HOHENFELS, GERMANY -- The humming of computers and the radio chatter from the units on the battlefield fill the Division Tactical Operations Center (DTOC) on the first day of the battle between the fictional nations of Atropia and Ariania here during exercise Combined Resolve IV.
Behind the massive computer screens that project the battlefield in real time, is Capt. Jake Hartson. Hartson, one of the battle captains in the DTOC, is responsible for monitoring the battlefield and reporting the movements on the battlefield to the Chief of Operations (CHOPs) of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, the Army's primary maneuver training organization in Europe and the only overseas combat training center.
Hartson started his military career at the age of 17 in ROTC and chose to serve on active duty as an Armor officer. His first duty station was here as a platoon leader for the 1-4 Infantry Battalion who act as the opposing force (OPFOR) for the rotational training units that cycle through training events in Hohenfels.
Hartson has been a battle captain for five months and said the position was, "quite a challenge at first." His previous positions were from a company level prospective and the battle captain responsibilities are at a brigade level, which means there are a far greater number of units to keep track of.
Hartson and his battle Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) use the Command Post of the Future (CPOF) software and hardware to monitor the units on the battlefield to ensure the scenarios are meeting the intent of the training center and maximizing training effectiveness.
They constantly monitor the GPS signal from the units on the battlefield, which are portrayed by graphics on the large screen at the front of the DTOC. The units will radio in reports, which are then compiled and sent up to the CHOPs. If adjustments need to be made to the units on the battlefield the battle captains and NCOs will ensure the units make those adjustments.
Sgt. 1st Class Adam Hullet is one of Hartson's battle NCOs and has been in the Army for 13 years. Hullet's position differs from Hartson's in that he has to constantly track each movement and every report that comes into the DTOC.
Hullet said Hartson, "keeps the pulse on all current operations in the (Hohenfels) Box." He also has the authority to launch medical evacuations for those that call in for medical aid on the battlefield.
"It is an adrenaline hike," Hullet said, because you are not sure how severe the situation is as you hear it over the radio.
The position of the battle captain and battle NCO are essential to a successful Combined Resolve IV because they are the ones with the most current knowledge and they keep operations going as smoothly as possible during the exercise.
Combined Resolve IV takes place in Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr (Germany) from May 1-June 26. The Combined Resolve series is designed to exercise the Army's Regionally Aligned Force to the U.S. European Command, currently being filled by the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, and the 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element, out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
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