| 1/16/2009 9:09:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| An instructor follows a soldier down the slope at Monarch Mountain Thursday during training. The exercises are part of special training for the U.S. 10th Special Forces Army unit and will continue until the end of January. Soldiers learn survival skills including avalanche safety and recovery.
Photo by Jennifer Denevan
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Special forces set up camp at fairgrounds
by Jennifer Denevan
Mail Staff Writer
Chaffee County Fairgrounds is home sweet home to the U.S. Army 10th Special Forces unit from Fort Carson through January for special cold weather mountain warfare training.
Large green tents, military vehicles and camouflage-clad men make it difficult to miss the military presence. Mobile showers and kitchen complete "home" or the operations base for the unit.
Personnel are using Monarch Mountain and Mirkwood Bowl as primary training sites in addition to the backcountry between Angel of Shavano Campground and North Fork Reservoir, Sgt. Maj. Brad Adair said.
Other sites were considered, but there isn't enough snow, he said.
Trainees learn survival skills and Adair said this type of training is what they are geared for and why they were stationed at Fort Carson - because of its proximity to the mountains.
They must be able to carry all their equipment and survive in cold, snowy weather, he explained.
Soldiers receive training in basics including downhill skiing using military equipment which is different from that used by civilians. It's mostly to become familiar with skis and build Nordic skills, Adair said, but is a minor part of exercises.
Military ski boots have laces rather than buckles reducing the balance platform, increasing need for proper technique, a chief warrant officer and senior instructor said.
They don't use buckle boots because if troops need to hike, they would have to carry a second style of boot, adding to the already heavy load, he said.
Having correct technique means being more energy efficient, making it easier to go further, faster, he said.
Troops spend a week camping, learning outdoor winter survival skills, Adair said.
Classroom type instruction prepares troops for hands-on experience.
"It's a perishable skill," Maj. Charlie Getz said. "In the event we're called upon to do cold weather operations, it could be fatal if troops aren't trained."
Training is on a rotational basis, Adair said. About 160 soldiers are being trained this week and by next week more than 300 soldiers will be at the fairgrounds.
The first group will complete a full week in the backcountry the week of Jan. 19 and will learn avalanche safety and recovery.
Meanwhile, the new group will begin downhill skiing, he said.
Some support troops such as cooks receive some basic winter training, but most of their job is at the staging area at the fairgrounds, Adair said.
Soldiers train Monday through Friday, Adair said, and are allowed into town in the evenings or visit family and friends during the weekend.
Buses transport soldiers to and from town because recreation time is important too, he said.
Getz said the harder training becomes, the more likely there will be minor injuries and sore muscles because bodies get tired. Training isn't meant to be painful or make anyone hate it, Adair said.
Scheduling for training began about a year ago, Adair said.
Officers contacted agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Division of Wildlife to acquire appropriate land use permits, avoid disturbing wildlife and ensure no interruption of business at Monarch Mountain.
"January is a good time to do it because there's a lull in business for Monarch, making it less likely for us to interrupt them," Adair said,
Training during the week reduces interference because more skiers and snowboarders use the slopes on weekends.
"The level of support has been phenomenal," Getz said.
Adair and Getz said they were grateful for the help from Monarch personnel, Jim Mick, fairgrounds manager and other agencies.
Officers said they were able to get permits because they are conscientious of the land and avoid disturbing it or wildlife. They've built a rapport with the surrounding community.
Mick said he is excited to have the troops at the fairgrounds. They did a similar session in 1999 and Mick said he's tried to get them to return since.
"They're a terrific bunch of guys and they really take care of themselves and whatever they use," he said.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Brenda Bell
Good for Chaffee County!!!!
I grew up in Salida and it is always so uplifting when Salida gets to be a part of such great events. Eveyone always says "Small towns are boring" well I guess Salida proved them wrong once a gain.
Brenda Bell
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