BLOCS Quick Eject Tourniquet Carrier (BQETC)

Seconds count on the battlefield. In an emergency situation, soldiers need to get to their tourniquets quickly and effectively.

The Need:

• Blood loss one of the main causes of death on the battlefield.

• Soldiers not being able to access their tourniquets quickly.

• Soldiers removing their tourniquets from the plastic wrapping and tying them to their uniforms with rubber bands or aircraft ties, exposing tourniquets to the elements. Metal pieces of tourniquet are rusting and other pieces are getting contaminated by mud, dust, rain, and moisture, rendering the tourniquets ineffective.

The Answer:

BLOCS Quick Eject Tourniquet Carrier (BQETC)

(3) main features that other products do not offer:

1. Quick Access

2. Protection from the elements (mud, rain, oil, dust)

3. Versatile Velcro® mounting

More details:

• One-handed release for quick and easy access.

• Protective, water resistant, Pack Cloth covering, keeps tourniquet in the plastic as designed and safe from the elements (dust, mud, blood, oil, rain, etc.), for maximum sterility and effectiveness.

• Versatile velcro mounting system, can be mounted almost anywhere on the uniform for operator preference (including MOLLE straps, belt, shoulder straps, arm bands, etc.)

• Extremely lightweight yet sturdy, uses all MIL SPEC materials

• Moves the tourniquet out of the IFAK/cargo pocket/medical pouch to the front of the uniform where it can be accessed quickly and easily.

First In Last Out - The Army's Scouts

Ιn the dense jungles, they move like a panther waiting to pounce on its prey. Operating close to enemy lines, stealth is key to their survival. 

The Army's recce troopers or Scouts, are a bunch of highly trained and specialised, little known unit that provides valuable information on the enemy within an area of operation, information that can decide the outcome of a battle. 

In this video, we take a look at what the Scouts do and how they are trained to operate in a volatile and challenging environment.

Congressional: Birthplace of Special Forces and the CIA

What a fascinating read Sunday about the secret history of Congressional Country Club and the formation of the Office of Strategic Services.

From Bill Pennington in The New York Times:

During World War II, the club’s more than 400 acres about 12 miles outside Washington had been leased to the United States government to serve as the training ground for America’s first intelligence agency, the forerunner to the C.I.A. and American Special Forces.

“We came out of the tent and thought, ‘Hey, country club living,’ ” Civitella said. “But we were wrong; it was no country club life.”

In fact, another O.S.S. veteran, Alex MacDonald, later called the training at Congressional “malice in wonderland.”

The practice range became a rifle range, and bunkers were used for grenade practice. The dense wooded areas were perfect for nighttime commando exercises, and an obstacle course, set with booby traps, stretched across the first and second holes. Hand-to-hand combat was taught next to a mock fuselage from which paratroopers learned to jump. Men crawled on their bellies across fairways sprayed with live machine gun fire, and the greens made excellent targets for mortar practice. So did the caddie shack and every rain shelter on the course.

“We literally just blew the place up,” said Al Johnson, who, like most of the living O.S.S. veterans — there are about 200 — is in his late 80s.

When the world’s best golfers play Congressional this week in Bethesda, Md., little evidence of the mayhem that preceded them by more than 65 years will remain. After the war, the federal government restored the course to its original splendor. Golf shots replaced gunshots.

Πηγή

How Elite Forces throttled LTTE

By Brigadier Nirmal Dharmaratne

(Excerpts from a paper the brigadier presented at the Colombo military seminar on Defeating Terrorism — The Sri Lankan experience this week)

It is very unlikely, that the military history of the only nation that has won a counter insurgency campaign in the twenty first century would be complete, without the story of its Elite Forces. The special operations community is represented by the finest fighting outfit of the Sri Lanka Army, organized into two Regiments, namely the Commandos and Special Forces. These Special Operations Forces operating from the sharp end of strategy through to the operational level and at times tactical level, executing a multitude of missions, spearheaded the campaign. Striking at the terrorists leadership in the depth of the LTTE controlled areas, destroying and disrupting their reserves and indirect fire weapon systems in the mid battle space, and at times counter attacking to restore critical defences, these Elite Forces made a seamless contribution to the success of this campaign which is unparalleled in the history of counter insurgency.

HISTORY

Commandos were raised in 1980 as a Direct-Action and Counter Terror Force whereas the Special Forces were raised in 1985 to conduct unconventional warfare and operations in remote, rural and urban environments, both overt and covert. Due to the nature of the conflict and their continuous employment over the years, both forces became highly effective and versatile in the conduct of counter guerrilla and counter insurgent warfare, waged in jungle, remote and urban environments. Skills were diversified and capabilities in long range patrolling, waterborne and hele-borne operations, Anti-Highjack & Hostage Rescues operations, sniping, combat riding and demolitions were acquired, developed, mastered and finally applied successfully in combat.

EASTERN THEATRE OF OPEARTION

It is significant to note that in the East a complete different operational concept was adopted by the army as against its concept in the North. The Elite Forces were employed to spearhead the thrusts directed by infantry units against the LTTE. The factors influenced in deciding such a concept were the dispersed enemy dispositions and thick forest with overhead canopy that is commonly found in the East. The operations were designed to fight the LTTE with the Elite Forces spanning out in small teams, ahead of infantry battalions, gathering information and eroding LTTE combat power through a series of well-coordinated attacks, over an extended period thus pulling the battalions to the decisive point on the battlefield. This process was repeated in stages. By applying this design the military operations in the Eastern theatre were conducted in two phases; phase one was to capture the LTTE controlled areas north of the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa road by Special Forces affiliated with some infantry battalions and the phase two was to capture the LTTE-controlled areas south of that road by Commandos supported by some infantry units.

NORTHERN THEATRE OF OPEARTION

When the humanitarian operations were extended to the North, the Elite Forces were employed to operate across the entire width and depth of the Wanni (Northern) operational theatre. Their tasks ranged from long range patrols to small group operations behind enemy lines, strike operations to rescue operations and conventional operations to unconventional operations. While Long Range Patrols conducted strategically important operations deep into enemy territory such as gaining targets for air strikes and artillery, ambushing LTTE movements, particularly their leaders and threatening their lines of communication, the remaining Elite Forces were employed to operate up to about 20 km from the Forward Line of Own Troops, mainly in support of close operations of the infantry Divisions and Brigades, thus considerably denied freedom of movement to LTTE in their rear.

