In Spain, Soldiers from nine countries take on Desert Sniper Course

By Sarah Tate, USAREURAugust 9, 2016

Watch and wait
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Snipers observe their target from their hide site during the International Special Training Centre's Desert Sniper Course near Chinchilla, Spain, July 19, 2016. The course is designed for snipers to work in teams to deliver precision fire from concea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
48 hour watch
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A sniper observes his target from his hide site during the International Special Training Centre's Desert Sniper Course near Chinchilla, Spain, July 19, 2016. The course is designed for snipers to work in teams and deliver precision fire from conceal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Multinational sniper team training
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A multinational sniper team observes a target during the International Special Training Centre's Desert Sniper Course near Chinchilla, Spain, July 19, 2016. The course is designed for snipers to work in teams to deliver precision fire from concealmen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Desert Sniper night mission
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A spotter looks out for the enemy as his sniper team observes a target during the International Special Training Centre's Desert Sniper Course near Chinchilla, Spain, July 19, 2016. The course is designed for snipers to work in teams to deliver preci... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHINCHILLA, Spain -- The best way to train Soldiers is to apply the most realistic scenario possible.

With this in mind, the International Special Training Centre offered a two-week sniper course at the National Training Center here in Chinchilla, Spain where the average summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, an ideal setting for training for harsh desert conditions.

Led by five multinational ISTC sniper instructors and three guest instructors from Norway, Spain and Italy, the course was designed for snipers to work in teams to deliver precision fire from concealment in a desert environment.

"This is a great opportunity for not only Spain, but the other countries as well," said Gabriel, Spanish army sniper instructor. "These teams come here to share combat experience, discuss lessons learned, and interact with other snipers and their equipment."

In week one, instructors at the training center, one of the largest in the country, taught 24 shooters from around the world desert survival, building and camouflaging hide sites, and the effects of heat and wind on ballistic trajectory.

The students traveled from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey and the United States. According to Gabriel, the biggest challenge many of them faced in the course was factoring in wind conditions.

"The open areas and small hills create high winds; these conditions played a big role in making the training more difficult," he said.

"We don't take into account how the wind flows through the desert terrain," said student Sgt. 1st Class Juan, Spanish Special Operations Command. "This week we had the opportunity to focus on wind and long range shooting."

Through detailed planning and coordination among Spain and ISTC, the training center's ranges were tailored for real world sniper missions.

"Most military ranges are one direction," said sniper instructor, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Ross. "The Spanish have allowed us to expand outside the arc of the traditional range fan, giving us the ability to shoot 360 degrees."

The snipers completed week one by stalking nearly a mile in the desert heat, using the terrain to their advantage.

"Many people think of the desert and they think of sand dunes," said Ross. "Here, they have the advantage of walking through the valleys, low-crawling through the tall grass and finding cover behind small bushes."

In week two, snipers were divided into three eight-man teams and focused on mission planning and execution. The Spanish Army furthered its support by providing both a Special Operations team to play friendly forces and an opposing forces team from Spain's San Gregorio's Training Center.

After hours of preparation, the teams infilled at night to avoid detection. The last mission would go on for 48 hours before teams had the opportunity to gather intelligence and engage their targets.

They endured the scorching sun during the day, and cold, windy nights -- all while lying in the prone position, remaining undetected by the opposing forces.

"This course is a must do," Gabriel observed. "You must get involved with this type of multinational training. If not, you're missing out on a great opportunity."

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For more information on the desert sniper course, visit the ISTC's official homepage at www.istc-sof.org. U.S. Army snipers interested in the course can register through ATTRS. Multinational snipers may contact their ISTC country liaisons.

Editor's note: Due to operational security, some soldiers are not fully identified in this article.

Related Links:

Army.mil: Worldwide News

U.S. Army Europe

7th Army Training Command

International Special Training Centre