James’ Ranting Blog

March 10, 2007

Weeks 8-10

Filed under: Deployment, Training at Fort Bragg — James Fleming @ 10:53 am

Training is finally winding down, we are in the final hours of our ARTEP (Army’s term for final exercise to put to test what has been taught). The ARTEP has so far lasted 5 days of 24 hour operations. Our team has been tested with planning and executing multiple missions, establishing an overnight patrol base on two occasions, and responding to mortar and direct/indirect fire on the FOB. Leading up to the ARTEP, our Team completed additional training on weapons and tactics.

Our training has included a “Stress Fire” exercise. It encompassed a 4-mile march in full battle rattle and then firing the M-4 rifle for qualification. The objective was to qualify with an accelerated heart rate and fatigued muscles. I qualified, but barely. We also received training on Base Defense and Entry Control Point procedures. Base Defense consisted of establishing fields of fire, tower procedures, and quick reaction force response. The day was not bad at all since we were able to fire several hundred rounds against the OPFOR (Opposing Forces) role players. Additionally, we were trained on Traffic Control Point Procedures, Checkpoint Procedures and Detainee Operations. This training allows our Team to move into an area and once secured, establish points of control in order to maintain security. Detainee operations is not in our mission statement but in an area as fluid as Afghanistan, we may be called upon to respond to just about anything. I have to admit one of our most frustrating training days, termed “Base Fortification”. The day consisted of learning how to set up and concertina wire and then, perhaps most ridiculous, we “learned” how to fill sandbags and stack them on a wooden pallet. I was shocked they let me do this since I do not have “Shovel” on my military license, however I am now fully qualified in preparing and throwing sandbags. Our final training event was GACSTX, or Ground Assault Convoy Situational Exercise. It was a four day, crawl, walk, run training event that culminated in a live fire convoy exercise. On Day 2 and Day 3 of the training I was certainly put through my toughest days in the military. I was assigned to the tow bar team and the ground assault team on both days. The exercise called for our convoy to be hit by an IED and then receive contact from an ambush on our flank. We also had to treat wounded personnel and evac them to a MEDAVAC location, establishing a helicopter landing zone. Our three-man tow bar team was called upon to respond to the disabled vehicle, linking it with our own HUMVEE. The tow bar weighs over 200 pounds, dragging it out of the HUMVEE and to the disabled truck while under fire is a weeks worth of exercise. As part of the ground assault team, I responded to the ambush by forming up line and assaulting the enemy position. It was a blast. On Day 3 the fog of war resulted in only me and our First Sergeant being able to assault an ambush. The two of us formed up behind a berm and using individual movement tactics assaulted a four-man enemy position. Talk about an adrenaline rush! The live fire exercise included our crew served weapons (MK19, M2, and M240) firing live rounds at targets on the convoy range. Personnel were also provided live ammo to engage enemy targets. Our convoy was attacked by an IED on a bridge and it resulted in wounded personnel, including our doc. Again I was on the tow bar team, but soon found myself treating the wounded in the vehicle as a Combat Life Saver. It was an exhausting four day exercise. All of us worked our asses off and did extremely well. I was one of 59 soldiers and airmen who reacted with speed and efficiency. Our Team demonstrated outstanding teamwork and cohesion. One of the final challenges before the ARTEP was a storm that ripped through the FOB last week.  We were hit with winds clocked at 65mph, needless to say, tents did not fare to well.  Our Teams tents survived mostly intact but there were living tents that were literally blown off the FOB.  Our TOC (Tactical Operations Cell) was destroyed as well.  After all my years of camping, the storm was like nothing I have spent the night in before. 

With the ARTEP only lasting a few more hours, we are moving back to Fort Bragg within days. After moving to Fort Bragg we will turn in weapons and supplies and then we are off on our four day pass. I am looking forward to going home for a few days, hugging my wife and kids and relaxing. I will probably spend more than a few hours in our hot tub sipping on rum and cokes. This will be my last post until after pass, afterwards we will return to Fort Bragg with only a few days to make final preparations to depart for theater.

February 20, 2007

Week 6 and Beyond…..

Filed under: Deployment, Training at Fort Bragg — James Fleming @ 10:54 pm

Monday opened with training on the MK19 (Automatic Grenade Launcher) and the MK2 (.50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun).  We were given familiarization training and then allowed to fire the weapons on the electronic simulator.  