SPECIAL FORCES SHAPING BATTLEFIELD

The advantages gained in the battlefield by successful operations of the Elite Forces were well-exploited by infantry. Their achievements are given below under several headings.

Attrition: While infantry formations closely engaged with the LTTE the Elite Forces infiltrated through the LTTE positions and carried out concentrated attacks and caused severe damage to them. This forced the LTTE to thin out their cadres who had been engaged with the advancing infantry thus making their defeat inevitable. The Elite Forces have proved their capability of destroying a considerable number of LTTE cadres in a given area prior to infantry units reaching their objectives. It is also significant that towards the very end of the battle the Elite Forces being employed to mop-up the area resorted to precision targeting and destroyed almost all the remaining LTTE leadership.

Flank Protection: Protection of flanks of infantry divisions was one of the main tasks that had been entrusted with the Elite Forces. As infantry formations advanced forward by liberating areas their flanks were extended and became vulnerable. The Elite Forces operated away from these flanks and prevented enemy getting close to them. A classic example for this is that when the 57 Division was leaning on Kilinochchi and the defence line of the Task Force-2 had stretched to its limits, the army had a somewhat peculiar defence configuration with over 50 km open flank which was very vulnerable. The effective domination of this flank by the Elite Forces ensured that both divisions were able to capture their objectives without much interference from their flanks.

Counter Penetration Tasks: Following are a few instances where the Elite Forces prevented certain collapse of troops' defences and LTTE regaining initiative. (a) In one instance, just after 572 Brigade captured Thampanai stronghold and resumed advance towards Madhu the LTTE launched a major counter offensive and pushed the Brigade about 2 km south. The LTTE threatened to penetrate even further ensuing fierce fighting in the area. Immediately, two squadrons of Special Forces were rushed to the area and countered LTTE penetration and regained the control after two days of intense fighting.

(b) In another instance, during late January 2009, when the Army was poised to encircle Visuamadhu and Puthukudiyiruppu areas held by the LTTE, with 7 Divisions fighting their way through, forces estimated that the LTTE would concentrate its force at one point and attempt to breakout into Muthiyankaddu jungles in order to escape to the south. To counter this probability the Elite Forces were deployed strategically behind infantry frontages. This contingency paid off three times in later stages as the LTTE launched three fierce counter offensives to break into the jungles. The fiercest of the three was the the LTTE counter offensive south of Puthukudiyiruppu, where after the 593 Brigade had been completely defeated and pushed back about 5 km by the LTTE, the Special Forces were deployed in time to halt the LTTE thrusts and they fought back gallantly and regained control. It is to be noted that Puthukudiyiruppu counterattack by the LTTE nearly collapsed the entire defence line. Due to timely and right employment of Special Forces a disaster was averted.

Destruction of Strong Points: There were certain instances where progress of the infantry advance was impeded or literally halted by well-fortified LTTE strong-points. As a last resort, the Elite Forces were called to overcome these strong-points. In one such instance, in West of Thampanai, 572 brigade failed to overcome the LTTE strong-point that fell along its axis. Special Forces raided this strong-point killing 18 terrorists and capturing the area after which infantry progressed unimpeded.

Rescue Operations: On 29 September 2008, the LTTE raided the Anuradhapura Air Force base using their elites, the black tigers. Two LTTE aircraft bombed the base at the same time. A squadron of Special Forces was reinforced from Vavuniya with the task of halting further exploitation of the terrorist attack. Special Forces teams manoeuvred in to the area and successfully accomplished the mission killing the remaining terrorists and regained control.

Isolation of LTTE Positions: In many battles, the Elite Forces conducted a series of concentrated attacks behind LTTE forward positions focused on isolating the infantry's objectives or achieving dislocation effect, thereby creating favourable conditions for infantry to capture those areas. Capturing of LTTE stronghold at Madhu by 572 Brigade would not have been possible if not for Special Forces teams cutting off terrorists' supply lines leading from Palampiddi and Giants Tank areas and isolating the Madhu area.

Leading Infantry to Positions: Here are some examples:

(a) Throughout the Vidathaltivu battle, Commandos operating ahead of infantry columns constantly engaged with the LTTE during day time and moved forward at night stealthily and occupied blocking positions. The next morning the infantry linked up. This process was repeated until the capture of the entire Vidathaltivu area.

(b) In the Akkarayankulam battle, Special Forces guided the infantry columns in a night move up to pre-designated forward locations.

Break-out Battles. Whenever the operations reached a crucial or a decisive point the Special Operations Forces had a major role to play. It was the Commandos and the Special Forces who spearheaded the infantry columns in the biggest ever rescue operation conducted in Pudumatalan by rupturing enemy defences from two different locations and opening up two break-in points.

Deep Operations: The art of Long Range Patrolling is a stunning tactical part that can be regarded as the most dreadful operational pattern in special operations. Such teams are the combination of multi-skilled individuals in brunt actions. They are well trained and motivated to conduct deep operations in small groups independently without re-supply for an extended duration, up to about 20 days or more depending on 'Caches'. When offensives began in the Northern theatre, troops were initially inducted from Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya areas.

These were the furthest points from the LTTE headquarters and their main bases in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Terrorists had a greater freedom of movement within the area in between. Long Range Patrols or 'LRPs' as they are commonly known, executed a long-term well-coordinated programme to deny this freedom to the LTTE. LRPs slowly but surely established their long-term surveillances and caches in the area and updated the intelligence picture. Then they began strikes dealing a devastating blow to the LTTE. They killed a number of top-level LTTE leaders thereby distanced their fighting cadres from their leaders causing a major setback to the LTTE top leadership. To counter the threat paused by the LRPs the LTTE deployed thousands of their cadres in their rear. Following are some of the aspects considered during planning an execution of deep operations LRP operations.

Gaining intelligence by own: The LRPs depended mostly on their own intelligence to plan operations. Collection of information is done through tactical manoeuvring in the LTTE areas for days and months. Acquired information is preserved in an Intelligent Cell and detailed continuation of study had been maintained before selecting targets. Advancement in modern technology had been an added advantage to determine targets. Rather than relying much on electronic means unless other than satellite images, the clandestine ways of information collection were carried out by LRPs and that was a tremendous success in the field.

