Is it time for major force on force cold weather mountain training rotation?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:06:45 -0400

Currently working on some military tactics research regarding my master's and future doctorate. We have JRTC in Fort Polk, NTC in Fort Irwin, and ORTC (Idaho "ARNG"). I want to hear thoughts, and opinions if we should have one of these types of training scenarios for brigades in a cold weather and mountain environment. Switching to expeditionary warfare, and learning about our top two strongest adversaries I believe implementing training in this type of environment on a brigade level could prove essential. In example, the current skirmishes between China and India in the Himalayan region would prove to be an extremely difficult environment that the top 3 really do not emulate. I am by no means an expert in this, and that is why I pose this question. If anything is taken for research purposes from here no names will be used. Thank you everyone for the input.

Response by SFC Grant Ross made Aug 25 at 2020 8:30 PM

SFC Grant Ross — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:30:33 -0400

Go to JRMC in Germany, that’s some miserable box time!!! It has hills but the concept is force on force Soviet style shenanigans...

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Aug 25 at 2020 8:38 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:38:47 -0400

While I dont know what they do or the extent of the training but isn't that along the lines of what the Northern Warfare Training Center (part of Ft. Wainwright) in Black Rapids, Alaska focuses on? I know we (AF out of Eielson AFB) supported training ops (usually transpo and some logistics support) at that location on occassion.

Not exactly a convenient location to get to but they have a very nice training area to operate out of. That also doesn't include the land controlled by Ft. Wainwright East of Eielson AFB. I know in years past they used that land constantly for training force on force. Lots of land there but a bit short on the mountain side...more like steep hills until you get to the NWTC. A portion is for use by the AFB for pilot training. IIRC, all this land is part of roughly 2500 sq/miles of land for training US and allied forces, just a small portion of the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC).

I would definitely look at the JPARC and RED FLAG-Alaska, ARCTIC EDGE and NORTHERN EDGE Exercises if you want some good info to chew on. They usually do 3 or 4 large international exercises each fiscal year.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2020 8:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:42:06 -0400

Absolutely. I can’t think of a logical reason not to. Too be honest we should training centers environments to avoid being caught off guard

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 25 at 2020 11:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 23:05:41 -0400

Good Grief- we use to do Arctic training in Alaska, Ft McCoy, Wisconsin and Ft Drum,. NY.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 26 at 2020 2:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 14:03:27 -0400

Yes. We must indulge in realistic training to be able to conduct realistic AARs and find lessons learned. Finding out that M1 Tanks cant be started or Logistics will be hampered during a winter war is the wrong answer.