Tuesday was another great day on the range, this time the M9, 9mm pistol range.  It was easy on, easy off the range with 100% of our team qualifying the first time on the firing line.  I scored a perfect 30/30.  The range was again with pop-ups and even a 12 round “walk up” firing sequence…very cool.  We returned to the FOB this afternoon to prepare for our move back to the FOB later this week.  We are going to be joining with our infantry platoon later this week so the entire Task Force is being rearranged on the FOB to accomplish this.  

19 February 

Well, this blog entry is way late.  I have had my ass kicked by walking pneumonia and a cold I can’t shake.  On top of that, I have developed an inner ear problem that has challenged me and required a visit to a hospital, something I don’t do easily.  It appears I will have to have some simple surgery to correct the problem before I leave. 

Our training has not slowed at all.  Our team is now at full strength, with a platoon of infantry.  Our infantry come from an Army Guard unit in Arizona; they are a world class fighting unit.  Everyone one of them is a true professional and highly motivated to provide our security.  A young PFC told me the other day he is ready to take a bullet for any of us.  After being here with so many men and women from the Air Force, Army, and Navy, it is perfectly clear that our nation is continuing to answer the call to serve.  Regardless of the media’s portrayal of our President’s agenda, we are all here so that our kids don’t have to do this.  It is clear to us that by sacrificing now, we are protecting our families today and our children’s future.  

Our training has been more and more intense.  Our live fire exercises have increased.  Yesterday we completed the Buddy Team Live fire.  In two man units we advanced 700 meters (uphill) against pop-up targets engaging them with live rounds.  It was exhausting, but I have to admit, it was pretty damn cool.  We have also conducted mounted patrols in four vehicle convoys with blank fire.  We have a live fire convoy range coming up soon.  We have also trained in MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain).  We learned how to clear a room and building using the same techniques you see on TV in 3, 4, or 5 man teams. 

We have only 24 more days of training.  Each day is more and more challenging, we are tired, no more like, exhausted.  My body is worn out, but we find the energy to push on and drive through each challenge with zeal.  Yesterday my weapon had several malfunctions on the range so I became rather frustrated and charged up the hill cursing like an old soldier.  It has been an interesting experience so far with more ahead of us.  We want to get out of there and get downrange and do the mission.  Before I left I explained to James Robert (then 5 y/o) that Daddy was leaving so he could help the little boys and girls of Afghanistan have a better life and keep the bad guys away.  I told him that the bad guys don’t want little kids to be happy and they want to hurt us.  Each time I talk to him he asks if I have helped any boys or girls yet, and I answer no, I’m in training.  His questions and clarity in understanding why I’m gone is what pushes me.  It is a shame that our nation as a whole has moved past the events of 9/11.  As a nation we take for granted our comfort and security and thus we can move past 9/11 and look forward.  We must not forget that the comfort and security we enjoy is only made possible by the thousands of men and women serving in uniform.  

I am but one of hundreds here, each of us have our reasons for doing this mission.  Most of us, whether we volunteered or not, have realized the full impact we will have during our year in Afghanistan.  We will be changing people’s lives, and the future of an entire nation.  President Bush specifically mentioned the success of the PRT in Afghanistan during his 2007 Sate of the Union speech and wants to model it in Iraq.  We are effective, much more so than the kinetic forces.  I cannot wait to get there and “do good things”.  

 

February 4, 2007

Week #5

Filed under: Deployment, Training at Fort Bragg — James Fleming @ 11:40 pm

Our week started with ISOPREP briefings; another attention getter.  Spending 6 hours being briefed on our status of being High Risk Capture and completing cards for friendly forces to use to validate or identity in case we are captured or our remains are found was sobering.  For the new Air Force arrivals, they were a little shaken by the bluntness and sometimes shocking information. 

On Tuesday we attended Land Navigation training using to use a map and compass (hurray Boy Scout Skills), along with 6 and 8 digit map coordinates.  The afternoon was finished on how to use the DOD’s handheld GPS system, good training again.  We were then shocked to learn that we were to redeploy back to the “rear” (Fort Bragg) for an unknown time due to severe weather.  We moved into what we call the “crack houses”.  These are condemned World War II era barracks, but to us it was simply paradise after the weeks at the FOB.  The showers were hot and high pressured so we’re as happy as can be. 