Laying Caches: Due to the scarcity of water resources in the operational area and also the inability to re-supply by air the LRPs depended heavily on caches. Cache Operations which preceded other LRP operations gained constant continuity of operations deeply in the enemy-held territory throughout the campaign. Caches contained mainly rations, medicine, water and ammunition. The concept was to have caches established in almost every four square kilometres to cater for planned operations and for emergency situations.

Surveillance Sites: The ground itself is a surveillance pit to the LRPs. It had been done while merging with the surrounding and in instances soldiers lay in one position for days observing the enemy. In most occasions the Elite Forces established surveillance posts well ahead of the fighting divisions on likely approaches of the LTTE and provided valuable information.

Teams in Close Proximity for Mutual Support: LRP operations were deliberately planned to have their patrols methodically spinning from one range of operation to another range changing missions but not the modus operandi. It is a cycle of operations and they had constant circular affiliation towards each other. One team which confronts enemy may instantly find a team on a surveillance mission replacing another team on a Cache mission. Hence the LRP missions were launched in such a timeframe that the patrols were able to help each other in an emergency.

Close Coordination with Air Force: It is no secret that the Sri Lanka Air Force operated closely and directly with the LRPs. A very good understanding between pilots and LRP team leaders was achieved through joint exercises. It was a standard operational procedure that the Air Force maintained a dedicated rescue fleet of helicopters whenever LRPs were out on daring missions. LRPs experienced five emergency situations, where they either sustained casualty, or got cut off. In all these situations, Air Force assistance were sought to save the lives of these patrols. All air rescue missions ended successfully.

CONCLUSION

The whole sequence of innovative application of military power, blending conventional and unconventional concepts designed to defeat the LTTE at his own game, paved the way for victory. The Elite Forces of the Army, deployed at the sharp end of the strategy took the fight to the depth and safe areas of the LTTE, their leadership and critical assets and finally, to the minds of the LTTE. Special Operations Forces facilitated the military effort and created the conditions for the successful outcome of the campaign.

Πηγή

Η απαγωγή του στρατηγού Κράιπε

Η μυθιστορηματική επιχείρηση κατά του Γερμανού διοικητή των δυνάμεων κατοχής της Κρήτης από τον Πάτρικ Λη Φέρμορ

Ο Πάτρικ Λη Φέρμορ (11 Φεβρουαρίου 1915 - 10 Ιουνίου 2011) έφυγε πρόσφατα, πλήρης ημερών. Ο δρόμος του ήταν μακρύς, «γεμάτος περιπέτειες, γεμάτος γνώσεις». Επέλεξε την Καρδαμύλη της Μάνης σαν μια από τις Ιθάκες του και έζησε εκεί πολλά ευτυχισμένα χρόνια. Ο «Πάντυ» ήταν η βρετανική εκδοχή του ελληνικού «καλός καγαθός», ένας περιπετειώδης Κέλτης που ανακάλυψε τον κόσμο, όπως οι αρχαίοι πρόγονοί του βαδίζοντας από τη βορειοδυτική στη νοτιοανατολική Ευρώπη. Οι θεοί των κελτικών δασών τον προίκισαν με τις αρετές των μυθικών ηρώων. Ηταν ατρόμητος, ωραίος, ταλαντούχος και γενναιόψυχος. Οι εθελοντικές υπηρεσίες του προς τη βρετανική Special Operations Executive κατά τη διάρκεια του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, περιλαμβάνουν και τη μυθιστορηματική απαγωγή, τον Μάιο του 1944, του Γερμανού στρατηγού Χάινριχ Κράιπε, διοικητή των δυνάμεων κατοχής της Κρήτης. Η επιτυχία του γέμισε όλους τους Συμμάχους με ενθουσιασμό. Ο ίδιος διηγήθηκε αργότερα την περιπέτεια αυτή με τα λόγια που δημοσιεύουμε εδώ σήμερα.

Θάνος Bερεμης

Του Patrick Leigh Fermor

Τα Ανώγεια, το μεγαλύτερο χωριό στην Κρήτη, ήταν πολύ απομακρυσμένα και απομονωμένα για μια μόνιμη φρουρά. Ψηλά στις βόρειες πλαγιές του Ορους Ιδη, αποτελούν το κλειδί για όσους θέλουν να διασχίσουν αυτόν τον μεγάλο όγκο. Φημισμένα για το ανεξάρτητο πνεύμα τους, την ιδιομορφία τους σε ένδυση και προφορά, ήταν για μας πάντοτε ένα σπουδαίο κρησφύγετο. Την προηγούμενη χρονιά, ο Μάικ Στόκμπριτζ και εγώ είχαμε βαφτίσει την κόρη του γενναίου τοπικού καπετάνιου Στεφανογιάννη Δραμουντάνη και έτσι γίναμε κουμπάροι του. Είχε σκοτωθεί -τον πυροβόλησαν ενώ προσπαθούσε να δραπετεύσει, πηδώντας πάνω από έναν τοίχο με τα χέρια του δεμένα- μετά την περικύκλωση του χωριού από τους Γερμανούς. Αλλά εγώ ήξερα ότι μπορούσαμε να βρούμε όση υποστήριξη χρειαζόμασταν από τους συγγενείς του και τους οπαδούς του, και από τον διάδοχό του στη διοίκηση, τον καπετάν Μιχάλη Ξυλούρη. Εμείς, ο Γιώργης Τυράκης κι εγώ, ανεβαίναμε το βουνό μέχρι τα Ανώγεια όλη τη νύχτα, και όταν φτάσαμε σε εκείνους τους ανεμοδαρμένους βράχους, λουσμένους από το φως της αυγής, φορούσα ακόμη γερμανική στολή...

Η ανάβαση ήταν κοπιώδης -ο στρατηγός είχε δεχτεί ένα άσχημο χτύπημα στο πόδι κατά τη διάρκεια της πάλης στο αυτοκίνητο- αλλά ασφαλής. Τώρα είχαν βρει καταφύγιο σε μια χαράδρα ένα με δύο μίλια μακριά. Τους είχε σταλεί στα κρυφά ένα καλάθι με τρόφιμα και εγώ επρόκειτο να τους συναντήσω αφού θα είχε σκοτεινιάσει, με έναν οδηγό και ένα μουλάρι για τον στρατηγό...

