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http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=9565 Task force gives 'em Hellfire in exercise at Bosnia range By Ivana Avramovic, Stars and Stripes European edition, Sunday, July 21, 2002 -The soldiers took a break from peacekeeping to fire anti-tank guided Hellfire missiles, rockets and 50 millimeter rounds. “The training is an opportunity for the unit to stay proficient in its wartime missions,” said Lt. Col. A. Thomas Ball, commander of Task Force 1-25 out of Hawaii. -“We demonstrate that SFOR, despite our reductions, is still a very credible force able to ensure a safe and secure environment here in Bosnia. Our training is, in fact, a demonstration or a show of NATO’s resolve in this matter.” -“The skills that we have the opportunity to train out here will be critical,” McAuliffe said. “Because the next likely place we’re going to be sent will have live ordinance going both directions.” GLAMOC, Bosnia and Herzegovina — U.S. Army aviation troops in Bosnia, while on peacekeeping duty, brushed up on wartime skills last week. The training took place at Glamoc Range during Pacific Resolve II. The soldiers took a break from peacekeeping to fire anti-tank guided Hellfire missiles, rockets and 50 millimeter rounds. “The training is an opportunity for the unit to stay proficient in its wartime missions,” said Lt. Col. A. Thomas Ball, commander of Task Force 1-25 out of Hawaii. “We’re doing this while conducting our stability and support operations in Bosnia.” Ball said the six-day training at the range southwest of Eagle Base goes hand in hand with peacekeeping. “I feel they are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “In fact, they reinforce each other. “We demonstrate that SFOR, despite our reductions, is still a very credible force able to ensure a safe and secure environment here in Bosnia. Our training is, in fact, a demonstration or a show of NATO’s resolve in this matter.” The practice scenario was developed from actual events of the past. The mission was to rescue personnel and protect a weapons storage site from angry local soldiers who had not been paid for months. Mission accomplished. Conducting the training in Bosnia at Glamoc Range had many benefits for the task force from Hawaii. “Training opportunities in Glamoc are as good or better than what I have at home station,” Ball said. The range is a five-hour drive from Eagle Base, and it took less effort to move there than from Oahu Island to the Big Island of Hawaii, where the task force normally conducts exercises. All the necessary equipment was airlifted and driven to the range. No ships were needed. “My soldiers are already deployed and away from their families,” Ball said. “If I can conduct this training here before I return to Hawaii, this is a huge benefit.” At home, the troops face altitude- and long-distance-navigations restrictions, and limits on firing Hellfire missiles. “This is great training, excellent training,” said Lt. Jon Merkel, a Kiowa pilot. “We have an ample supply of ammo to execute the mission. The weather is agreeing with us.” Everything was accomplished in one day. Though it is unlikely that troops will have to use the Hellfire missiles and rockets while conducting peacekeeping duties in Bosnia, Capt. Dan McAuliffe, the intelligence officer for the task force, said training is crucial. “The skills that we have the opportunity to train out here will be critical,” McAuliffe said. “Because the next likely place we’re going to be sent will have live ordinance going both directions.” Ball was satisfied with the results his aviators showed. “I am extremely pleased because I will be bringing back [to Hawaii] an aviation task force that’s better trained and more proficient than I brought to Bosnia.” __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
