2011 was a successful year for TechWise in the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE) Community. During the past year TechWise was awarded four Task Orders: 14S (Avenger) Instructor and Training Support for the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) School; United States Army Armor School (USAARMS) at Fort Benning focusing on Armor Basic Officer Leader Course-Branch (ABOLC-B), Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC), and Abrams Master Gunner Course Instruction; Fort Sill Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD) Writing; and Field Artillery Mobile Training and Assistance Team (FAMTAT) Training at Fort Sill. Following are brief overviews of our two most recent awards:

TechWise Leading the Way on C-RAM Doctrine Development

TechWise was awarded a contract to write several Army Air-Defense and Field Artillery Manuals. One of the Manuals is the Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) Gunnery Operations Training Circular (TC 3-01.60). Drafting this new Manual marks a unique endeavor for TechWise, as this Manual is the first of its kind to exist in the annals of US Army Doctrine. C-RAM is a relatively new system used in the Global War on Terrorism and has been predominately operated not by Soldiers, but Sailors. But as the structure of Army Units and Doctrine continues to change, the need for an Army-specific Manual for C-RAM has become a necessity.

Prior to begin writing the C-RAM Manual, TechWise Doctrine Writers took to the road to conduct research and data collection on the system and generate discussion on how the system operates in theater. Deploying Team Members allowed TechWise Writers to introduce the TechWise name to the Force and demonstrate the level of professionalism to be expected from TechWise. Research began in early October and continued through December. TechWise Writers traveled to South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. At Fort Sill, OK, numerous Subject Matter Experts (SME) offered up their C-RAM insight and experiences.

One of the capstone events for C-RAM research occurred in early December, in the soggy tundra of Fort Sill training areas. The only C-RAM Training Battery in the US Army, D/2-6 ADA, was conducting C-RAM Gunnery Training for all their Soldiers and Members of the Australian Army.

This training event lasted a week and half and provided valuable insight on the equipment, training methods, and lessons learned from C-RAM deployments. It was the first opportunity for TechWise Writers to see the equipment up close and get hands-on training. TechWise Writers were not only able to sit down and talk with Soldiers who deployed numerous times with the system, but were able to participate in crew drills and training to experience the Mission of Air-Defense Soldiers in theater. Despite the wet and cold conditions, the Soldiers and TechWise Team Members were motivated and eager to learn.

The data collection, face-to-face interviews, and training events payoff cannot be quantified. The knowledge and insight gained by this personal approach to Doctrine Writing enables TechWise to provide the fighting Force a document that is based on lessons learned and hands-on training at the Soldier level, and enables Soldiers to execute their Mission, be successful on the battlefield, protecting the Force. Writing Doctrine involves face-to-face interaction, open dialogue and exchange of information, and meeting the people who know the equipment and can offer valuable insight. The TechWise Doctrine Writers continue to adopt and execute this approach flawlessly. TechWise is truly Leading the Way in Army Doctrine Development.

 

Field Artillery Training & Assistance Team (FAMTAT)

As our FAMTAT Team formed and got acquainted, TechWise Personnel, comprising MOS 13D (Fire Direction Center [FDC] Personnel that process and determine firing data for howitzer sections) and 13F (Personnel that locate and send initial target location data to the FDC section) began supporting the Field Artillery (FA) School by assuming Missions ahead of schedule. During our first Mission, MTT001-12, TechWise Trainers Larry Ramirez, Jesus Charriez, and Anthony Edwards spent two weeks at Fort Stewart, GA, assisting 1-76 FA during Manual Gunnery and Digital Operations Training for 45 Soldiers, ranging from the newest Private (E-1) to Second Lieutenant (2LT) Fire Direction Personnel in the Battalion. Classes were well prepared and eagerly received. Soldiers’ comments were very positive and the Battalion Leadership was extremely happy to have the knowledge and experience of our 13D Instructors with the Unit.

TechWise Trainers Charylleo Dorris and Kevin Fabriguze provided Training Assistance for the Fire Direction Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Enlisted Personnel of 1-117 FA, Alabama National Guard 1-7 Nov 2011. They conducted classes on Manual Gunnery skills to provide 50 Personnel from Private First Class (PFC) to 2LT knowledge and skills necessary to pass the Safety Test. The Safety Test is the first step in certifying a Fire Direction Center to process Live Fire Missions. Charylleo and Kevin stated that the Soldiers greatly appreciated the training and that they wished they had more time to spend with the Unit. Charylleo and Kevin provided Observer/Controller support during administration of the Safety test, and although not everyone passed the test, Soldiers told our Team that the Training played a critical role in expanding and refreshing their knowledge base, that the additional Training was extremely helpful, and that they look forward to our Team’s return.

27 Nov 2011 found Larry Ramirez and Charylleo Dorris in Fort Carson, CO, assisting 3-29 FA with their Manual Gunnery and Digital Operations skills during a Live Fire Exercise that lasted until 3 Dec 2011. Larry and Charylleo worked with the Fire Direction Center (FDC) for Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Batteries, answering Soldiers’ questions, providing Training on proper equipment operations, fire command procedures, trouble shooting techniques, and assisting in determining safe Fire Mission data. They found varying knowledge and skill sets among the Soldiers, and an eagerness to learn, accept, and apply properly taught techniques and procedures. Larry and Charylleo were part of a five-man FAMTAT Team providing support not only for the FDCs but also for the M109A6 Paladin Howitzer sections and Q37 Radar systems. As the senior 13D Instructor, Larry received a Certificate of Achievement from the Battalion Commander for the support and assistance provided during “Operation Pacesetter Foundation”. There are already over forty FAMTAT Missions scheduled for 2012.

TechWise moves into 2012 confidently that we will win more FCoE work and thereby support our Warfighters in being the best they can be!