Μία ώρα μετά τη δύση του ήλιου οι δυο ομάδες μας είχαν σμίξει ξανά και ανηφορίζαμε έναν ελικοειδή και απότομο κατσικόδρομο που μόλις διακρινόταν. Πάνω σε ένα μουλάρι ανάμεσά μας, τυλιγμένος, για προστασία από το κρύο, με το φαιοπράσινο πανωφόρι χωροφυλακής του Στρατή, με τον Μανώλη στο πλευρό του, προχωρούσε ο στρατηγός ή μάλλον, ο Θεόφιλος: οι λέξεις «Κράιπε» ή «στρατηγός» ήταν απαγορευμένες ήδη από την Κασταμονίτσα. Ο Μπίλλυ μου είπε ότι είχαν έναν συναγερμό για Γερμανούς στη διάρκεια της ημέρας και είχαν μεταφέρει την κρυψώνα τους. Ισως ο συναγερμός είχε σημάνει επειδή με είδανε από μακριά, από πάνω από τα Ανώγεια, ντυμένο με γερμανική στολή, και τον Γιώργη φανερά οπλισμένο και με στολή εκστρατείας, που δεν ήταν όμως ευδιάκριτη, καθώς ο μαύρος του μπερές ήταν χωμένος στην τσέπη του. Ο στρατηγός, είπαν όλοι, είχε φανεί λογικός και συνεργάσιμος· η μεγαλύτερη έγνοια του -την οποία μου επανέλαβε όταν για πρώτη φορά σταματήσαμε για τσιγάρο στα βράχια- ήταν η απώλεια του Σταυρού του των Ιπποτών του Σιδηρού Σταυρού, ένα παράσημο που φοριέται γύρω από τον λαιμό. Του είπα ότι πιθανόν να βγήκε στην πάλη· ίσως είχε βρεθεί κατά την εκκαθάριση, στην οποία περίπτωση θα φρόντιζα να του επιστραφεί, και με ευχαρίστησε...

Σύντομα ήμασταν στη σπηλιά του Ξυλούρη, τριγυρισμένοι από αντάρτες που μας καλωσόριζαν...

Εκεί, επίσης, βρισκόταν ένα κεφάτο τρίο Αγγλων συναδέλφων. Ο Τζων Χάουσμαν, ένας νεαρός υπολοχαγός στους Κόλπους, ο Τζων Λιούις, με στιβάνια και γένια, και, σαν από θαύμα, ο ασυρματιστής του Τομ Ντάνμπαμπιν και ο ασύρματός του. Είχε πληροφορηθεί, μέσω Καΐρου, για τα μηνύματά μας στον Σάντυ, και ο Τομ είχε στείλει τον σταθμό ασυρμάτου του στο Ορος Ιδη για να μας βοηθήσει. Το πρόβλημα που είχαμε στις επικοινωνίες είχε λυθεί. Με χαρά έγραψα ένα σήμα, κάνοντας γνωστά τα νέα, προτρέποντας σε δράση του BBC και της RAF και ζητώντας ένα πλοίο σε όποιον ορμίσκο βόλευε το Ναυτικό νότια του Ορους Ιδη, αλλά κατά προτίμηση στα Σαχτούρια. Ευτυχώς ένα προγραμματισμένο πλοίο για Κάιρο έφθανε σύντομα· θα μπορούσαμε να περιμένουμε εκεί, να τακτοποιηθούμε με την ησυχία μας, να διασχίσουμε την Ιδη, να ξεγλιστρήσουμε στη θάλασσα, και μετά από εκεί για την Αίγυπτο. Με λίγη τύχη, το BBC θα έπειθε τον εχθρό ότι είχαμε φύγει, περιορίζοντας την αντίδρασή τους σε μία συμβολική επίδειξη δύναμης ή ακόμη και τίποτα.

Ηταν μία μέρα συναντήσεων. Τα κιάλια μας εντόπισαν τρεις φιγούρες να έρχονται από τα ανατολικά: τους δύο Αντώνηδες (Ζωιδάκη και Παπαλεωνίδα) και τον Γρηγόρη Καναράκη, αλλά χωρίς τον οδηγό του αυτοκινήτου. Αρχισα να ανησυχώ. Ολοι μας -δηλαδή η ανασυγκροτημένη ομάδα απαγωγής- πήγαμε παράμερα, ανάμεσα στους ογκόλιθους. «Δεν γινόταν αλλιώς, κύριε Μιχάλη», μου εξήγησε ο Αντώνης Ζωιδάκης, δίνοντάς μου ένα γερμανικό ατομικό βιβλιάριο και μερικές ξεθωριασμένες οικογενειακές φωτογραφίες. Ηταν πολύ αναστατωμένος. Τον Χανς, τον οδηγό, τον είχαν αφήσει μισοαναίσθητο, τον φουκαρά. Μπορούσε να περπατήσει μόνο με την ταχύτητα χελώνας. Σχεδόν τον κουβάλησαν διά μέσου της πεδιάδας μέχρι τους ανατολικούς πρόποδες· μετά, το απόγευμα, ξεκίνησε το ανθρωποκυνηγητό: άνδρες του μηχανοκίνητου πεζικού είχαν κατέβει από τα οχήματά τους σε όλα τα χωριά γύρω από τις ανατολικές πλαγιές των βουνών και άρχιζαν να ανεβαίνουν τη λοφοπλαγιά σε ανοιχτό σχηματισμό. Αν άφηναν πίσω τους τον οδηγό και τον πρόφταιναν οι Γερμανοί, όλο το σχέδιο, και το παραμύθι περί συμμετοχής μη ντόπιων, θα ξεσκεπαζόταν· ολόκληρη η περιοχή θα ερημωνόταν από τις φλόγες και τις σφαγές· αν έμεναν μαζί του, οι ίδιοι θα συλλαμβάνονταν. Απέμενε μονάχα ένα πράγμα· ο εχθρός βρισκόταν πολύ κοντά για να διακινδυνεύσουν τον κρότο ενός όπλου· πώς τότε; Ο Αντώνης έγειρε επίμονα μπροστά, έβαλε το ένα χέρι στη φιλντισένια λαβή του κρητικού του μαχαιριού με το ασημένιο θηκάρι και, με το πλάι του άλλου του χεριού, έκανε μία σφοδρή κοψιά στον αέρα. «Τον εξαφνιάσαμε. Σε μια στιγμή». «Δεν κατάλαβε τίποτα», είπε ένας από τους άλλους. Υπήρχε μια βαθιά σχισμή πρόχειρη και πολλές πέτρες· δεν θα τον έβρισκαν ποτέ. «Κρίμας. Φαινότανε καλός άνθρωπος, κι ας ήτανε Γερμανός»...

