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U.S. 21st Special Forces Group (Rangers Pathfinders Airborne) |
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(Composite Provisional) |
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JUWTF SOG |
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Cleared for Public Dissemination
During the final weeks of March 2007, the U.S. 2nd Battalion, U.S. 21st SFG-RPA, JUWTF SOG, conducted
"Northern Warfare Training & Cold Weather Survival Training" for volunteer participants from all 7 Battalions of
the U.S. 21st SFG-RPA. The elite Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, graciously hosted participants from the U.S. 101st Airborne Division,
the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Battalion, U.S. 75th Infantry (Rangers Airborne), the U.S. Navy SEALS,
the U.S. Marine Corps "Force Reconnaissance", the U.S. Air Force "Pararescue" & "Combat Controllers",
the U.S. Coast Guard "Strike Force", and Pilots and other Aviation personnel from all U.S. Military Services.
This training had to be conducted on a SECRET basis due to waiting for a break in the Window of Weather Opportunity.
Invitations to volunteer had been sent out early, and the sharpest of Soldiers all showed up (even on short notice) for an
outstanding period of unity & skills training.
As always, the Soldiers of the U.S. 2nd Battalion, U.S. 21st SFG-RPA, put on some excellent training, due to the fact that
they are historically experts at Mountaineering, Cold Weather Survival, Patriotism, Americanisms & actual full strength Christianity.
The U.S. 21st SFG-RPA "Group Commander" issued a heartfelt thank you to all of the Soldiers who participated, and
particularly to all Soldiers who made this training event possible; certificates were issued to all graduates.
The following photos have been cleared for public release, all photographs copyright 2007, KidsAmount Studio Productions, Inc.
Click on any category below to view related photos:
How To Make a "Lean To" Survival Shelter
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Colonel Aaron Bank introduces Captain Steel, U.S. Ranger Airborne Instructor |
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Captain Steel cuts and trims strong branches for shelter "frame", then "lashes" them together with Parachute "Suspension Line" |
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Captain Steel cuts and trims 2nd Half of shelter "frame". |
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Captain Steel joins the two Shelter Halves together, them "lashes" them firmly into place. |
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Captain Steel wets his fingers and holds them aloft, to
accurately determine the dominant direction of the winds. The "Lean To"
survival shelter |
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Captain Steel selects a standard "Tarp" (with "grommets" on each corner) |
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Captain Steel opens the Tarp up |
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Captain Steel opens "Tarp" halfway open (Note: The "grommets" on each corner) |
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Captain Steel now has the "Tarp" fully opened |
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Captain Steel inserts the 4 corner pegs of the "Lean To" frame into the Tarps' corner grommets |
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Captain Steel has cut an additional long "Y shaped" pole, to brace the "Lean To" at a 45% angle against the dominant winds. |
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Captain Steel takes a U.S. issue "Woodland Poncho Liner" from his Rucksack (backpack). |
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Captain Steel folds our "poncho liner" in half. |
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Captain Steel places the folded double thickness "poncho liner" inside, to add very good insulation against the cold ground and snow. |
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Captain Steel has unrolled and installed a U.S. issue "Extreme Cold Mummy Bag" as our sleeping bag. |
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Captain Steel has placed over all, a very warm U.S. issue wool blanket over the "mummy bag" to add extra insulation against wind and cold. |
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Captain Steel folds up and installs a second U.S. wool blanket, to further insulate us, and to serve as a pillow. |
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"Captain Steel & this class have done an outstanding job!" |
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"I think I want to try this 'Lean To' out myself!" |
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Captain Steel comments to the class: "He looks pretty comfortable, doesn't he?" |
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Captain Steel constructs a "fire pit" encircled with rocks, and builds a small (low smoke) fire, reflecting warmth to the "Lean To". |
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Captain Steel places the two upright "Y forked" sticks that the class cut for him. |
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"Our 'Striped Big Mouth Bass' that we caught, will be slow cooked, smoked, and ready to eat very shortly!" Who is going to turn the spit? |
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Colonel Aaron Bank, Chief Instructor [ Founder, U.S. 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), & member of "O.S.S." in WW2 ] |
