VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, Republic of Georgia - They are quite familiar to most U.S. troops who have taken part in exercises at any major Army training center in recent years. The ever-present safety glasses, a vest full of smoke grenades and pyrotechnics, and the "God gun" give the Joint Multinational Readiness Center's observer-controllers a certain level of mystique as they stand in the midst of simulated battle observing, directing, and facilitating training from the individual troop level all the way up to brigade combat team maneuvers.
In the near future, Georgian troops may begin to experience the same fear of the "God gun" -- a laser device OCs use to set off sensors Soldiers wear during training, marking troops as "killed" or "wounded" during a training scenario -- as OCs from the JMRC's "Grizzly Team" coached and mentored OCs for the Georgian army during exercise Immediate Response 2010.
As part of the exercise, Georgian trainers were paired up with Grizzly Team trainers of the JMRC's Operations Group to develop techniques for Georgian trainers to use in preparing their own troops for operations in Afghanistan.
The focus of Immediate Response was preparing Georgian and U.S. troops for counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, and the Grizzly Team's focus was no different in preparing the Georgian trainers, who were attentive learners.
The OCs trained together on specific tasks, such as basic squad and platoon operations, clearing rooms and buildings, and cordon-and-search operations.
In addition to training on these tasks, the OCs -- U.S. and Georgian -- shared tactics, techniques, and procedures that help them provide the training that will prepare their troops for combat.
"I'm learning from this and taking it as a new experience," said one Georgian OC, Cpl. Mikael Bagdasarov. "I'm watching what they do, and that's beneficial for me."
While the Georgian trainers were happy to learn from the Grizzly team, it was truly a joint experience and OCs from both forces said it was a good opportunity to learn together.
"It's been exciting seeing how they do things and passing on our techniques," said U.S. OC, Sgt. 1st Class William Wnuck. "It's been a great learning experience for all."
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