Pacifica
Tumblr about the The relationship between countries in the Asia Pacific region and the United States and its allies with a specialization in the military interactions and relatively recent history.
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Exercise hones COLT platoon skills by U.S. Army Korea (Historical Image Archive) on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Aird
1st Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs
RODRIGUEZ LIVE FIRE COMPLEX – Soldiers whose job it is to range far ahead of friendly lines, search undetected for enemy forces and pinpoint them for artillery and airstrikes, got to practice those skills here recently, at night and in below-freezing weather.
The Soldiers are with the 2nd Infantry Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment.
They took part in a training exercise called COLT PENTOMIC, held early last month.
They’re members of what’s called a Combat Observation Lasing Team and are assigned to their battery’s COLT Platoon.
The platoon operates in small teams far from friendly forces, according to 1st Lt. Colin Marcum, COLT platoon leader, HHB, 1-15th FA.
Compared to other Soldiers, COLT teams have a higher probability of capture or death.
However, they have the ability to destroy an entire mechanized battalion; their capacity to achieve battlefield results is exceptional, Marcum said.
The COLT teams spent five days training as if they were out ahead of friendly lines. Other Soldiers were there in the role of enemy forces.
They set up observation posts to detect enemy movement, evaded the enemy, and tried to stay awake.
“We spent two nights outside,” said Sgt. Kyle Koch, a 27 year-old team leader from Freemont, Neb. “We slept in shifts to mimic how we would sleep during combat.”
And there was the weather.
“It was definitely a learning experience to stay outside over night and endure the cold,” said Bradford.
Besides providing realistic training, COLT PENTOMIC helped prepare them for the months ahead, when they’ll train with National Guard units from the States and with South Korean Army troops, Marcum said.
“Being on a COLT team is a great opportunity to enhance my skills as a forward observer,” said Pvt. Justin Bradford, a 20-year-old from Grand Rapids, Mich. -
Members of 607th Combat Communications Squadron, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, role playing Opposing Forces (OPFOR), attack the Combat Communications Squadron compound during a Combat Employment Readiness Exercise (CERE), Oct. 30, 1998. During the exercise, simulated opposing Forces (OPFOR) attack the compound and try to destroy squadron assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Jeffrey Allen) (Released)
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USFK - United States Forces Korea image archive by expertinfantry on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Members of 607th Combat Communications Squadron, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, role playing Opposing Forces (OPFOR), attack the Combat Communications Squadron compound during a Combat Employment Readiness Exercise (CERE), Oct. 30, 1998. During the exercise, simulated opposing Forces (OPFOR) attack the compound and try to destroy squadron assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Jeffrey Allen) (Released)
Learn more: www.expertinfantry.com
