Okay before I post my tale from yesterday I need to add that it has been ten years since I wore a uniform and a little longer since handling a rifle. I freely admit that I am rusty and out of practice. Still, I jumped at the chance to be enemy force during the large urban warfare exercise happening in my home town. Here is what happened -
*My hand tightens around the pistol grip of my borrowed rifle.
My heart beats a little faster as I hear the distinctive thumping of the helicopter blades as they touch down just outside.
I narrow my focus on the door I am guarding and get ready.
I carefully chamber a round and click the safety off.
The Canadian and American Allied Forces are coming, and I am going to try and shoot as many as I can.
I am playing enemy force in the struggle over Windahar.
Windahar is the fictional name for Winnipeg during Operation Charging Bison, the urban warfare exercise currently underway.
I had shown up this morning as a newly minted Public Affairs Officer and was immediately pressed into service.
I was pretty thrilled, it’s not every day you get to shoot at your countrymen and call it training.
All I know is my character - I am armed, but a coward, as soon as I see them I am to empty my rifle and then surrender and throw down my empty weapon.
My induction into enemy force was brief, maybe a little too brief; after all, I promptly shot at our rebel leader as he came through the door trying to escape.
After a hurried apology and some embarrassment I steadied myself again.
I could hear his Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) beeping as he ran away.
At least it was a good shot.
I think it would’ve been more embarrassing to miss.
I knew the very next person would be my intended target.
Or not.
My next victim was an innocent cameraman.
Master Corporal Peter Simpson yelled, “I am one of the good guys.”
Unfortunately one second too late.
Maybe I should’ve asked more questions before accepting a rifle and aiming at a door.
As enemy force it’s hard to try and remember the most important thing.
“We are not the primary training audience, we are the training tool.” Cpl Bonnie Critchley from the King’s Own Calgary Regiment said.
It’s hard to remember because it’s really fun to be enemy force.
Most of my partners in crime have been involved in a few other attacks and various other disruptive efforts.
All of them have tried hard to maintain the integrity of the exercise and keep true to the identities they have been given.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
The troops they are helping to train have been enjoying ever moment of action they have had.
“It really puts it in perspective to be doing the exercise in this environment. We actually get to see what it may be like.” Tpr. Tova Green from the Sask D said.
Some of the soldiers said the action was slow to get started, but that is what they have heard it’s like “over there”.
As for enemy force?
“I don’t think I’ve ever been handcuffed. At least never that hard before.” Ranger Conrad Bjorklund from the Churchill Rangers said.
I personally learned a lot from my enemy force experience.
Zip ties are not comfortable, having a foot in your back makes you breathe more dust, and on your first day as a PAO if you don’t have your uniforms, wear jeans cause you’re going to get dirty.