Ο αγγελιοφόρος έφερε νέα για κινήσεις στρατευμάτων στο Τυμπάκι, στις Μέλαμπες, στο Σπήλι και στους Αρμένους· στήλες σκόνης κατευθύνονταν προς το Ορος Ιδη από το γεμάτο φρουρές σεληνιακό τοπίο της Μεσαράς· αναγνωριστικά αεροσκάφη διασκορπίζονταν πάνω από τους νότιους πρόποδες. Ενας δρομέας από τα Ανώγεια έφερε αναφορές για πανομοιότυπες κινήσεις του εχθρού στα βόρεια: φορτηγά ξεφόρτωναν πεζικό σε όλους τους πρόποδες προς τα δυτικά, μέχρι τη σπουδαία Μονή Αρκαδίου (ένα περιβόητο λημέρι όλων των φίλων μας μέχρι που προδόθηκε), όπου τα γερμανικά στρατεύματα είχαν βομβαρδίσει τον ηγούμενο Διονύσιο και τους μοναχούς του με την ίδια ερώτηση που ρωτούσαν παντού: «Πού είναι ο στρατηγός Κράιπε;». Ομως μέχρι στιγμής, και αντίθετα από το αναμενόμενο, σημειώθηκε ελάχιστη βία, λίγες συλλήψεις, κανένας πυροβολισμός. Υπήρχε μια αχτίδα ελπίδας, την οποία απέδωσα στο γράμμα που είχα αφήσει για τις γερμανικές αρχές, το οποίο έλεγε ότι αυτόν τον Βρετανό κομάντο τον οδηγούσαν Ελληνες τακτικοί στρατιώτες που υπηρετούσαν στη Μέση Ανατολή...

Για τον στρατηγό, το να φάει ψωμί με τον καπετάν Μιχάλη και τους άνδρες του κι εμάς, θα πρέπει να φάνηκε πολύ παράξενο: τα πολλά σταυροκοπήματα προτού ριχτούμε στο φαΐ και μετά το τσούγκρισμα των ποτηριών με τις συνήθεις προπόσεις της Αντίστασης. «Νίκη!», «Λευτεριά!», «Η Παναγιά μαζί μας!», «Να ξεσκουριάζη τα όπλα μας!», «Να πεθάνομε αντρόπιαστοι!». Ο Μιχάλης κι η παρέα του ήταν σχολαστικά ευγενικοί· αλλά το βρήκαν δύσκολο να τραβήξουν το βλέμμα τους από το περίεργο έπαθλό μας.

Δύο μέρες αργότερα, καθώς δεν υπήρχαν αρκετά καλύμματα, ο Μπίλλυ, ο στρατηγός κι εγώ καταλήξαμε, όχι για τελευταία φορά, να κοιμόμαστε και οι τρεις μας κάτω από την ίδια κουβέρτα, με τον Μανώλη στη μία πλευρά και τον Γιώργη στην άλλη, να περιποιούνται τα Marlin τους και να κοιμούνται με βάρδιες.

Ξυπνήσαμε στα βράχια, ακριβώς τη στιγμή που μια εκτυφλωτική αυγή ξημέρωνε πάνω από την κορυφογραμμή του Ορους Ιδη, το οποίο επί δύο μέρες πασχίζαμε να διασχίσουμε. Και οι τρεις μας καπνίζαμε ξαπλωμένοι χωρίς να μιλάμε, όταν ο στρατηγός, μιλώντας πιο πολύ στον εαυτό του, είπε αργά:

«Vides ut alta stet nive candidum

Soracte...»

Ημουν τυχερός. Είναι η πρώτη γραμμή μίας από τις λίγες ωδές του Ορατίου που ξέρω απέξω (Ad Thaliarchum). Αρχισα να απαγγέλλω από εκεί που είχε σταματήσει:

«... Nec iam sustineant onus

Silvae laborantes, geluque

Flumina constiterint acuto»

και συνέχισα, με τις πέντε στροφές που είχαν απομείνει, μέχρι το τέλος.

Τα γαλάζια μάτια του στρατηγού σταμάτησαν να κοιτούν τη βουνοκορφή και στράφηκαν στα δικά μου - και όταν τελείωσα, μετά από μια μακρά σιωπή, είπε: «Ach so, Herr Major!». Ηταν πολύ παράξενο. «Ja, Herr General». Λες και, για μια παρατεταμένη στιγμή, ο πόλεμος είχε πάψει να υπάρχει. Είχαμε πιει και οι δύο από τις ίδιες πηγές πριν από πολύ καιρό· και τα πράγματα μεταξύ μας θα ήταν διαφορετικά για το υπόλοιπο του χρόνου μας μαζί.

Το κείμενο αποτελούν αποσπάσματα από το «Abducting a General», μία προσωπική αφήγηση για την Επιχείρηση Κράιπε, την οποία ο Patrick Leigh Fermor έγραψε κατά παράκληση του Αυτοκρατορικού Πολεμικού Μουσείου το 1969.

Πηγή

Special operations forces capture 5 al Qaeda operatives in Afghan southeast

Coalition and Afghan special operations teams captured five suspected al Qaeda-linked fighters during a June 23 raid in the southeastern province of Ghazni.

The combined special operations team captured the five operatives during a raid that targeted a "senior al Qaeda facilitator" who operates from Pakistan and supports attacks in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force stated in a press release.

"The facilitator, who typically operates in Pakistan, helps plan terrorist operations and moves fighters, money and materials into Afghanistan and Pakistan," the ISAF press release said.

The nighttime raid took place in the Gelan district, a known al Qaeda haven. No Coalition or Afghan forces were killed or wounded during the raid.

ISAF and Afghan forces have had multiple engagements with al Qaeda commanders and fighters since mid-April, resulting in the death and capture of dozens of operatives. On June 1, special operations forces captured an al Qaeda commander who was linked to Osama bin Laden and was based out of Pakistan. On May 10, ISAF and Afghan forces killed 10 al Qaeda fighters, one from Saudi Arabia, and one from Morocco, and captured a "Germany-based Moroccan al Qaeda foreign fighter facilitator" during a raid in Zabul. Security forces also "found passports and identification cards from France, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia amongst ten insurgents killed during the operation." On May 3, Afghan troops killed and wounded more than 25 al Qaeda fighters in the Barg-e-Matal district in Nuristan. And on April 14, an ISAF airstrike in Kunar killed several al Qaeda leaders and fighters, including Waqas, a Pakistani commander, and Abu Hafs al Najdi, a wanted Saudi emir.

