On this day in History - Aug. 21, 1987
Some 30 Pennsylvania employers got a taste of Army life, food and tactics Tuesday at the Mountain Post.
The businesspeople were here to observe the active-duty counterparts of their state's National Guardsmen and Reservists, some of whom they employ.
"They're acknowledging the fact that they support the National Guard and Reserves," said Maj.
Gen. Robert Harris, commander of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. "So, they have come out to see another part of the total force."
The visitors included R.G. Mushens, who runs an advertising firm in Lebanon, and Ford dealer Bob Mentzer of Greensburg. Kathy Kuzka, a news and talk show person from WKST/WFEM AM/FM in New Castle was invited along to send news of the trip back home.
The Pennsylvanians received a briefing at the division headquarters and a tour of post facilities. They lunched on Meals Ready-to-Eat; the field ration package currently used on training exercises.
If MREs weren't the highlight of the day, a pre-lunch exercise by 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry gave the visitors an opportunity to view the unit's tactical abilities.
From a bluff overlooking the long expanse Range 145, the vis
itors watched the training through field glasses as tankers and scouts wiped out "enemy" reconnaissance forces in modern cavalry fashion.
Taking the curtain call, an OH-58 helicopter slid along the terrain maneuvering along the nap of the earth, using trees and other features for concealment. Having radioed a target location, it hovered while armored personnel carriers rolled out to engage the first intruders.
Four M60A3 tanks then moved up to cover the APCs and engage opposing force tanks, BMPs (threat force personnel carriers) and other unfriend-lies spotted by the chopper.
A loudspeaker system linked to the radio net allowed the observers to hear as well as see what was happening.
Maj. Fred Treyz, squadron executive officer, had briefed them on what was likely to unfold in the exercise, and commented about the Cav of yesterday and today.
"I think they liked it," Treyz said. "I'm pretty pleased. We put the briefing together rather quickly.”
Mentzer, whose firm employs several Army National guardsmen, said seeing the exercise was well worth it. He added, “I think more people should see this.”
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