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Tropic Lightning News -- 8 March 2001
 Photo(s) by Sgt. Lauren Reader A Japanese Soldier empties his unit's akio to show the Soldiers of Co. Bn, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. its contents. | Wolfhounds learn skills for field training exercise By Sgt. Lauren Reader HOKKAIDO, Japan - Each day in Japan, the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment learned something new from their Japanese counterparts. Soldiers were trained on the akio, a long sled used to carry equipment for the field, and also trained on snow cats. For the first part of the training, the two Armies compared what was in each other's akio. "We had a lot more items in ours, like a tent, heater, propane tank and shovels. The Japanese just had a tent and the bare necessities," said Pfc. David Sullivan, Company B radio telephone operator. The Wolfhounds put their akio training to the test later in the week for the field training exercise. Once they packed their tents and some necessities, four Soldiers on either skis or snowshoes pulled the akio to its destination. "The hardest part is becoming familiar with the Japanese equipment. We're already pretty acclimated to the weather, it's just the equipment that's so foreign to us," Sullivan said. The second part of the training was the snow cat, a vehicle used to maneuver troops through the snow. Twelve Soldiers formed a ‘V' shape and grabbed the ropes attached to the back of the cat. The cat pulled them through the snow while they were on skis. "I've certainly noticed an improvement in the way my Soldiers ski since they started a week ago. They are more confident with each repetition. It's kind of like surfing in Oahu - some Soldiers have more natural ability," said Sgt. 1st Class Allen DeForde, acting first sergeant for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf Rgt. After the demonstrations and practices on the equipment, the Wolfhounds took to the slopes for more down hill ski maneuvering. Practicing jumps, wedges and ducking under obstacles, they each had a turn down the slope while their fellow Soldiers and counterparts stood along the sides and cheered them on. "I'm surprised at how well the Japanese are at communicating with us. They are excellent teachers. They never get frustrated with us when we don't catch on to something right away. They just laugh at us," Sullivan said. After they mastered skiing and maneuvering, Co. B practiced battle drills with their counterparts until their live-fire exercise. |
