Combatives, DARWARS, Crew Served Weapons

Hello - the classes continue.



On Saturday, our most interesting class was a combatives class. This can be described as a 4 hour wrestling practice (At least as I would imagine it since I played B-ball). We learned how to subdue an opponent and move into positions that would give us a better chance of "finishing" the fight. We also learned multiple choke holds. We then had 3 rounds of 2 minutes with an opponent - this was pretty exhausting. For the old guys this caused significant soreness the next day. It was interesting though.



On Sunday, our most interesting class was called DARWARS. This was a computer software package where we were able to virtually move ourselves, drive vehicles and shoot in response to being attacked in a convoy. The graphics were pretty incredible and we were able to complete many iterations and then discuss our response. One iteration of the same training on the ground would have taken hours to complete. It was also interesting.



Today, we had orientation to crew served weapons. Crew served weapons refers to the bigger weapons that take more than one person to operate. We received orientation on the M40 and M49B (me below) machine guns and the M2 .50 Cal gun. We were then taken to a simulator in full gear and were able to "fire" all of the weapons at targets to further familiarize ourselves with how it responds. I found out that I would need alot more training and experience to be effective with these weapons.





All is going fine here. The weather broke on Sunday and it has been 70 and breezy - this is a far cry from 92 and humid that we had during last weeks training. The team is getting along fine and we we are looking forward to finishing this phase so that we can get to our location and get to doing our job. Until next time......

Afghanistan Familiarization and Humvee Training

Greetings again. The training continues and better yet I continue to have some time and the resources to keep you posted. Yesterday we had an Afghanistan awareness brief were a former national ( now a PFC in our Army) gave us a historical and cultural brief on Afghanistan. It was striking to be reminded of the sad history that the people have had to endure and just how destitute the people really are. He feels that the Afghan people see a difference with this "occupation" because we are trying to improve the country and not just use it for its geographic significance.

The second part of the day was IED (Improvised Explosive Device) training. This was an eye opener. We viewed videos captured by us and published by the enemy of roadside bombs - we discussed strategies, tactics, patterns and the soldiers response to the attack. The view here is to hit you between the eyes with this information as a way to have you process the information. In my job, the team in place has had no reason to leave the base - but this training certainly gives you an appreciation for the Army and Marines who do this everyday.

Today we had uparmored Humvee training. It has been a while since I was in a Humvee during my Army days - they sure have changed. We got familiarized with them and got to drive them through a short course. I have included a picture of me in the gunner's hatch for fun. We also learned about the new vehicles being used by our forces to better defeat the IED's. These vehicles are not very attractive, but heavy and effective against roadside attacks.

This has been great training so far. I have been impressed with the equipment and improvements being made to help soldiers on the battlefield. The instructors have all been motivated, knowledgeable and professional. I have been comforted that this mission is meaningful and important.

Until next time....

Combat Lifesaver and HEAT Training

Greetings. The weather has turned hot and I have found that I am quite the "sweater". I'm not sure if it is age or weight, but I'm sure it is not the hair :) I just completed a four day Combat Lifesaver Course. It was pretty intense. We received training on how to treat casualties on the battlefield to include giving someone any IV.


Here is my leader and friend LtCol Pollock giving me an IV after I gave him one. Luckily, mine went went so there was no hint of retribution.

Today to graduate, we operated as combat lifesavers on a simulated battlefield. There were simulated explosions from morters and there were simulated casualties. We were in full battle gear and it was 88 degrees and humid - needless to say, I sweat through my uniform and armor vest. That being said it was a good exercise to gain confidence and I am actually getting used to the heavy gear already- amazing. I am happy that we have completed that phase though.

We also received training on how to successfully get out of a Humvee that has flipped over. We were put in a trainer that is exactly like a Humvee in full battle gear and buckled in. They rotated us 30 degrees to let us know where the critical point was - this is steeper than I thought and I was being held in by the seatbelt. They then rotated us 90 degrees, now I am hanging by the seatbelt. The last part is to flip us 180 degrees. We yell rollover, rollover, rollover and put your hands up. Once you are told that you are done rotating the goal is to release your seatbelt without smashing your head, get your legs and body flipped over until you are sitting on the ceiling, gather your weapon and gear (luckily they were foam for this or we would have been hurting) and then get oriented and exit the vehicle. This was again more challenging than I imagined. At first I could not get my feet out between the pedals and steering wheel, then I had trouble orienting myself to the door locations. I survived though, and it was a good experience. Below are some pics. If you look close, you may be able to see the seats upside down.

Until next time ....

Training Has Begun

FET team 3 ( The day before battle gear)

Greetings. Training has begun. We got our issue of equipment and are now required to wear it everyday. If the picture makes the equipment look heavy and hot - it is. ( I am on the far right in the back row in the picture below) They say that one of the goals of training is to get used to it - I hope so because I sweat all the way through a uniform today in 3 hrs. We also carry our weapons with us to every training event and have to rehearse clearing them every time we enter a building - this is again to get us ready for the theater. Fellow team member, Pete Keegan from NY, and myself decided after today's training that the hair must go. Please enjoy the pictures and this update. I am doing fine so far and will try to keep you posted - no promises. So, until next time.....

Mailing Address

My Mailing Address while at Fort McCoy is:

Major Todd Hirneisen
USAF/602 TRG (P), DET 7
1868 Regimental Ave
Ft McCoy, WI 54656-5234

Made it to Fort McCoy

Well, I made it to Fort McCoy. The dragging of the bags and two weapons in a weapons case was a little bit of a pain, but we made it. We inprocessed today, and that was pretty painless. I have included a picture of my living arrangements - open bay barricks with a shared bathroom. I have aslo included a picture of my first day at school. It gets more painful tomorrow when we receive our kevlar helmets, body armor and have to add the mask to the mix. It will be a little uncomfortable to get around and a little hot when outside. I am with a great group of guys and we have decided to look at it as a reality gameshow for 23 days. As always, not sure when my next post will be. Until then .....

Todd

Pictures of where I will be working and living

I am gearing up to go. First stop, Combat Skills Training in Wisconsin. Next stop, Afghanistan. I received some pictures from the team already in place from our unit. These pictures are of the current living conditions, working conditions and the "boardwalk". The "boardwalk" is where the international organizations have set up shops. The most interesting picture is the hockey rink where there are floor hockey games every night - at least that is what I am told. Sorry for the poor quality, I will work on getting clearer pics :)

I look forward to communicating with you all. I'm not sure what method will work depending on computer and computer site access. But, I will be in contact via e-mail.

Thanks

Todd

Welcome to my blog

I am writing this from the comfort of my home. I am leaving for Wisconsin in mid-June and then deploy to Afghanistan from mid-July to mid-January. I plan to make postings to this site regularly from my deployment locations (depending on availability and security). I am hopeful that it works out and I can take you along for the ride.

Todd