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"U.S. 82nd Airborne Division" Paratrooper tries on "Snowshoes" for the first time |
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"U.S. 101st Airborne Division" Paratrooper Sergeant practices "Snowplow" stopping techniques. |
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Paratrooper from "U.S. 75th Infantry Rangers Airborne (2nd Battalion)" practicing "Ski Turns" |
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No more falling down |
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"Cross Country" Skiing |
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Practicing "Downhill Skiing" skills |
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"Squad Drill".....now a good bit safer to be closer together |
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"OCS Candidate" from Colorado State branch, U.S. ARMY "National Guard" (A "Veteran", and as a civilian, a "National Ski Patrol" Leader). |
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Assemble On Me! |
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"Rangers Lead The Way, Sir!" |
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Moving Fast, and Kicking Ass! |
Snow TOW (Heavy Anti-Tank Missile Launcher)
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Captain Steel installs the TOW Launcher's snow shoe base,
which serves to spread the weapon's weight over a larger area, to prevent
weapon |
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Captain Steel installs the TOW Launcher on the TOW snow shoe base, then he connects up the TOW "control unit" box and cable. |
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Captain Steel uses the switches of the "control unit" to
adjust the Elevation (or Depression) of the TOW Launcher, |
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Captain Steel uses switches on the "control unit" to adjust Deflection of the TOW Launcher to the Right. |
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Captain Steel uses switches on the "control unit", to adjust Deflection of the TOW Launcher to the Left. |
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Captain Steel indicates the proper "mounting point" for Installation of the TOW Launcher's "Laser Sight Unit". |
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Any questions regarding the "TOW Heavy Anti-Tank Missile Launcher"? |
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The U.S. 105mm Towed Howitzer (Direct Firing or High Angle Indirect Firing capabilities). |
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Today's class: The U.S. 155mm Towed Howitzer |
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Placing the first course of Sandbag Wall, to help protect
our Gun Crew against enemy Small Arms Fire. please note that our |
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2nd course of "Sandbag Wall" (In actual deployments, more
courses would be laid in position). Note the "keyhole" built in the gun's |
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155mm Howitzer "Breech" is opened by Cannoneer (Gun Emplacement at "Firebase KAFFENBERGER") |
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Inspection of Howitzer "Breech", to determine "servicability" and "cleanliness". |
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Note: "Projectile" and separate "Propellant Charge Cartridge", ready for loading into Gun Breech |
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Recoilling (FIRED!) Cannon has ejected the expended "Propellant Charge Cartridge" |
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The "Ramrod" bore brush used to clean the Howitzer after being FIRED! |
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Swabbing the "Bore" of the Howitzer, using the "Ramrod" |
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Class observing the 2 U.S. Officers "serving" this Cannon (a "crew served weapon"...requiring more than 1 man) |
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Introduction of Class Instructors and the Combat Engineer that built our Gun Emplacement for this class. |
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"3 Man Hasty Ambush Drill" (conducted at the top of "The Rocky Mountains"), part of "FTX Robin Sage 2007". |
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"Right Flank" of Ambush |
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"Center" of Ambush ("Command & Control" position is being exercised by Team Leader Sergeant). |
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"Left Flank" of Ambush |
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Hold your Fire until you hear me open up on them! |
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Do observation to the sides of boulders and logs, not over the top of them. |
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Well positioned Soldier..."Cover" on both left and right sides of his hiding spot |
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Colonel Bank gives trainees their "critique": "Excellent selection of both 'Cover' and 'Concealment', Sergeant!" |
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"Outstanding utilization of both 'Natural Cover' and improvised expedient protective augmentations!" |
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SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Cleared for Public Dissemination
