Posted on 08/28/2019 12:56:51 PM PDT by robowombat
US Troops Deprived of Hot Meals, In-Door Toilets as They Train for Possible Conflict With Russia, China 22:02 28.08.2019
Tim Korso
In its latest defence strategy guidelines, Washington outlined Russia and China as two possible adversaries in a real-life conflict and has since been conducting numerous military drills in a bid to prepare for a possible war. US Air Force crewmen were forced to live and train under unusually harsh conditions during their stay at Poland's Powidz Air Base, being cut off from running water, hot meals, and indoor toilets, the media outlet Defence News reported, citing US Colonel Donn Yates, the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing.
Such conditions were imposed on them deliberately, as Yates sought to provide his soldiers with "field"-like experience. According to the media outlet, such "Spartan conditions" are used to prepare soldiers for operations in conflicts with a "near-peer adversary" like Russia or China.
"The more it sucks out here — and you’re eating MREs [Meals Ready-to-Eat] and you’re pooping out in the Porta-John — the higher the morale is. We had people out in Poland sleeping in hammocks and stuff, not because we had to but because I wanted them to feel what it is like to live in the field", Yates said.
The crewmen were also trained in resolving everyday problems, such as maintenance and repairing damaged jets, forcing them to be creative. Namely, members of the 4th Fighter Wing had to cut their request for F-15 spare parts in half after finding several solutions to optimise repairs.
The latest US National Defence Strategy, adopted last year, named China and Russia as the two most probable adversaries with whom Washington could fight a war in the future. The White House specifically exploited the idea of potential "Russian aggression" to boost its military presence and conduct regular drills in Europe.
Moscow, in turn, has repeatedly called on Washington to instead establish constructive dialogue and mend relations, as well as slammed some recent US initiatives, such as its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, as harmful for global stability.
“That’s uncool. Sailors who spend months at sea in a metal box, earn those ribbons.”
I was told promotion boards would frown on Navy aviators who didn’t have the normal number of sea service ribbons. The squadron I was in was restricted from sea service, but we deployed to tents in the desert all the time. It would have been unfair also for the guys flying with me to be passed over because their record didn’t show enough “service”.
As an Air Force guy, though, I found it odd. Both Navy & USAF got air medals for flying over bad guy country (and getting shot at) and I thought a promotion board OUGHT to be able to notice the number of air medals earned.
Then again, that wouldn’t have helped our enlisted. Just the guys flying. I agree on the various service ribbons given for being alive during a certain time frame.
Yeah, a lot them are as you say. Another geedunk (sp?) ribbon I wore was Battle Efficiency award for our class ship during Naval exercise competition. It's nothing I specifically earned...it took the entire ship's company (600).
I don't know what goes through the minds of Pentagon desk jockies, but I suppose they give out such pointless ribbons for morale. The only medal I have is a Good Conduct (2). If I had stayed Navy one more year, it would be three and I could change my Crow (stripes) and hash marks on the sleeve to Gold. That is big thing for an E-6. You rarely saw it my day unless a Chief Petty Officer (E-7). I almost got a Navy Achievement medal, but the EO and I were not on good terms.
Enough of my whining. No matter how much time I spent on the flight deck, the in-country grunts are who I respect the most. I feel privileged to have served.
And ruin all the fun? lol
During my first two years in Germany, I'd head down to the Wing Command Post during all AF Tac Evals, to fulfill the role of Army Liasion Officer. I was the only officer besides my CO that had a Top Secret clearance, so I'd spend the entire time down there while he ran the battery.
I'd laugh when the AF personnel would start griping about 12 hour shifts. I didn't leave the CP at all during those 4 days, except to shower and change clothes.
Training in San Franshitsgo
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