They have tanks, combat infantry wagons, mortars and 1 main task – to make life miserable for the sub-chapters that practice at the training ground in Drawsk. For almost a year, soldiers of the 1st Mechanized Battalion from the 2nd Brigade in Złocieniec have served as permanent OPFOR forces at the largest Polish training centre. So far, they have played the function of opponent during 11 different exercises.
The task was hard not to say very difficult. The Reds were to occupy the hill occupied by the enemy. The blues dug at the top and the slope. They placed the infantry in position, but besides the Rosomaki. – I circled among the boys and I saw that they were a bit tense and at the same time powerfully turned on, due to the fact that the situation resembled the 1 from the football field. Just as the Polish representation can lose to anyone, but Russia and Germany, so it was not good for us to fight the sister 12 Brigade – says Colonel Sylwester Kołsutowicz, commander 1st Mechanized Battalion 2nd Mechanized Brigade from the Goldsmith. After a while, there was a signal to attack. The Reds moved, laser beams crossed in the air. The fight was fierce. I got a small emotional myself. For a minute my BWP was on the front line. Eventually, the enemy's defence was broken, says the officer. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion were able to feel satisfaction, although as their commander immediately reserves, in this clash yet it was not about who won. – Our aim in specified cases is not to beat the opponent, but to illustrate any shortcomings that request to be corrected. After all, it's just a exercise – said Colonel Kołsutowicz. Although we gotta add, the exercises conducted on a completely different basis than 2 or 3 years ago.
Gamer will tell the truth
Bang, smoke, blank ammo. The opponent hits a well-defined place and time, after which, according to the scenario, it goes backwards. It's an event improvement well known to almost all soldier. Until recently, a function called OPFOR (from opposing forces) was reduced to assisting the exercise squad on the ground. The opponent appeared, but he could not hurt them. due to the fact that how? The situation changed in 2023, erstwhile the Polish Army began to usage Gamer system. It's a Swedish Saab-produced battlefield simulator. mostly simplistic consists of weapon overlays and sensors installed on soldiers' vests and vehicles. erstwhile the trigger is pulled, the firearm or mortar emits a laser beam, and if it reaches the target, the sensor signals a hit. “In Drawsk Pomerania we have a comprehensive strategy of field simulation that allows training of soldiers to the battalion level,” explains Colonel Maciej Szpak of the Drawsko Combat Training Centre. In another words, more than a 1000 soldiers can simultaneously usage the simulator. In addition, more than 1 100 vehicles, including wheeled armored transporters, combat infantry wagons, and tanks. akin systems, only little developed, are in training centres in fresh Oak, Żagań, Orzysz and Wędrzyn. A company can train there utilizing simulators.
But this is just the first part of the puzzle. Since the soldiers had a modern strategy at their disposal, they had to have a worthy opponent. 1 who fights for real: who can hit out of the blue, modify tactics and... make losses. After all, Gamer and I passed the time of shooting with only blank ammunition. Now “injured” and “killed” can be counted, military movements carefully analysed. In a word, you can make a substitute for a real battlefield on the ground. At that time, the thought of appointing a unit that will play the function of OPFOR permanently was besides born. At least at the largest Polish camp – in Drawsk Pomerania. The choice was just on the 1st Battalion Mechanized 2nd Brigade from the Golden One.
Work Agreement
The battalion did not enter the structure of the Combat Training Centre, but remains at its disposal. – erstwhile planning each exercise we collect data from the unit that orders it. We are designing the script and, if necessary, we are going to ask the commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade to separate appropriate forces – explains Colonel Szpak. It happens often. – Our battalion stays in the training cycle at all times. In preparing for individual tasks, we scope for various types of proprietary solutions. After all, we must act in specified a way as to surprise the opponent as much as possible," said Colonel Kołsutowicz.
It is besides crucial to learn from the war in Ukraine. For example, we effort to get soldiers out of combat vehicles comparatively early. Infantry goes ahead, BWP goes after it – explains Lieutenant Adam Figaszewski, commander of 1 of Company 1 BZ. "With the current saturation of the battlefield, the anti-tank weapon besides long to stay a landing in the vehicle is very risky. 1 good shot could deprive a platoon of 1 4th of soldiers," he adds. Of course, this is just the first example. – In general, I anticipate flexibility from my subordinates. erstwhile I put up a job, I kind of sign a work contract with them. I'm waiting for the effect. As a rule, I do not interfere in the selection of measures which they intend to achieve," says Colonel Kołsutowicz. A akin regulation applies at lower levels, even in relations between company and platoon commanders.
