Combat training, force integration

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kevin Tomko
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  A public affairs specialist being trained in combat skills is not exactly what was expected when volunteering for a 120-day deployment to serve halfway around the world alongside U.S. Army Soldiers .

Settling in with over 100 other Air Force students, yes Air Force, at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the class ranged in rank from senior airman to lieutenant colonel. Students were divided into 12-person squads each led by a junior Airman as a way for them to gain valuable leadership experience that may be needed on the battlefield.

Two weeks is barely enough time to be trained in troop-leading procedures, troop formations, close-quarter combat, urban tactics, combat first aid, night vision and convoy operations, not to mention Army lingo, ranks and basic Army structure. Training had to be completed regardless of miserable, rainy, cold weather along with a healthy dose of New Jersey mud - real-world combat conditions.

Having been outfitted with an M-16 rifle and full battle gear, training began in earnest. Troop movements included the physically demanding crawl, low crawl, and rush and roll. Agility was a problem because of the bulky full battle gear and extremely poor weather conditions.

Urban tactics required using an M-4 rifle, a modified version of the M-16, as squads had to clear buildings of the 'enemy' one-by-one without injuring innocent bystanders. "You can never control chaos," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Marsh, a cadre member. "We have been teaching this for years and even if we went through this again we would have a tough time." Previously learned communication, planning and speed skills were essential for success.

Combat first aid, similar to self-aid buddy care, was very rigorous in a simulated battlefield setting complete with pyrotechnics and live victims. While under constant gunfire from enemy combatants wielding AK-47s, squad members rescued victims from a blazing Humvee, administered first aid and carried the wounded to safety. Some victims on litters were dragged over a wall, through tanglefoot and then under barbed wire to safety. The low crawl learned in earlier training was a life-saver.

Airmen used their night vision goggle training as enemy combatants were engaged at dusk in a wooded area. Convoy operations required defensive driving skills while being fired upon and each convoy encountered commonly used attack methods being used in southwest Asia.

Training climaxed on the last day with one large battle - entering a town convoys came under fire, buildings had to be cleared, victims rescued, first aid administered to the wounded and 'killing' enemy combatants.

"If you don't get anything else out of this training, it makes you appreciate what our guys are going through over there (AOR)," said Sgt. Marsh.

Military maneuvers were physically challenging in themselves, but with the addition of bad weather, flak vest, helmet, web belt, canteens, ammo pouches and carrying a heavy rifle, the training was very realistic and may prove to be invaluable during my upcoming deployment. It certainly made me appreciate the comforts of home.