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Military Exercise Under Way In Avon Park

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TBO.com Staff Report

Published: November 5, 2007

TAMPA – A major training exercise is under way at the military bombing range outside of Avon Park for troops about to be deployed to U.S. Central Command Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The semi-annual training event, called Atlantic Strike VI, runs through Friday. The exercise prepares joint and coalition forces for urban close air-support operations, an integral part of the military mission in the war zone, an Air Force news release stated.

Troops from all four military branches are participating.

"Atlantic Strike specifically engages air crews and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in realistic urban close air support scenarios, providing participants with the same type of situations they will find in combat, yet in a controlled environment,'' said Maj. Raymond Brennan, director of Atlantic Strike VI.

One training scenario includes opposing military forces playing the role of enemy insurgents at a simulated Middle Eastern village.

Blank munitions, smoke, ground burst, antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile simulators create a realistic warlike environment for troops to negotiate while conducting convoy and patrol duties, the release stated. Close air support aircraft will simulate targeting enemy positions and show-of-force maneuvers at 500 feet above the ground.

The training operations will extend to local roads beyond the boundaries of the Avon Park Military Range Complex. Military officials have received approval from Avon City officials to conduct parts of the training mission inside the city limits.

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