1. SPRING FTX 2018
WHO: Golden Buffalo Battalion
WHAT: Spring 2018 Field Training Exercise
WHEN: 20APR18 – 22APR18
WHERE: Jack’s Valley, United States Air Force Academy, CO
PURPOSE: To challenge Cadets while building unit cohesion and Platoon tactical competencies in order to prepare MSIIIs for Advanced Camp.
SUMMARY: The Golden Buffalo Battalion spent the weekend conducting Platoon tactical operations at the US Air Force Academy. Missions included patrol-base operations, movement to contact, raid, ambush, and reconnaissance on OPFOR objectives. Missions were briefed in the field in order to allow MSIII leadership to practice their TLPs.
WRITE UP: On 20 April, more than 130 Cadets from the Golden Buffalo Battalion battled weather, sleep exhaustion, and tough terrain to conduct platoon tactical operations as a part of the Spring 2018 culmination field training exercise. The arduous but rewarding three day field exercise at the US Air Force Academy prepared Cadets at all levels on patrol base operations, movement to contact, raid, ambush, reconnaissance, as well as the planning and execution of the Army operations order. Additional highlights during training included Cadet movement in in UH-60 Black Hawks and realistic casualty treatment and transport while in contact with the oppositional forces.
Top Right – Cadets carry 180lb dummies during DART event in which Platoons had to treat four simulated casualties and request a 9-Line MEDEVAC before transporting them on litters for over 400 meters.
Middle Right – CDT S3 Dominic observes Platoon movements in the TOC as indicated by SAGE Nano-trackers embedded in each Platoon.
Top Left – Cadets move in a file through the woods while en route to their next objective.
Bottom Left – Forty Cadets fly over Denver in UH-60 Black Hawks while en route to the United States Air Force Academy from Boulder Municipal Airport.