The White Falcon - 01.05.1964, Qupperneq 4

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WHITE FALCON
Friday, May 1, 1964
Friday, May 1, 1964
WHITE FALCON
5
OUT TO THE FIELD — A com-
pany of troops in the ground de-
fense force formed up and march-
ing to the field not to war but
in training for the eventuality of
being utilized to maintain a hold-
ing action in the event of an at-
tack. Maneuvers such as these
give each man a solid picture of
what is expected of him should
battle conditions exist. Soldiers,
Marines, Airmen, and Sailors, all
dressed alike, carry-out a unified
mission.
READY ON THE RIGHT — Ready
on the Left — Ready on the Firing
Line. Lined up in position on the
firing range, personnel in the
ground defense force prepare to
qualify in the firing of numerous
small hand weapons. A man lies
down to fire from the prone posi-
tion while a safety man stands
at his side to prevent a gunner
from unconciously doing something
that may injury himself or an-
other person.
HOLD IT STEADY — Pfc. A. L.
Allen, first platoon man, gives in-
structions to an Air Force man
in the proper procedures for fir-
ing a machine gun.
Ability Of Armed Command Reaps Excellent Results
PRETTY GOOD POSITION — Lo-
cated on a hilltop for good visibi-
lity a 106 recoilless rifle team
stands ready for action. This
Marine fire team is made up of
(left to right) S/Sgt. J. M. King,
platoon sergeant; L/Cpl. J. Pata-
luna, gunner; Pfc. R. J. Sousa,
gunner; L/Cpl. A. D. Eason, gun-
er; Cpl. R. G. Rogers, maintenance
repairman for the gun; and Pfc.
B. R. Melton, guner.
WELL DONE — After months of
training the exercise to see what
has been accomplished is carried
off of the satisfaction of the criti-
cal eyes of senior observers. As
Cdr. R. Boe, executive officer
of the Naval Station comments on
the day’s work, Ens. B. B. Cutter,
platoon commander; Lt. Col. A.
E. House, ground defense force
commander; Lt. J. D. Killoran, a
company commander and Ens. G.
L. Nebel, a platoon commander
listen.
SHOVE THE HOME — Cpl. B. G.
Pope, Marine Barracks instructs
a sailor in the proper use of a
rifle before going to the firing
line to qualify. S/Sgt. R. R. Ross,
second platoon commander obser-
ves how Pope gives his instruc-
tions. The firing range qualifica-
tion is a primary part of the in-
fantry-type training required to
have an effective ground defense
force.
ON THE MARKER — Commander
Iceland Defense Force drops into
the training area by helicopter
to inspect the training of ground
defense personnel’s positions. He
makes observations from the air
and after the ‘helo’ sets down,
he covers the same area by vehicle
to judge the effectiveness of the
operation. When the troops know
that the Commander may drop in,
unannounced, they are always al-
ert, thus gaining a maximum bene-
fit from the exercises.
Fraternal Four For Fidelity Undertake Unique Unification
by John H. Wilson
HERE’S THE PLAN — Maj. H. C. Holt, USA, outlines the plan of defense to 1st Lt. T. J.
Harrington, UMSC, Company Commander and S/Sgt. R. R. Ross, UMSC, Second Platoon
Commander, Cpl. R. G. Rogers is passing on instructions to the outposts with a transi-
terized remote two-way radio.
Resulting from lessons learned
in past years from an overtrust-
ing optimism, Americans now at-
tempt to rise to any occasion,
when the need is there.
This ability was tested this
month when an ‘alert’ was put in-
to effect. Although half expected,
no one knew just when, except
for the planning staff.
Hundreds of men strained with
anticipation — some complained
— some were overly eager —
most not knowing just what or
why the alert was being called.
ACTION
When the word was passed to
assemble for instructions, action
took place. In minutes, the com-
panies were assembled and the
units moved into their defensive
areas.
As the operating force of NATO
in Iceland, there is the assurance
that IDF will maintain an effec-
tive ground defense force (GDF),
fully trained and ready to act at
all times.