Wednesday was the start of our weapons training.  We attended Laser Marksmanship Training and basic small arms training.  Our M-4 rifles come with a Close Combat Optic system that simply allows the shooter to place a red dot on his target and pull the trigger.  The beam is contained within the scope, all technical, but very cool.  The weather is already beginning to turn ugly; there is talk of ice, snow and freezing rain. 

Well, the forecasters weren’t kidding!  We had ½” of snow this morning, of course on our day to attend the range.  Conditions were at best, miserable.  Our troops were hearty and remained dedicated to firing and getting off the range.  We were soaked to the bone, our Gortex outerwear could not keep up with the constant wet weather and heavy protective gear.  The Army’s system of zeroing in a weapon is very detailed and time consuming.  We were on the firing points for several hours in the cold wet weather.  To say we were miserable was an understatement.  Most of us were able to zero our weapons, the remaining we will complete tomorrow.  Hopefully we can all qualify on the rifles tomorrow without delays. 

We returned to the ranges today, thankfully it was no longer raining but the bitter cold remained.  Qualification was difficult.  The Army has some awesome ranges, electronic scoring with pop up targets at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 meters.  You must score hits on 23 out of 40 rounds from the prone-supported, prone-unsupported, and kneeling positions.  It took me 200 rounds (5 attempts) to qualify finally.  Our team was only able to qualify about half our members.  At night we fired night qualification using our close combat optics and strobe lighted targets at 50 meters, this was much easier, I scored an 18 out of 20 hits. 

We had Warrior Task Training today covering claymore mines, combat field medicine, and mounted land navigation.  The claymore mine training was intense, learning to set up, arm, and fire the mines with a limited amount of time was tough.  Again, this was training we all hope we never have to use, but in case of contact with the enemy they are nasty little buggers to have on your side.  We are now using HUMVEES to transport our team to every training event, so every movement is a convoy operation.  Our team requires the use of 8 HUMVEES so we look pretty cool driving down the road with gunners in the hatches.  Our mounted land navigation course was the most fun we’ve had so far, they let us loose on the ranges and we went off-roading looking for the navigation points.  Of course, we were “forced” to look for all of the mud pits and difficult climbs in order to get to the objectives.  Riding in a HUMVEE with full battle rattle and Kevlar helmet is certainly a new way to off road.  We did lose one HUMVEE to poor guestimation of the depth of a “puddle”.  It got buried to its axel in mud, but nothing a little tow rope and second HUMVEE couldn’t fix. 

We once again returned to the range today to finish qualifying our team members.  We finished early and had most of the day to clean our weapons and perform barracks details.  We were able to get the troops to the base rec center to watch the Super Bowl so everyone was happy.  We are expecting to return to the FOB this week after the artic weather moves in…..we will miss our “plush” temp quarters…the hot water and daily showers will be sorely missed.

Week #4

Filed under: Deployment, Training at Fort Bragg — James Fleming @ 11:39 pm

My busiest week yet has started.  The main body of the team arrived yesterday and today the staff provided them briefings on our mission, FOB life, and staff functions.  The Team is highly motivated and seems eager to get started.  Most of the remaining team is junior enlisted personnel, but they are all volunteers and sought out this mission.  As each day passes, I find myself swelling with pride at how the world’s most powerful Air and Space Force handles the In Lieu of Taskings (ILO).  The ILO taskings are the deployments we are performing in place of Army personnel.  Nearly every single Airmen here not only volunteered for this mission, but many, like myself sought out the challenge.  We are by far the most highly motivated warriors on the ground here.  Am I biased, yes, but I would invite anyone to come and see for himself/herself. 

The weather is much improved; the days are warmer, about 50F and the lows remaining in the upper 30’s. We went through RFI, Rapid Fielding Initiative.  This is the equipment that the Army is fielding to the frontline troops.  We received the most modern combat helmet, body armor, and field gear.  Much to my chagrin however, we were issued several sets of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).  The uniforms are awesome for the battlefield.  They wear nicely and the pockets are placed where we will need them. 