ISAF and Afghan special operations recently targeted the Haqqani Network and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan during a pair of raids in Ghazni. Both groups are closely allied to al Qaeda. On April 16, a combined special operations force captured two Haqqani Network commanders during a raid in Ghazni City, the provincial capital. According to the ISAF press release, one of the facilitators "worked for both Haqqani and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders" in the Orgun district in Paktika province, and aided "Uzbek foreign fighters to support Haqqani attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan." The Uzbek fighters are from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan or its offshoot, the Islamic Jihad Group.

The other Haqqani Network facilitator "provided safe havens for foreign fighters traveling from Kunduz to Paktika province and Pakistan for tactical training and operations." ISAF uses the term "foreign fighters" to describe members of al Qaeda and allied terror groups.

Background on al Qaeda and allied groups in Ghazni

A senior US intelligence official involved in the hunt for al Qaeda and allied terror groups in Afghanistan told The Long War Journal that Ghazni is a key hub for al Qaeda activity in the southeast.

"Ghazni has long been a collection and distribution point for foreign jihadists due to its geographic proximity to key points," the official said in April 2011. "In general terms, what we're seeing is facilitators bringing in fresh souls for jihad. They get them to places like Ghazni and await coordination to get them on to field commanders."

The official noted that the Ring Road, the main artery that runs through Afghanistan and serves as a primary supply route for ISAF and Afghan forces, is a primary target of attacks.

Al Qaeda and allied terror groups maintain a strong presence in Ghazni province. The presence of al Qaeda cells has been detected in the districts of Andar, Gelan, Ghazni, Shah Joy, and Waghaz, or four of the province's 16 districts, according to an investigation by The Long War Journal.

US forces are known to have captured two al Qaeda operatives in Ghazni since 2008. The most prominent al Qaeda operative captured in Ghazni is Aafia Siddiqui, an American-educated Pakistani scientist who has been dubbed "Lady al Qaeda" by the press. Aafia was detained in Ghazni City on July 17, 2008, and attempted to kill US US military officers and FBI agents during her interrogation the next day. According to US prosecutors, Aafia had "various documents, various chemicals, and a computer thumb drive, among other things" in her possession when she was arrested. Handwritten notes she was carrying referred to a "mass casualty attack" and listed "various locations in the United States, including Plum Island, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge." She is currently serving an 86-year-long prison sentence for attempting to kill US officials.

Another al Qaeda operative was captured in Ghazni City during a special operations raid on Nov. 18, 2009. An unnamed "al Qaeda IED facilitator" who served in al Qaeda's Shadow Army, or Lashkar al Zil, was among several terrorists detained during the raid.

The Andar district in Ghazni is a known Taliban and al Qaeda hub in the southeast. Since October 2008, the US military has conducted seven raids against al Qaeda cells in Andar, according to press reports compiled by The Long War Journal. Senior Taliban and al Qaeda foreign fighter facilitators are known to operate in the district.

A US military commander operating in the southeastern Afghan province of Ghazni said that "foreign trainers" are working with the Taliban in the district of Andar, while Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence directorate is seen as sabotaging efforts in the province.

"We also have seen some indications that there have been foreign trainers that have come to train the local Taliban who are fighting here in Andar," Lieutenant Colonel David Fivecoat, commander of 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, told TOLOnews in January. The report stated that the "foreign trainers" are "Arabs, Chechens, and Pakistanis."

Andar is the second district in Ghazni to have been identified by the US military as a location where Pakistani, Chechen, and Arab fighters are operating. In July 2010, the International Security Assistance Force targeted a Taliban commander "who is responsible for smuggling Pakistani, Chechen and Arab fighters and improvised explosive device materials into Shah Joy District from Pakistan."

Al Qaeda claims it carries out operations in Ghazni

Al Qaeda and the Movement of the Taliban, an al Qaeda ally across the border, have also identified Ghazni as a province where the terror groups carry out operations. In February 2009, al Qaeda released the 13th edition of Vanguards of Khorasan, a magazine produced by al Qaeda in Afghanistan. In that magazine, the terror group published "Field Reports" that included information on attacks in Ghazni, as well as in the provinces of Baghlan, Badkhashan, Farah, Jawzjan, Kabul, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Nimroz, Paktika, Wardak, and Zabul.

And in an interview with As Sahab, al Qaeda's propaganda arm, released in January 2010, Waliur Rahman Mehsud, the leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan in the tribal agency of South Waziristan, said his fighters are conducting attacks in Ghazni and other Afghan provinces.

"Praise be to God, our comrades, whether they were suicide bombers or other fighters, have been fighting on various fronts in Afghanistan: Helmand, Zabul, Kandahar, Ghazni, Khost, all districts of Khost, Paktia and Paktika," he told As Sahab.

Πηγή

New C-27J Version to support Special Forces Operations

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, announced today that it is evaluating the feasibility of an aircraft for the Italian Air Force to support National Special Forces Operations.

The Italian Defence has decided to launch the so called Pretorian Programme, as a special version of the C-27J, in order to analyse potential technical solutions for providing weapons and integrated weapon systems, Communications Intelligence (COMINT), EO/IR Sensor (Electro optical/Infra-red) to the C-27J Aircraft, as existing platform.

“The ‘Pretorian’ Programme has all the potentialities to attract the interest on the main world markets” – Giuseppe Giordo, Alenia Aeronautica’s CEO and Responsible for Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics Sector, said.

Mr. Giordo then added that "to produce the special version of the C-27J, Alenia Aeronautica will seek international Partners and explore all the business opportunities that may arise”.

The C-27J Spartan is the best seller in the tactical transport airlifter’s category. The C-27J is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and other on-board systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility and best performances among other aircraft of its class in all weather conditions and offers interoperability with heavier airlifters.

The C-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on unprepared strips, less-than-500 m. long, with maximum take-off weight of 30,500 kg; it may carry up to 60 equipped soldiers or up to 46 paratroopers and, in the air ambulance version, 36 stretchers and 6 medical assistants.

The large cross section (2.60 meters high, 3.33 metres wide) and high floor strength (4,900 kg/m load capability) allow heavy and large complete military equipment to be loaded. The C-27J can, for example, transport fighter and transport aircraft engines, such as C-130, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 and Mirage 2000, directly on their normal engine dollies without further special equipment.