One of the two active GDF’s at
overseas bases, the local force is
in a never-ending state of train-
ing. Unique because it is planned,
trained and executed by soldiers,
sailors, airmen and marines.
EXPERIENCE
Because of their vocation the
marines are responsible for the
training. Their unit has a per-
centage of combat-experienced
men who know the importance and
practical use of a well-trained
ground support organization.
PLANNING
Staff level planning for the
coordination of training, logistical
support, communications and the
numerous other details to put
STRATEGY — S/Sgt. R. R. Ross,
platoon commander draws a laugh
from his troops as he outlines the
plan of action. Gathered around
a fire in the early evening list-
ening to the words of combat-wise
Marine is L/Cpl. D. C. Medeiros,
Cpl. M. Rechtorovic, squad leader;
L/Cpl. A. W. Wood, rifleman; and
Cpl. R. E. Taylor, acting platoon
sergeant.
AIM, FIRE! — Blasting off at the
target, the 106 recoilless rifle is
effective at a good, long range
and the gunners made a hit.
WHAT’S THAT — A BAR man
looks over his shoulder in sur-
prise when the big gun booms
out. He is located far in advance
for the close range work that his
weapon is capable od doing.
GDF into gear requires the uni-
fied efforts of Army, Navy, Air
Force and Marine representatives.
These men are like the middle
men are in the business world,
making possible the smooth flow
of paperwork organization to the
practical application in the field.
TRAINING
The initial stages of training
for the force begins with classes
in basic infantry tactics; then
the positions a squad will take
in the field and the reasons for
placement of fire teams.
Leading into the subject of fire
teams, the men are instructed in
the care and use of rifles, auto-
matic rifles, machine guns and
other hand weapons. A fire team
is composed of an automatic
weaponsman plus supporting rifle-
men. These riflemen serve addi-
tionaly as ammunition carriers
and replacements in ease the man
on the automatic weapon is disab-
led.
SHARPSHOOTER
After a company has been for-
med and split into platoons,
squads and fire teams, the next
step is the firing range. Shop-
men, aircrewmen and office work-
ers find the field work an unusu-
al experience. As one sailor put
it, “Man, I joined the Navy so I
wouldn’t have to march and here
I am making like a foot-soldier.
But I have to admit, it is interest-
ing.”
The same sailor, after firing
a rifle and machine gun for the
first time, made a good score
and gave him reason to do a bit
of bragging about how good he
was with the weapons.
LONG RANGE
Use of the 106 recoilless rifle
plays an intergal role in the
ground defense force and is hand-
led by the men who have this as
a part of their daily work. A medi-
um range ground weapon, the 106
is manned by marines under su-
pervision of a platoon sergeant.
These guns can be loaded on a
jeep and transported to practical-
ly any spot where they are need-
ed.
EVAULATION
Personnel that go through GDF
training have four phases in the
cycle. This activity is in addi-
tion to their regular jobs. Drills
and alerts provide Commander
Iceland Defense Force with an
opportunity to make a periodi-
cal, but realistic evaluation of the
operational readiness of the com-
mand. This evaluation is to judge
the effectiveness of the training
and what measures must be taken
to improve it.
In addition to testing the effi-
ciency of the ground training
units, alerts provide an oppor-
tunity for a look at weapon sys-
tems capabilities and how the uni-
fied command functions; plus
reactions to logistical support.
BATTLE STAFF
Communications and tactical
operations center activities also
play a major role in the evalua-
tion, tied-in with the ground phase
of an exercise is the air defense
and disaster control operations.
Then, too, the simulation of eva-
cuation of non-combatants and
setting up first aid facilities to
care for the injured.
GOT A BEAD ON HIM — A Navy rifleman lies in the rocks, shielded
and ready to take action when requires. When cover is not present in
the immediate area the ground defense personnel pull one together
such as this one.
SATISFACTION
When reconnoitring the dif-
ferent command posts, platoons
and fire team positions, it is
difficult to distinguish the dif-
ference between sailor or airman.
The marines have accomplished
their job well in the shox-t hours
that have been available for
training. Equipped and alert
among the rocks, the individual
appears ready and willing for the
job at hand.