Ohio Soldiers, Serbians learn non-lethal weapons tactics

Photo By Spc. Emilie Sheridan | A Serbian soldier from the 4th Brigade fires an M-26 shotgun with beanbag pellets on June 15, 2017 on South Base, Serbia during non-lethal weapons training as part of the Platinum Wolf mission. This exercise is an annual, two-week training which focuses on peacekeeping operations.  

SOUTH BASE, SERBIA

06.24.2017

Story by Spc. Emilie Sheridan 

196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SOUTH BASE, Serbia — Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment and members of the Serbian Armed Forces participated in non-lethal weapons training here as part of an annual, two-week multinational Platinum Wolf 2017 training exercise. “Today we conducted INWIC (Inter-service Non-lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course) training which is non-lethal training for the United States Army,” said Sgt. Robert Bye, a team leader with Company C. “We used Tasers, non-lethal shotguns, and went over the use of OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray.” The non-lethal training for Platinum Wolf 2017 was instructed by Sgt. Jason Crosser of the 585th Military Police Company, Sgt. Steven Kendelof the 1-148th and Macedonian Capt. Zoran Stankoski. Kendel explained that he and Crosser were selected as instructors because they have been INWIC trained in the states. During the training, Soldiers learned the proper techniques for using a Taser, OC spray and non-lethal munitions. “It was good, valuable training because it let them know if you’re going to employ a Taser, that’s the business end of it,” Kendel said after getting the chance to use a conducted electrical weapon on his own Soldiers. Many of the U.S. Soldiers are training abroad for the first time in their lives. Sharing tactics and information on a multinational level is an experience they could never get at home. “It gave us the opportunity to work with our partner nations to help diversify our training, our wealth of knowledge,” said Sgt. Jeremy Conaway, a squad leader from Company C. “I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, but as far as training with a multinational event, this is the first time.” Added Bye: “I would say assimilation with other countries is probably the biggest benefit, especially some of our young Soldiers who haven’t had the opportunity to go overseas or to other countries.” During Platinum Wolf, U.S. Soldiers rotate lanes each day and the training conducted is often with different nations’ militaries each day as well. Nine different nations participated this year in Serbia. “As far as working with our Soldiers, I think this has opened their eyes to seeing that our way is not the only way nor is it (always) the best way,” Conaway said. “By working with our partner nations, I think we have definitely had the opportunity to learn bigger and better things and help to develop our professional careers and our tactics, moving forward.”

• Date Taken: 06.24.2017
• Date Posted: 06.21.2018 08:57
• Story ID: 260945
• Location: SOUTH BASE, RS