The C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco and by the U.S. Air Force for a total of 79 airplanes. The aircraft has also been selected by Slovakia.

Πηγή

Special Forces: 10,000 expected to compete in Beaver Creek’s Tough Mudder

One of the obstacles being prepared for the Tough Mudder event in Beaver Creek this weekend. Credit: Beaver Creek Resort

Beaver Creek announced that the resort is hosting what’s billed as the “toughest event on the planet,” called the Tough Mudder this weekend, Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. The Beaver Creek Tough Mudder event features a nine-mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces complete with 26 challenges set across the lower portion of the mountain that test all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

The expected 10,000 or so competitors will tackle 4,200 feet in elevation changes in two-and-a-half hours, with staggered start times throughout each day. Throughout the course they’ll encounter hills, snow, mud, water, ropes, fire and 10,000 volts of electricity set among obstacles with names such as Boa Constrictor, Kiss of Mud, the Gauntlet and Funky Monkey. 

“Hosting Tough Mudder at Beaver Creek provides the perfect opportunity to use the natural terrain offered on the mountain as a backdrop for an all-out blood, sweat and tears challenge combined with a village that pampers and rewards all who visit with its intimacy, friendliness, guest service and laid-back feel,” said Tim Baker, executive director, Beaver Creek Resort Company. “We’re excited to welcome the more than 10,000 participants who will give it their all and then relax and soak in the true spirit of camaraderie and summertime in the mountains.”  

The Buckaroo Express Gondola will be open June 25-26 from a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, providing complimentary rides and transporting spectators to prime event viewing at The Ranch. A variety of obstacles will be located in and around the area accessed by the gondola and spectators can refuel at the Chuckwagon, which will serve food and refreshments at The Ranch all weekend long.

A dedicated spectator shuttle also will be operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from the Covered Bridge in the Village to Red Tail Camp. Beaver Creek offers complimentary parking in the Elk, Bear and Wolf Lots and shuttles will run daily beginning at 7 a.m. from the parking lots to the Village. The Avon shuttle will have various pick up points in the town of Avon and then drop guests off in Beaver Creek Village both days.

The Centennial Express Lift (#6) also will operate as usual from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for some fun in between event viewing and Spruce Saddle Restaurant’s barbeque fare will be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A lift ticket or pass is still required to ride the Centennial Express Lift.

The event benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. Last year, Tough Mudder raised $650,000; this year’s goal is $1 million. For more information about Tough Mudder, click here.

Πηγή

The 2011 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC)

TAMPA, FL – The 2011 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) and Exposition was held from 17–19 May at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. Under the theme “SOF: Setting the Course,” USSOCOM Commander, Admiral Eric T. Olson, gave the first Keynote Address. 

His speech addressed the capability areas of “Understand,” “Communicate,” “Move,” and “Engage,” which characterize the context in which SOF currently operates. He stressed that within this context, SOF needs to develop language and cultural experts, better understand what motivates the local people and how they make their money, know when important events occur during the year, and recognize how climate and terrain impacts the social psyche of the population.  

Olson highlighted the recapitalization of the Fixed and Rotary Wing fleets, the way ahead on maritime surface and undersea platforms, the need for lighter individual kit for SOF operators, and a greater approach to holistic protection and protective measures and care for the wounded. Admiral Olson also discussed the expansion of the SOF Information Environment (SIE) and challenged industry to look for solutions for more simulation training, saying, “Simulation has been a tough bridge to get across.”

The second Keynote Address, made by USSOCOM Acquisition Executive, Mr. James Cluck, provided an update on the current SOF Acquisition enterprise, the Special Operations Research, Development, and Acquisition Center (SORDAC). Mr. Cluck highlighted future FY12 procurement and RDT&E new starts, and he discussed SOCOM Acquisition Summits with the Undersecretary of Defense, Dr. Ashton Carter, and service acquisition executives to collaborate on ways to minimize programmatic disconnects, better align requirements, identify co-sponsorship opportunities, seek funding efficiencies, and optimize contracting actions.

 The USSOCOM Component Commanders provided their perspectives and insights on current challenges, trends, and interests to three packed ballrooms of industry attendees. Lt Gen Donald Wurster, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), discussed the AFSOC recapitalization program of its gunships, mobility, and tanker aircraft. 

LTG John Mulholland, Commander, Army Special Operations Command, discussed one of the big needs going forward is to find a replacement for the Hummer, which he called an “incredible platform for Special Forces." RADM Edward Winters, Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, highlighted the interest for new boats with signal-reducing capacity, stating, “It’ll become harder and harder to sneak up on anybody’s coasts.” 

MajGen Paul Lefebvre, Commander, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, summed up his needs in two words: "force protection." He also distinguished the need for command and control domain dominance, on ships and land, and the increased efforts to shape “problem framing” and “intel fusion.”

Senior leaders from across the USSOCOM Headquarters and Service Component Commands shared the stage with four panel sessions exploring the conference construct of Understand, Communicate, Move and Engage. Topics ranging from smart vehicles to biometric collection, UAVs, iphones, and remote sensors were discussed by Intelligence, Requirements, Network, and Operations and Planning Directors.

USSOCOM Program Executive Officers, Program Managers, and technical experts made presentations to packed rooms in track sessions organized by the themed capability areas. The sessions identified USSOCOM’s top priorities, technology game changers, key enablers, and business opportunities for current, planned, and future USSOCOM acquisition programs.

USSOCOM small business, acquisition, and science and technology experts conducted Business Opportunities Sessions, which addressed requirements and opportunities for industry attendees supporting SOF. These experts shared information on how industry can present and demonstrate new product ideas and prototypes to SOCOM via the TILO and Experimentation process.

The National Defense Industry Association (NDIA), SOCOM’s co-sponsor for the event, organized 1,434 Exhibitors in over 350 Booths for the Technology Exposition, overflowing the Tampa Convention Center to outdoor displays exhibiting the latest technologies targeted to SOF operations.

Πηγή

O Κάρολος Παπούλιας στα «βατράχια» του Ναυτικού

Άσκηση-επίδειξη των επιχειρησιακών δυνατοτήτων Ομάδων-Σκαφών Ανορθόδοξου Πολέμου της Μονάδας Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών του Πολεμικού Ναυτικού παρακολούθησε ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας κ. Κάρολος Παπούλιας στον Σκαραμαγκά, όπου μετέβη συνοδευόμενος από τον υπουργό Άμυνας κ. Πάνο Μπεγλίτη και τον υφυπουργό κ. Κώστα Σπηλιόπουλο.

