Indiana National Guard hosts, participates in multinational exercise

By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matt Scotten
Indiana National Guard

Norwegian soldiers move in on a mock enemy stronghold as part of a training demonstration held during Bold Quest 2011 at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Ind., Sept. 8 through Sept. 23, 2011. Bold Quest is a Joint Staff lead coalition combat assessment exercise to test the interoperability of target identification systems of member nations to reduce friendly fire incidents. More than 700 foreign and U.S. military members participated in the exercise to include a large number of Indiana National Guard members. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Maddox) (Released)
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EDINBURGH, Ind. (9/28/11) –Indiana National Guard Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment played part in a multinational exercise at Camp Atterbury Training Center this month called Bold Quest 2011.

Bold Quest is a joint staff led military coalition combat assessment exercise designed to test the interoperability of target identification systems of 12 NATO member nations to reduce friendly fire incidents.

The exercise, which involved more than 700 foreign and U.S. military members, took place Sept. 8 through Sept. 23.

John Miller, Bold Quest operational manager, said the exercise brings together coalition forces to analyze and test equipment and training practices to facilitate better communication between joint forces operating in the same area to prevent friendly fire incidents from happening.

This year’s exercise stands out as the first one to involve heavy support from National Guard units, many times role-playing as opposing forces in scenarios that pitted them against military forces from all over the world so that equipment could be tested to identify good guys from bad guys.

The 2nd-151st Soldiers trained in human immersion simulators that allowed operations analysts to gather data on the stress of human decision-making at the war-fighter level, and training solutions to deal with those kinds of stress factors.

“The human immersion simulator was a little difficult to use at first, but once you figure it out, it was great,” said Army Pfc. Kevin Hadley, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd-151st Infantry.

“A system like this would allow the Guard to do realistic infantry training right there in the armory,” he said. “I think every unit should have one.”

Miller said the willingness of the Indiana Soldiers to do whatever was needed during Bold Quest was instrumental in the success of the exercise.

“Everything we have asked the Guard units to do, on the ground and in the air, and in many cases, grab some technologies they were not familiar with, they have just done it and with a great attitude,” Miller said. “Personally, I would repeat this and work with them in this type of venue any time.”

Army Capt. Brent Schmidt, commander of Bravo Company, 2nd-151st Infantry, said although much of what his Soldiers did was act as opposing forces during various scenarios against coalition troops, another purpose was being served at the same time.

“All of my Soldiers wore vests that allowed them to be tracked by the operations section of the exercise,” he said.  “Each Soldier shows up on the tracking equipment to help Bold Quest study how troops can be effectively identified on the battlefield.  The whole time they were out there they were collecting data that could help save lives.”

Army Spc. Nicholas Pudell, a forward observer, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd-151st Infantry, said he is proud that he has been able to take part in Bold Quest and have the opportunity to work with other service members from countries to help test new technologies that could render positive results on the battlefield.

“It was a really good experience,” Pudell said.  “It makes me feel really good that what we’re doing out here could possibly help save Soldiers lives in Afghanistan and Iraq right now.  It also makes me feel really good that they came to the Indiana National Guard and asked us to do this.  It’s a privilege to be here.”

Aside from testing equipment for operations analysts, Indiana Guard members also had the opportunity to get to know soldiers from the participating coalition countries, comparing tactics procedures and weaponry.      

“It’s been pretty awesome seeing some of the similarities, as well as the differences, between our own ways of doing things and those of other units from foreign countries here,” said Army Staff Sgt. Shey Kelley, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd-151st Infantry.

Although this is the first time Indiana National Guard units have participated in Bold Quest, Stuart Whitehead, assistant deputy director of Command, Control and Integration for the U.S. joint staff, said he had all the confidence the Guard would complement the exercise well.           

“My expectation was pretty high because of the Guard’s reputation and the contributions the Guard has made and continues to make in the fight today,” Whitehead said. 

“Given the way the total force is working today, I think what we found is that we are able to work at very high levels of tempo and technical expertise.”

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