EvanL
10-17-2006, 04:39 PM
Based on Experience
Story and Photos By: Sgt Dennis Power
You're riding in a convoy from Kandahar out to the airfield when a violent explosion rocks your vehicle. One soldier is injured and one of the vehicles in the convoy is disabled. What do you do now?
Shilo, Manitoba - This is one of many scenarios played out during a recent exercise in Shilo involving soldiers from the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI). Using G-Wagons as patrol vehicles, two companies of soldiers completed the well-focused training under the guidance of training staff with real-time experience in Improvised Explosive Device(IED) strikes and ambushes experienced on tour in Afghanistan earlier this year.
The scenarios take place in fairly quick succession, but each involves marshalling, quick orders, and a short road move before the IED strike. All road moves overseas begin with comprehensive orders after marshalling. Anyone in the convoy who doesn't know how to react to an incident becomes a liability. Sections or platoons travelling together frequently can often shorten these orders as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are used
To add realism to the training a charge of remotely set-off C4 was used as the IED. The targeted vehicle was close enough to feel the effect of the blast. From the moment the blast goes off until the section is able to extract themselves from the area, everything is about fast action and teamwork.
Section Commanders must make quick decisions in a very short time. The troops in the section need to have solid drills to rely on without receiving direction, making them an effective part of the team. This is accomplished through training and experience. As the troops react instinctively, the Section Commander formulates a plan in seconds. Then, pulling together, the section will do what it takes to take charge of the situation.
Sergeant Chris Thombs described the training as rehearsals in the event of an IED strike or ambush. He said, “the way this is going to pay off is that the skills will become second nature. The troops will be able to engage the enemy effectively, do their job, and extract themselves from a contact.”
Sergeant Thombs added that this training is only a baseline, and not the solution to every problem. “What we're doing is giving them a taste of what they may experience in theatre, working under pressure, very short decision cycles, explosions in the near vicinity, and being able to extract a disabled vehicle.”
Private Devon Branje was part of the training, and has the experience to know that the training is on the right track. While overseas earlier in the year, he was in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide bomber. The bomber detonated his vehicle right in front of Private Branje's G-Wagon. Being the turret-gunner, he received burns from the fireball as he ducked to avoid shrapnel and vehicle parts. He described the reaction of the rest of the patrol as instantaneous and as per set procedures.
Private Branje said “the training we're doing here today is a step up from what we did before deploying. They're learning from our experience, and this kind of stuff will save lives.”
As each section completes a run through the live-fire practice they are debriefed back at the marshalling area. With a lot of the staff and troops having actual experience in IED strikes and ambushes, the points are clear and valid.
Warrant Officer Bob Paquette, supervising the training described Afghanistan, the theatre we're training for, as a very difficult environment in terms living conditions and physical danger. He added that “the troops require this training in order to prepare themselves adequately so that they are solid on the ground once they arrive.”
Warrant Officer Paquette echoed other training staff with his final comment, he said “this is only a start, further training is always required.”
With the frequency of attacks and ambushes in Afghanistan, it makes good sense to get as much training as possible before deploying. With the experience of recently returned troops, and lessons coming back from troops currently deployed, we're on the right track.
Sgt Power is a reporter with Army News Shilo
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0575a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - A 3PPCLI soldier provides covering fire for a section as it extracts a disabled vehicle from the kill-zone during the exercise.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0573a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - Soldiers of 3PPCLI take part in live-fire counter-ambush training. Soldiers in orange vests are safety staff.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0576a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - A turret-gunner in a G-Wagon uses a C-6 to provide covering-fire for his section as it extracts a disabled vehicle from an ambush during live-fire training in Shilo.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0572a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - Warrant Officer Bob Paquette (in orange vest) debriefs a section of soldiers at completion of the live-fire counter-ambush excercise.
Story and Photos By: Sgt Dennis Power
You're riding in a convoy from Kandahar out to the airfield when a violent explosion rocks your vehicle. One soldier is injured and one of the vehicles in the convoy is disabled. What do you do now?
Shilo, Manitoba - This is one of many scenarios played out during a recent exercise in Shilo involving soldiers from the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI). Using G-Wagons as patrol vehicles, two companies of soldiers completed the well-focused training under the guidance of training staff with real-time experience in Improvised Explosive Device(IED) strikes and ambushes experienced on tour in Afghanistan earlier this year.
The scenarios take place in fairly quick succession, but each involves marshalling, quick orders, and a short road move before the IED strike. All road moves overseas begin with comprehensive orders after marshalling. Anyone in the convoy who doesn't know how to react to an incident becomes a liability. Sections or platoons travelling together frequently can often shorten these orders as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are used
To add realism to the training a charge of remotely set-off C4 was used as the IED. The targeted vehicle was close enough to feel the effect of the blast. From the moment the blast goes off until the section is able to extract themselves from the area, everything is about fast action and teamwork.
Section Commanders must make quick decisions in a very short time. The troops in the section need to have solid drills to rely on without receiving direction, making them an effective part of the team. This is accomplished through training and experience. As the troops react instinctively, the Section Commander formulates a plan in seconds. Then, pulling together, the section will do what it takes to take charge of the situation.
Sergeant Chris Thombs described the training as rehearsals in the event of an IED strike or ambush. He said, “the way this is going to pay off is that the skills will become second nature. The troops will be able to engage the enemy effectively, do their job, and extract themselves from a contact.”
Sergeant Thombs added that this training is only a baseline, and not the solution to every problem. “What we're doing is giving them a taste of what they may experience in theatre, working under pressure, very short decision cycles, explosions in the near vicinity, and being able to extract a disabled vehicle.”
Private Devon Branje was part of the training, and has the experience to know that the training is on the right track. While overseas earlier in the year, he was in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide bomber. The bomber detonated his vehicle right in front of Private Branje's G-Wagon. Being the turret-gunner, he received burns from the fireball as he ducked to avoid shrapnel and vehicle parts. He described the reaction of the rest of the patrol as instantaneous and as per set procedures.
Private Branje said “the training we're doing here today is a step up from what we did before deploying. They're learning from our experience, and this kind of stuff will save lives.”
As each section completes a run through the live-fire practice they are debriefed back at the marshalling area. With a lot of the staff and troops having actual experience in IED strikes and ambushes, the points are clear and valid.
Warrant Officer Bob Paquette, supervising the training described Afghanistan, the theatre we're training for, as a very difficult environment in terms living conditions and physical danger. He added that “the troops require this training in order to prepare themselves adequately so that they are solid on the ground once they arrive.”
Warrant Officer Paquette echoed other training staff with his final comment, he said “this is only a start, further training is always required.”
With the frequency of attacks and ambushes in Afghanistan, it makes good sense to get as much training as possible before deploying. With the experience of recently returned troops, and lessons coming back from troops currently deployed, we're on the right track.
Sgt Power is a reporter with Army News Shilo
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0575a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - A 3PPCLI soldier provides covering fire for a section as it extracts a disabled vehicle from the kill-zone during the exercise.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0573a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - Soldiers of 3PPCLI take part in live-fire counter-ambush training. Soldiers in orange vests are safety staff.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0576a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - A turret-gunner in a G-Wagon uses a C-6 to provide covering-fire for his section as it extracts a disabled vehicle from an ambush during live-fire training in Shilo.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/LFWA_HQ/photos/AS2006-0572a.jpg
Sept 14, 2006 - Warrant Officer Bob Paquette (in orange vest) debriefs a section of soldiers at completion of the live-fire counter-ambush excercise.