 «Ήταν μια εντυπωσιακή επίδειξη που δείχνει το υψηλό επίπεδο εκπαίδευσης, το υψηλό φρόνημα της Μονάδας, αλλά και γενικότερα των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων, που δρα αποτρεπτικά σε όσους θα σκεφθούν κάτι εναντίον της χώρας μας», δήλωσε μετά το πέρας της άσκησης ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας. 

Τον κ. Παπούλια, στον οποίο έγινε ευρεία ενημέρωση, υποδέχθηκε στη Διοίκηση Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών ο Αρχηγός ΓΕΝ αντιναύαρχος Δημήτριος Ελευσινιώτης.

Πηγή

Fuerzas Comando: Integrated Assault

ILOPANGO, El Salvador - The competitors in the Fuerzas Comando competition faced an “Integrated Assault” challenge June 21, completing the last event of this year’s competition.

Nineteen six-man teams consisting of two snipers and four assaulters competed in the event. The sniper team shot two watermelons at a 175 meter distance to begin the exercise. 

Then the assault team proceeded to move toward the shoot house to clear 12 targets identified as threats.The team had to breach the house’s main entrance with a large mallet. Once in the shoot house, the teams had to eliminate all the threats located inside and rescue a hostage dummy. Each team had to carry their hostage back to the finish line to successfully complete the eventThe Fuerzas Comando competition will conclude June 23 with an awards ceremony.

Πηγή

Competitors dive into action during Fuerzas Comando aquatic event

A Dominican Republic Special Operations team member dives into the water to begin the swimming portion of the Fuerzas Comando Aquatic event at Calderas Naval Base June 18. Along with the physical challenges, wind played a big role in the swimming portion, as competitors have to swim twice as hard.

SANTO DOMINGO - With the Fuerzas Comando 2010 exercise reaching its halfway mark, teams were looking to separate themselves from their competition during the Aquatic event June 18 and 19 at the Calderas Naval Base in the Dominican Republic.

The Colombian Special Operations team uses a synchronized swimming technique to get through the water faster at the Fuerzas Comando Aquatic event at Calderas Naval Base, Dominican Republic June 18. The Aquatic Event consisted of a Zodiac raft carry, rowing, ruck march, swimming and a pistol shoot.

During the event, the competitors ran their way through more than two-and-a-half miles of unforgiving sand and hot pavement while the water portion tested each team’s ability to swim across long stretches of cold water with heavy equipment. Individuals on each six-man team carry 30-pound ruck sacks, sling ropes, and a 9 mm pistol with one 12 round magazine. In order to control the event, groups start the competition in 30-mintue intervals. 

Paraguayan Special Operations team members carry an inflatable Zodiac boat during the Fuerzas Comando Aquatic event at Calderas Naval Base, Dominican Republic, June 18. The team carried the boat, which weighs more than 450 pounds, for 400 meters during the first portion of the event.

The aquatic course begins with each team transporting a 400-pound Zodiac inflatable boat. The group shoulders the craft and runs through 400 meters of wet, sandy beach in order to reach the harbor’s coastline. Once there, each team drops the raft into the water and unloads their backpacks to begin their next challenge—a strenuous 1,600 meter row across the inner harbor.

Once they make it to the other side of the marina, each group jumps out of the raft and quickly puts on their packs. The competitors only have moments to gather themselves as they begin a 2,900 meter foot movement over pavement and sand dunes. The end of the expedition leads them into a wooden pier with only cold water in front of them. 

The Dominican Republic Special Operations team begins the rowing portion of the Fuerzas Comando Aquatic event in the Dominican Republic June 18 and 19. Fuerzas Comando 2010, a week-long Special Operations skills competition, is a U.S. Southern Command sponsored event which helps promote interoperability, security and military partnerships throughout the Western hemisphere. 

For many, this portion of the challenge is the toughest as the competitors must now swim 500 meters with their ruck sacks, adding extra weight to the already fatigued troops. Some teams swim individually while others work as a group through synchronized swimming. No matter the event, for these warriors the ultimate goal is to finish as a team. 

“It’s very challenging because of the water and the wind,” said a member of the Belize Special Operations team. “It is important to stay together as a team all the way to the finish line.” 

With their boots full of water and their gear soaked, the competitors’ race 1,500 meters across tidal mud flats to the final portion of the Aquatic challenge. The teams then finish at the pistol range. Water runs out of the barrel of their weapons as they quickly load their magazines and take turns firing at different targets. 

Once the last team member fires his final round and clears his side arm, the team runs to the finish line to get their final time.

For most groups, the Aquatic event is one of the most difficult portions of Fuerzas Comando. The challenge is designed to push each team mentally and physically.

“All of the events are demanding but the Aquatic event is toughest of the competition,” said a Jamaican team member. 

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Fuerzas Comando 2011 sets snipers to work

Special Operations Sniper Teams begin the Stalk event of Fuerzas Comando 2011

ILOPANGO, El Salvador – The sniper events for Fuerzas Comando 2011 began today at Shangallo Range, Ilopango, El Salvador.

Fuerzas Comando, established in 2004, is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored special operations skills competition and senior leader seminar which is conducted annually in Central and Southern America and the Caribbean.

Judges for the Stalk event of Fuerzas Comando 2011, start the timed event, 

There are 19 teams competing in the competition, each one with sniper and assault elements.Today’s events were “Stalking” and “Range Estimation,” both taking place simultaneously at different locations on the range.

Sniper teams discuss the range of a target, June 16, during the Distance Estimation event of Fuerzas Comandos 2011, Shingallo Range, outside San Salvador. 

The events consisted of two-member teams who were expected to work together toward the acquisition of their target under strict time constraints.In the “Stalk” event, competitors relied heavily on cover and concealment to traverse 1700 meters and acquire their target, unseen.

The Dominican Special Operations Sniper Team prepares for the Stalk event of Fuerzas Comando 2011 

The competitors also displayed their abilities in gauging time, distance, and precision in the “Range Estimation” event. The sniper teams performed a distance estimation of 20 targets.Scores are still being tallied, and it is anyone’s contest.

Tomorrow, the sniper events will continue with, “Snaps and Movers,” and a night shoot.

Fuerzas Comando officially ends, June 23.

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