FORT WORTH AIRPOWER COUNCIL Visits* FORT HOOD TEXAS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM FORT HOOD

It was before the crack of dawn when FWAPC members and their guests climbed aboard the charter bus on their way to Fort Hood, Texas….Home of III Corps and its many Army units. We were eagerly greeted by Andy Bird (Col.USA-ret), the Deputy Garrison Commander, and members of his staff.

Eagerly doesn’t begin to describe the “Hoo-Ah” attitude of our hosts. They are familiar with the FWAPC, and aware of the generosity of our members and Foundation to the Military units at NAS/JRB, BAMC and to their own troops at Fort Hood. We all felt genuinely welcome.

The “Warrior Skill Trainers” made up one part of the tour. Imagine yourself in a darkened room, one of 10 FWAPC ‘troops’ each armed with either an M-16, M-4, SAW, or M-60. These are actual used weapons modified to shoot laser rather than bullets. On your belly, as very wide screens in front of you project a series of highly graphic and realistic movie scenarios. Maybe a street in Baghdad, or a village outside of Kabul. Some innocent civilians; some not so innocent. A few “friendlies” in the mix….or are they? Your job? Don’t shoot unless you have to, then only the bad guys. Next scene: They’re all ‘bad guys’, and they’re shooting at you. Your weapon does run out of ammo if you don’t remember to reload, and hey, it’s dark in here.

Every shot you’ve fired (automatic weapons fire a lot of rounds) is later identified on the screen. You can’t hide your shots since each one has your individual number under it. So, how’d we do? Let’s just say…..if any real ‘bad guy’ shooting is required, they probably won’t ask our group to do it.

Next stop; let’s try a similar scenario, but inside a Hummvee. Five FWAPC men packed inside the Hummvee. One is our 50 cal. guy standing up in the middle. One is our driver. (Make a note: Do not ride with “U-Turn Palomares” if you can help it.) High speed, down Baghdad streets.

Keep your M-16 ready, ignore the folks throwing stones at you, and don’t shoot anyone but the bad guys, assuming you can figure out just which ones they are.

Next, we were able to witness, but agreed it was best we did not join, the troops who were experiencing ‘roll-overs’ in armored vehicle simulators. One look at the faces of those troops leaving that room, and we decided that heading for lunch was our preferred priority.

At the luncheon we had the pleasure of meeting the Deputy Commander of III Corps, B/Gen P.J. Atkinson. General Atkinson is a Canadian General and a key leader in the blending of training of Canadian and US Army troops. The “Colonial Club Commander”, Jim Thomason, made a dress appearance to present General Atkinson with a gift from the Crown Plaza Colonial PGA of 1,000 tickets to be distributed to troops at Fort Hood. The ticket value of this gift is $45.000, and was very much appreciated by the military.

When Andy Bird learned that one of our group, Jim Salinas, had been a training buddy of Elvis Presley, at Fort Hood in the 50’s, he  found a framed sketch of Elvis to aid Jim in remembering the good old days of marching in the sand in Texas.

Hood Army Airfield made up the other half of the tour, where the group not only were able to climb in and out of a variety of helicopters, but had the added thrill of ‘flying’ helicopter simulators. These simulators provide trainees with an exceptionally real feel of piloting the ‘copter, with windshield screens providing any venue the instructor selects, as well as very realistic weather, sound, and vibration. After 30 seconds in that seat you forget that it’s not all real. The graphics are exceptional.

Those of us who thought ‘chopper flying was a matter of moving a stick or two suddenly found out what it was like to try to control a brick that simply wanted to follow the law of gravity. Jim Thomason, a former Army ‘copter pilot, felt right at home in that seat and instinctively countered all the rain, lightning, snow and winds Don Shelton convinced the instructor to throw into Jim’s flight.

The visit ended with FWAPC plaques being given to each of our host units, and a final discussion with General Atkinson. He is a very candid, impressive and motivational Canadian General Officer, with a clear and realistic vision of the need and value of the training being provided at Fort Hood. The troops who complete this training are uniquely prepared for deployment.

There’s no doubt…….FWAPC will be back to Fort Hood in the future. After all, we haven’t trained in tank warfare yet.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM FORT HOOD

* All FWAPC trips are paid for by the individuals traveling and not from funds raised to aid our troops and their families.

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