1-4 Infantry moves operations center to the field

Photo By 1st Lt. Brianne Roudebush | Spc. Timothy McGowan and 1st Lt. Benjamin Kemp, both with 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, receive an update from troops in the field at the tactical operations center (TOC) Feb. 1, during Exercise Allied Spirit IV, a multinational training exercise held at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels Training Area, Germany (JMRC HTA). For the first time, 1-4 Infantry (OPFOR) set up a TOC in the field in order to provide training units the opportunity to locate a headquarters element. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brianne Roudebush/Released)  

HOHENFELS, GERMANY

02.04.2016

Story by Sgt. Brianne Roudebush 

69th Public Affairs Detachment

HOHENFELS, Germany -- Inside a brick building in the middle of a simulated town set, hidden from view by a black curtain, a small room is bustling with activity. Maps cover the walls; laptops, phones and radios cover the tables.

This is the tactical operations center run by opposing forces during Allied Spirit IV, a multinational training exercise held at the U.S. Army's Joint Multinational Readiness Center, here, Jan. 10-Feb. 6.

During the exercise, OPFOR challenge the Blue Forces (BLUFOR), which are the friendly forces played by the training units.

"We wanted to be competitive so that [BLUFOR] could potentially identify or target us," said Maj. Ryan Liebhaber, the battalion executive officer. "It's more realistic for both sides -- we are under the stress of a field environment, and it's better training for BLUFOR."

Liebhaber said it also gives his unit experience setting up a mobile operations center.

It took a small team just a few hours to set the whole thing up. They had the radio networks up within the standard time, followed by full internet connectivity shortly thereafter.

"We have less capabilities out here," Liebhaber said. "For the competitive aspect, we are more susceptible to the elements, indirect fire, and to BLUFOR's scouts and intel."

Outside the building, communication antennas and other typical command post elements require camouflage and clever concealment to avoid the attention of the BLUFOR.

Inside, the biggest obstacle the Soldiers face in the field operations center are slow internet speeds. This forces the unit to have to come up with new ways to solve the problems they are used to dealing with in a more robust environment.

"We're not used to dealing with the limited bandwidth we have out here," said Capt. Jonathan Sims, the battalion signal officer.

Sims said that overall, it is a good opportunity and learning experience for the staff. The battalion plans to continue setting up a tactical operations center in the field during future training exercises.

"For our first time, this has been a success," Sims said.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2016
• Date Posted: 02.21.2016 16:42
• Story ID: 189510
• Location: HOHENFELS, DE