Superior Training Requires a Strong Opponent

By Staff Sgt. David J. Overson, 301st Public Affairs DetachmentSeptember 11, 2016

Partnered Planning
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Serbian Army 2nd Lt. Senka Gromovic (L) and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Andrew Porraz from Houston, Texas, walk the lanes at a combined arms rehearsal at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, for Combined Resolve VII, Sep. 5, 2016. Gromovic and Porraz represen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pre Combat Checks
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, receive final instructions as they prepare for their opposing force duties at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Germany, for Combined Resolve VII, Sep. 5, 2016. Co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Slovenian Soldiers in the Fight
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Slovenian soldier prepares to participate in an opposing force exercise at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Germany, for Combined Resolve VII, Sep. 5, 2016. Combined Resolve VII is a 7th Army Training Command, U.S.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany- In today's Army anticipating your enemy's next move is crucial for proper preparation. To train to do this, an opposing force is required. This is the mission of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, who takes pride in challenging the U.S. and multinational forces who rotate through the Joint Multinational Readiness Center here, for Combined Resolve VII.

Combined Resolve VII is a 7th Army Training Command, U.S. Army Europe-directed exercise taking place at the Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas, Aug. 8 to Sept. 15, 2016. The exercise is designed to train the Army's regionally allocated forces to the U.S. European Command. Combined Resolve VII includes more than 3,500 participants from 16 NATO and European partner nations.

A full OPFOR unit will contain all the components of a full combat brigade to include ground forces, heavy artillery and air support. Their main objective is to hit a full, opposing brigade with all they have as if they were indeed a real enemy. This provides the units rotating through JMRC with tough, realistic training that is unique to this environment.

Training alongside the U.S. OPFOR during Combined Resolve VII are Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division, and units from Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia. All take pride in the ability to provide a strong opposing force which allows NATO members and partners to train in the most realistic environment possible.

Prior to their main attack, the OPFOR, like all well trained battalions, conducts a combined arms rehearsal, which walks key leaders through each stage of the pending attack to ensure it is performed with precision and flows as the commander envisions.

The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Mathew Archambault, likes what he sees at the CAR. It allows all parties, including the other nations, to work with one another. It also helps to bridge the communication gap prior to their assault.

"One of the largest challenges I face as the OPFOR battalion commander is conveying the message to the other nations that it's OK to make a mistake," said Archambault. "When they come here it's a training exercise, and I want them to take risks and try new things. I want them to maximize their training experience; it helps them learn and grow."

One of the NATO partner countries participating in this exercise is Serbia, and one of their key leaders is 2nd Lt. Senka Gromovic, who is on her 2nd rotation at JMRC.

"One of the largest challenges I have faced here is learning to work with our partner nations," said Gromovic. "However, through repetition and a lot of patience it makes sense now. I feel confident in our ability to fight beside our allies."