KFOR adds fire-phobia training

By Denver Beaulieu-Hains, Joint Multinational Training CommandJanuary 30, 2014

KFOR 18 adds Fire Phobia
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Romanian soldiers conduct fire phobia training during a Kosovo Force (KFOR 18) mission rehearsal exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Jan. 22, 2014. The training prepares the unit to properly react to and mitiga... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR 18 adds fire phobia
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Portuguese Fire Phobia team trained U.S. and multinational soldiers for performing riot control duties when the potential use of fire is greatest. The 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command regularly provides mission rehearsal exercises, s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
KFOR 18 adds fire phobia training to riot control
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers of Lucky Troop, of the 2nd Squadron of the 38th Cavalry Regiment conduct riot control operations during a Kosovo Force 18 at the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany, Jan. 28th, 2014. KFOR prepares units for peace support, stability, and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

At the Hohenfels Training Area, riot control is a staple of NATO's Kosovo Force training, called KFOR, but during KFOR 18, Jan. 16-31, 2014, the Portuguese Fire Phobia Team turned up the intensity with specialized training to familiarize forces with tactics and techniques for reacting to and mitigating the threat of improvised incendiary devices or weapons such as Molotov cocktails.

Albanian, American, Armenian, Romanian, and Slovenian soldiers participated in the training.

"During cold training, they [soldiers] practiced with a plastic bottles filled with water, so the troops could practice their reaction time, and the actual steps they have to go through to put out the fire with their riot gear, said Sgt. 1st Class Nadine M. Grella, a medical observer, coach and trainer assigned to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, who hails from Port Richie Florida. "The platoon leaders in each platoon were assisting their soldiers, making sure they were using the proper techniques. They were very anxious about doing the live training."

The fear of getting burned, and catching on fire were personal concerns, said Sgt. Suren Mirozoyan of the Armenian Army.

"Every time there is a crowd control mission you may have to deal with a situation like that," said Mirozoyan. "The training was well organized and the instructors briefed us very well. It made me more confident. A situation is less dangerous if you know how to react."

This was the first time the Fire Phobia training was integrated into the KFOR mission-rehearsal exercise.

Despite working with fire, there were no injuries.

"They all worked as a team," said Grella. "I think it's something we need to incorporate more often, because as we draw down troops we might be sent other places, not just Kosovo, for peace-keeping missions."

During KFOR 18, the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas is training during KFOR to join Multinational Battle Group-East in Kosovo.

The KFOR training at the HTA happens biannually. The next Kosovo Force, KFOR 19 is set to begin Sept. 2014.

Related Links:

Fire Phobia Training

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