Fort Bliss Monitor

USACAS hosts training products demonstration

Spc. Steve Baack
Monitor Staff

FBI Special Agent Eric Benson fires an M16A1 rifle at an angled portion of Dura-Bloc Ballistic Rubber.

Led by the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Battalion – and with the help of Soldiers, local FBI agents and Border Patrol agents – private organizations demonstrated training products new to Fort Bliss at the FBI Range.

The organizations gave presentations and demonstrations on Dura-Bloc Ballistic Rubber, for walls in shoot houses; a battle-effects simulator called Omega 36; the above-ground Infantry Protection Box; AA8 Stationary Infantry Target; and a Stinger/rocket-propelled grenade simulator.

Agents and Soldiers first fired a variety of different weapons and bullets at the Dura-Bloc wall to demonstrate its effectiveness, and representatives displayed the capabilities of the simulators. There were also representatives from 3rd Bn., 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th ADA Brigade and 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at the demonstration to see the products in action.

“Once a quarter I try to do an off-site locally and invite units to see different things that are going on out here at the ranges; different capabilities that we’re accomplishing,” said Lt. Col. Michael Sippel, commander of USACAS. “First quarter of this fiscal year, this is one of the things we’re trying to demonstrate.”

FBI Special Agent Eric Benson fired several types of bullets from an M16A1 to show visitors the effects the different types of rounds would have on the different widths of material. He fired rounds such as a 55-grain soft-point, a 62-grain full-metal jacket and a 69-grain round. Though a few rounds exited the steel backing of the more thinly layered block, representatives assured that not only do tight groups have that effect, but also that they would normally use half-inch steel for 5.56 rounds in shoot houses.

“The [mobilization] guys build shoot-houses with wood, sand and bring it up to a certain standard,” said Sippel. “With Dura-Bloc, though, you can literally guarantee that there’s no rounds penetrating, and you can reduce the safety restrictions in the training event.”

Next was the new battle-effects simulator with a target system. Representatives displayed hostile fire, artillery fire, metal on metal, Stinger/ RPG, smoke and other effects for training events such as convoy live-fire exercises. They also demonstrated a shoulder-mounted Stinger/RPG simulator with video camera and ultra-violet light, as well as a hand-held version.

“We’re looking at ways to provide more realism, both from mobilization units and also for our units here at Fort Bliss,” said Sippel. “One way to do that is through simulators, and that’s why I asked them to come out here and provide that.”

“We’re looking at improving the convoy live-fire,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Karbler, commander of 3-43 ADA. “Gen. [Richard] McCabe has given us the guidance to make it better, and any kind of training aids that we have to include the simulators that we saw today – they make it better. They make it more efficient. They will actually reduce some manpower requirements in terms of keeping the convoy live-fire lanes up, as well as operating them throughout a week or two weeks our unit goes through convoy live-fires.”

Karbler added that although he was surprised to see a few of the rounds penetrating the thinner block, he’s still confident with the product because the company guarantees replacement.

“It’s invaluable,” John Paul, range safety officer for USACAS, said of using new products for training servicemembers. “We need to make training as realistic as possible. The battle-effects simulators coupled with our automated targets are going to create an environment that’s going to be so realistic, it will enhance training 10-fold.” Paul added that parts from these demonstrations are scheduled to be implemented within the next 60 days, while most of what representatives demonstrated on the range are scheduled to be implemented within the next 120 days.

“Not only is Fort Bliss going to benefit, but all Soldiers coming in - transient Soldiers, mobilizing Soldiers - are going to benefit from these devices.” Paul stressed that other servicemembers and allied forces who train here will benefit as well.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 14, 2004

Lionel Douglas, pyrotechnics supervisor for Titan Dynamics Systems, fires a Stinger/Rocket-propelled grenade simulators. Visitors examine spent rounds pulled from the Dura-Bloc slabs. Douglas shows visitors the Stinger/ Rocket-propelled grenade simulator up close. <map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	USACAS hosts training products demonstration Spc. Steve Baack Monitor Staff FBI Special Agent Eric Benson fires an M16A1 rifle at an angled portion of Dura-Bloc Ballistic Rubber. Led by the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Battalion – and with the help of Soldiers, local FBI agents and Border Patrol agents – private organizations demonstrated training products new to Fort Bliss at the FBI Range. The organizations gave presentations and demonstrations on Dura-Bloc Ballistic Rubber, for walls in shoot houses; a battle-effects simulator called Omega 36; the above-ground Infantry Protection Box; AA8 Stationary Infantry Target; and a Stinger/rocket-propelled grenade simulator. Agents and Soldiers first fired a variety of different weapons and bullets at the Dura-Bloc wall to demonstrate its effectiveness, and representatives displayed the capabilities of the simulators. There were also representatives from 3rd Bn., 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th ADA Brigade and 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at the demonstration to see the products in action. “Once a quarter I try to do an off-site locally and invite units to see different things that are going on out here at the ranges; different capabilities that we’re accomplishing,” said Lt. Col. Michael Sippel, commander of USACAS. “First quarter of this fiscal year, this is one of the things we’re trying to demonstrate.” FBI Special Agent Eric Benson fired several types of bullets from an M16A1 to show visitors the effects the different types of rounds would have on the different widths of material. He fired rounds such as a 55-grain soft-point, a 62-grain full-metal jacket and a 69-grain round. Though a few rounds exited the steel backing of the more thinly layered block, representatives assured that not only do tight groups have that effect, but also that they would normally use half-inch steel for 5.56 rounds in shoot houses. “The [mobilization] guys build shoot-houses with wood, sand and bring it up to a certain standard,” said Sippel. “With Dura-Bloc, though, you can literally guarantee that there’s no rounds penetrating, and you can reduce the safety restrictions in the training event.” Next was the new battle-effects simulator with a target system. Representatives displayed hostile fire, artillery fire, metal on metal, Stinger/ RPG, smoke and other effects for training events such as convoy live-fire exercises. They also demonstrated a shoulder-mounted Stinger/RPG simulator with video camera and ultra-violet light, as well as a hand-held version. “We’re looking at ways to provide more realism, both from mobilization units and also for our units here at Fort Bliss,” said Sippel. “One way to do that is through simulators, and that’s why I asked them to come out here and provide that.” “We’re looking at improving the convoy live-fire,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Karbler, commander of 3-43 ADA. “Gen. [Richard] McCabe has given us the guidance to make it better, and any kind of training aids that we have to include the simulators that we saw today – they make it better. They make it more efficient. They will actually reduce some manpower requirements in terms of keeping the convoy live-fire lanes up, as well as operating them throughout a week or two weeks our unit goes through convoy live-fires.” Karbler added that although he was surprised to see a few of the rounds penetrating the thinner block, he’s still confident with the product because the company guarantees replacement. “It’s invaluable,” John Paul, range safety officer for USACAS, said of using new products for training servicemembers. “We need to make training as realistic as possible. The battle-effects simulators coupled with our automated targets are going to create an environment that’s going to be so realistic, it will enhance training 10-fold.” Paul added that parts from these demonstrations are scheduled to be implemented within the next 60 days, while most of what representatives demonstrated on the range are scheduled to be implemented within the next 120 days. “Not only is Fort Bliss going to benefit, but all Soldiers coming in - transient Soldiers, mobilizing Soldiers - are going to benefit from these devices.” Paul stressed that other servicemembers and allied forces who train here will benefit as well.