitate the last of our Leader Engagements in which CDR Heimer and LCDR Shadley met with the village leaders inside a village building. The four dismounts, including myself, proceeded to cordon (secure) the building with our M4s in hand. We each took a corner of the building and maintained site of one another to ensure communication. Meanwhile, the village people (not the musical group) who were all paid actors, roamed around the building trying to walk in back doors and distract us. Some acted mean while others curiously investigated every inch of the surrounding territory. Even in the setting of a pretend scenario, it was quite nerve-racking keeping tabs on all of the villagers.
After the meeting, all 4 dismounts pushed through the crowd to bring CDR Heimer safely to the vehicle. However, while we were occupied with the meeting and internal security, our Hum-V crews (providing outer cordon) were dealing with a rogue vehicle with known enemy affiliations. Unfortunately, the vehicle made it past the outer cordon and in the process, one of our teammates, CDR Foster was shot (make believe). Because I was also the “medic” for the team, I ran to CDR’s aid. But, as I was running to CDR, Jerry and I took on fire from the rogue vehicle (basically, the insurgent was firing at us with a rifle from behind the driver’s door). We both immediately stopped and returned fire, but in real life, I would have been a goner. Lesson learned…don’t forget to keep your head on a swivel. None the less, I made it to the CDR and fixed him up for transport. Eventually, we used what is called a 9-Line Medivac request to call in the Blackhawk medivac helicopters to transport our wounded CDR.
Moving on to the next village, we were informed of hostile intentions within. All the dismounts moved to the village center where we had a task of which I can’t remember. Yet, in the midst of our objective, the crowd turned aggressive. Additionally, in a building across the road, a sniper was firing on us. I was hit and needed medical attention. Since we were all trained in CLS (Combat Life Support), Sgt P tended to me and then to CDR Glover who was also hit. While we were being helped, our gunners in the Hum-Vs targeted the sniper and terminated him. Let’s get the crap out of here…
The final village was also hostile in nature. Dismounting again, we all provided security for CDR Heimer to meet with the village elder. During this scenario though, while walking through the main part of the village, we took on fire from a sniper in a second story window. Strategically, we maneuvered ourselves behind buildings and returned fire. The sniper was captured and brought down from the building and a I reinvented my roll as “Tactical Questioner”. Though, I didn’t get anything out of him…I suck. But, the sniper was identified as an insurgent and taken in for professional questioning. Phew, the course ended there and we returned to base for our “hotwash”. This didn’t go as well due to a suspected case of fratricide, but the 1st Sgt was mistaken and we moved on. End of the day…thank goodness. Being a dismount was not very easy…but it was kind of fun.
(This is what the villages looked like...and no, I don't think that is a piece of crap on the hood...we had just gone through a muddy field...)