In the last 12 months, soldiers of the battalion from Złociniec have played the function of OPFOR during eleven different exercises. They usually set out on the ground in the strength of an enhanced company, which consisted of various types of platoons. Combat infantry trucks, armored BRDM reconnaissance vehicles, 120-millimeter towed mortars and even T-72 tanks. – Of course you can imagine more modern equipment, but that is not the most crucial – says Colonel Kołsutowicz. – My soldiers learned about the ground almost from the lining. They know how to decision around, how to approach an opponent, how to think creatively, how to find the optimal solution in a given situation. They are a truly hard opponent, no substance who stands in front of them – the officer adds. And so far, the soldiers from Złociniec have faced various tasks. “We were OPFOR for mechanized, armored sub-divisions, but besides 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, erstwhile we had to occupy the designated area and repel the chopper landing”, said Colonel Kołsutowicz. But that is not the end. “In June, during the “Wilk ’24” exercise, we played the function of Blue Force, or Blue Force, for a change. At the camp in Drawsk, we crossed the reservoir of Evil Łęg, and we besides directed fire. On the 1 hand, it was a certification for us to confirm the readiness for further action, and on the another hand another chance to accumulate experience," noted the battalion commander.
And as the soldiers admit, sometimes it's just worth standing on the another side. Enter the shoes of a possible opponent, look at the battlefield with his eyes...
War as part of
It is already known that laser simulators have importantly allowed the field to be transformed into a battlefield. However, it is not that the exercise has become an uncontrolled clash of 2 opponents who, on equal terms, fight for victory. “The Reds proceed to operate, within a certain framework, as defined by the scenario. Their activities are subject to training objectives. However, they have more freedom than always before – says Colonel Szpak. How does that work? – Exercises are divided into respective stages. The OPFOR command is informed of what the Blues will do and gets circumstantial tasks, e.g. to master the indicated radius or area at a specified time. But the way the Reds do it remains in their hands – explains Colonel Szpak. Illustrationally speaking, the storm can start in an hour, but it can start in two. OPFOR forces will besides choose the way they conduct the attack. They will decide what means to usage and whether it is better to storm frontally, or whether tiny groups can penetrate the Blue lines and gradually destruct their vehicles. This is the place to fit in the time prescribed by the training management and operate in the area indicated by them. And what's even more crucial – break as much blood as Blue can. The effects will be visible to the bare eye. Gamer black and white will show how many soldiers on both sides “will die”, how many will be “injured” as many vehicles will be eliminated from the gameplay. “We are always trying to ask the opponent how heaviest losses and at the same time reduce our own losses,” said Colonel Kołsutowicz.
The situation is monitored at all times by representatives of the training management and the peacekeeper acting on their behalf. After closing 1 of the stages of the page, they decision on to another. And yes, if, for example, in the first phase of the Reds attacked, now they can defend themselves. The point is that the trainers go through all the pre-planned episodes and then examine in item what has been successful and what needs correction. – As screenwriters, we follow the full game. We observe the movements of the troops and the way in which the tasks are carried out. Thanks to the system, we can break the full exercise into atoms. Track not only the company's actions, but even a single soldier," explains Colonel Szpak. Then the recordings are made available to the commanders of various levels, who acted on each side. It's a fantastic analysis material. The strategy can detect even the smallest mistake – admits Lt. Figaszewski.
Major Tomasz Drążkiewicz, deputy commander of 1 of the battalions of the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade, speaks in a akin tone. In November, his subordinates had the chance to face 2nd Divisions of the Mechanized Battalion on the occasion ‘Jaguar’24 exercises. – large thing – he comments briefly. “We are not fighting the air, but we are fighting a real opponent who knows the terrain well. In order to offset this advantage, we had to start preparing for the fight early enough. In advance conduct reconnaissance, illustrate all roads, paths, hills. The first run was primarily a test of our reconnaissance units. And then we had a substitute for a real war. This test cannot be overestimated," concludes the officer.
Colonel Kołsutowicz besides talks about the benefits. - We go to the ground all the time. I don't want it to sound immodest, but this gives me the honor of commanding the best trained battalion in the ground troops!
