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Recreating Iraqi warfare in the Far North

May- 8-2008 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

Thanks to Latanya for the story, which also includes video.

by Angela Blanchard, KTUU News

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- It's not the Middle East but a state-of-the-art training center at Ft. Wainwright comes pretty close.

When all is said and done it provides soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade the training they'll need when it comes time for the real thing.

The 1st Strykers will soon be deploying to Iraq and to prepare they're enduring a third and final high-intensity training day, in which dozens of men prove their muster and preparedness.

Their mission: a half-dozen Stryker vehicles carrying about nine soldiers each will spread throughout a simulated Iraqi town called Balad Ruz, searching for the enemy while protecting one another.

They have to be observant and careful not to potentially get caught in crossfire.

"As far as the sights and sounds it's as realistic as we can probably get it," Col. Bert Thompson said.

The soldiers fire blank rounds in training and guns atop their vehicles aren't firing. One shot, though, could level a building.

"Obviously what can't be simulated realistically would be casualties, deaths and serious injuries," Col. Thompson said.

Still, Col. Thompson is noting every costly mistake -- and every success -- as the men continue their mission. [...]


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