Roughly 2,000 troops from the 25th Infantry Division came to Pohakuloa Training Area earlier this month to train with drones, snipers, mortars, helicopters and other live-fire artillery.
Shipping their equipment over from Schofield Barracks on Oahu, the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team camped in tents and endured harsh winds, mimicking wartime conditions.
“Just stressing our logistics unit to figure out how they’re going to get us all out here is good training,” said Maj. James Sheehan, U.S. Army Public Affairs officer. “But PTA gives us the chance to fire live, effective rounds at the distance and capability of the gun systems. It creates a more realistic training environment.”
Reconnaissance troops from the 2-14 Cavalry Squadron stationed themselves on the hills of PTA after locating a simulated enemy threat, communicating with several brigades and radioing for coverage and fire support.
“It’s basically a combined arms fire mission,” said 1st Lt. Olivia Taylor. “We get to hear all the different fires assets talking to each other. This is the most comprehensive fires coordination that we’ve had.”
Live rounds exploded above and impacted the terrain as troops experienced the sights and sounds of an active combat zone.
“They can see in a safe, controlled environment what it sounds like when an artillery shell goes over their head and explodes a thousand meters away,” Sheehan said. “Their main goal throughout is to integrate artillery and aviation into their attacking objective.”
The exercise, code-named Nakoa Diamond, was an FSCX, or Fire Support Coordination Exercise. While reconnaissance troops led the way, the 2-11 Field Artillery Battalion assembled behind them, providing back-up live-fire protection via mortars, high explosives, illumination and smoke rounds.
“We’re limited on Oahu,” said Sgt. Sanchez between launches. “Here, we can do more training, and with more training, we’re more proficient.”
Covered in camouflage netting to shield from aerial threats, the howitzer guns fire 105 millimeter rounds between seven miles and 11 miles, launching both point-detonating fuses that explode on impact and time-detonated fuses that explode early, leaving the enemy in a cloud of smoke.
As the artillery battalion regrouped to process and correct new data for efficiency, two helicopters entered from above, replacing the suppressive fire.
The two Boeing AH-64 Apaches fired 2.75 inch rockets from its pods and 30 mm rounds from its M230 guns. The twin-engine helicopters were also equipped with Hellfire missiles, complete with guidance computers, steering control and a propulsion system powerful enough to burn through heavy tank armor. No Hellfire missiles were used during the training exercise.
“Today, I was flying at just 30 feet above the ground,” said Capt. Cade Been, who piloted roughly 30 flights at PTA during the training. “It’s tactical and serves a purpose,” he added, noting certain combat scenarios require low-to-the-ground maneuvers like weaving between trees to avoid an enemy attack.
Overhead visuals also were provided via drones operated by the military intelligence team that shared real-time information with the brigades.
The AAI RQ-7, known as Shadow, is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of flying at 100 knots, or roughly 115 mph, and at a height of 16,000 feet.
The drone is launched using nitrogen tanks on a device resembling a slingshot, providing the necessary pressure to get the drone off the ground.
“We haven’t flown in winds this high before,” said Platoon Sgt. and drone operator Nohemi Pacheco. “Limitations from wind are usually problems on the ground. If the headwinds are too strong, it’s going to make the aircraft slow down too much prior to landing.”
Despite strong headwinds, the drone arrived safely, completing its 40th mission since arriving on base.
While the remote location of PTA allows for the maximum range practice of equipment, the magnetic frequency of the iron ore lava rocks weakens the signal for certain radio communications.
“It makes it difficult for our dismounted radios,” said Capt. Mike Tougher of the terrain. “We have to rely heavily on our trucks, which have much stronger amps and radios that can shoot a signal out further.”
The mission is one element in the Joint Pacific Multiinternational Readiness Center, or JPMRC. Culminating in October, the final mission will provide evaluations, observations and critiques of the troops.
The JPMRC is an effort by Gen. Charles A. Flynn of U.S. Army Pacific to create authentic training environments for potential warfare. The joint effort includes exercises in Alaska, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, among other locations.
“PTA plays a key role in the JPMRC,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin of U.S. Army Garrison. “It allows the units to train in areas that replicate the areas they are assigned to.”
Other benefits of the JPMRC include maintaining a local presence, along with financial and time-related savings by keeping equipment close.
“It allows our personnel and equipment to be in the region,” Cronin said. “Then they leave here more prepared, ready to go into the Pacific Theater.”
With explosions and shrapnel emitted during the exercises, precautions were taken to mitigate environmental impacts from the large-scale training.
“The training and environmental missions here work incredibly well together, hand in hand, to make sure this very important training can occur,” Cronin said. “We are cognizant of our cultural and national resources.”
This involves coordination between PTA’s Center for Environmental Management, the Cultural Resources Program and federal firefighters located at PTA who create fuel breaks to mitigate any potential fires resulting from live rounds during the training.
The Infantry Division also performs community services during their stay on the Big Island, assisting island farmers, helping with pond clean-up events, and supporting local canoe clubs with beach cleanups.
PTA was cited by soldiers as a crucial training space due to its size at roughly 109,000 acres and its unique terrain.
“You’ve got to get on the ground and practice, and get those repetitions in,” said Cronin. “Nothing can replicate actually doing it, and PTA is a great place for that.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com