Wow, it’s the end of the 4th week here and it was a blur.  Our S-3 (Operations Officer) and S-4 (Supply Officer arrived) so we are quickly forming our staff team with their arrival.  Our main body force has conducted training in Drivers Training and Combat Lifesaver Skills, so we are ready to begin training as a team this coming week.  The Team’s NCOIC is an active duty Sergeant First Class (E7) who is a combat veteran from Iraq assigned to a Stryker Brigade.  He’s a top notch NCO and has a real common sense approach to the training methods of our joint team. 

January 21, 2007

Week #3 – 15 - 21 January 2007

Filed under: Deployment, Training at Fort Bragg — James Fleming @ 8:35 pm

Monday we jumped right back into our Tactical Operations Cell staff training with a 8 hour operations planning exercise.  It was great stuff.  Being such a military guru was awesome; I think I may have surprised our Army brethren a bit by being able to quote the Principles of War and tactics.  We had to plan the mission, wargame it, and develop operational orders for our subordinate units.  Really great stuff!

 

Tuesday saw more operations training with lessons on how to develop map overlays and army graphic symbols.  Again, I scared my Army teammates since I knew how to read a map. When one asked me how I learned to read and orientate a map I told them I was an Eagle Scout.  They laughed and said it was good as any other training.  In the afternoon we had Army Problem Solving….something we almost laughed at for the hour given our living conditions and disorganized training schedule.  After chow we attended a class on Pre Combat Inspections, Pre-Combat Checks, and Troop Leading Procedures, again, all great stuff to make ourselves and our troops are ready to go outside the wire.

 

Wednesday was another light day in training.  Everything this week is more focused on preparing for the arrival of our main body.  The infantry who moved in last weekend are becoming a slight nuisance; they are tipping over the port-a-pottys and breaking into the laundry rooms.  In early February we will get our platoon and will begin integrated training with them. 

 

We awoke on Thursday to an ice encrusted tent.  The temp plummeted and the rain fell, creating sheets of ice on the outside of the tent.  It was cold.  Training was light again, but it focused on my particular duties as an S-1.  I spent the afternoon preparing briefing slides for when our main body arrives on Sunday.  The fourteen of us on the ADVON team are looking forward to their arrival so we can get down to the real nuts and bolts of why we’re here….becoming ground combatants.  I attend a seemingly endless series of meetings each night, usually getting conflicting information from each.  The Army certainly has their own way of doing things, but we’re adapting. 

 

Wow, another light day.  My commander wanted me to get the tent billets finalized and we’re rearranging bunk assignments for main body.  Our main body is mostly comprised of young enlisted troops so our work is cut out for us.  The night wasn’t as cold, we ran for PT today.  I escaped to Bragg to do some laundry; the next week will be my busiest as I inprocess the new arrivals and get them up to speed on life in FOB Patriot.  Each week we are taking a written test on materials covering Afghanistan and its recovery.  Tonight was our first such test and our team did well.  We have been playing Jeopardy and other games each night to review the material.

 

Our Commander cancelled PT this weekend as a morale booster.  Saturday morning was also our shower day so I was up early in order to capture a hot shower trailer and hot water, however only 50% came to pass.  Taking a nice hot shower in a very cold trailer is an interesting endeavor, but I am clean.  We’re going to begin moving into our new bunks today.  As part of my duties right now I have to attend a “Mayor’s Meeting” each evening with the Army SNCO who runs the FOB.  Each night we pass on our concerns/complaints/suggestions/gripes, etc and we get updates to the FOBs progress and other Quality of Life issues.  One of the longest running issues has been access to showers.  We have been told that the Army’s standard is one showerhead for every 12 soldiers.  At a recent meeting the Army E8 countered our concerns by stating that he had more than the required showers, by stating that 12 X 12 = 84….we sat in awe at his mathematical abilities and realized the root of our logistical shortcomings.  The next evening we asked about sandbags to anchor our tent walls from the rain and wind.  He reminded us that each tent took approximately 50 sandbags and that he had 500 of them ready for use and that would suffice.  He then stated that he had 90 tents, 50 sandbags per tent, so it came to 450 sandbags…..we once again simply stared at him and I piped up and asked, “Hey Sarge, I think you’re missing a zero in that calculation.”  He stared back, bewildered.  Amazing………..

 

The big day for the main body’s arrival is here.  We are now ready to fully begin our training.  The following days will be busy with uniform, weapon, and equipment issuing, then its full time ground combat skills training. 

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