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Alaskans train at top Jungle Warfare School in India

National Guard Bureau News

Release Date: 6/21/2004

By Sergeant Ken Denny

Camp Denali, Alaska - Nine soldiers from the Alaska Army National Guard's Long Range Surveillance Detachment, of the 207th Infantry Group (Scout), completed a unique mission to India to train with the Indian Army in March and April.

Their mission was to attend the Indian Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) located close to the village of Vairengte deep in the jungles of Eastern India. Originally founded in 1970 to train soldiers to combat insurgents, it has become a premier school not only for training Indian soldiers but foreign armies as well.

The mission was not only unique for Alaska National Guard soldiers it was unique for the US Army as well. Although Special Forces units have trained at CIJWS, it is the first time that National Guard soldiers and active duty components have teamed up to go to this school.

The Alaska Guardsmen teamed up with about 50 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment 172nd Infantry Brigade from Fort Wainwright, Alaska in India for their training.

According to Staff Sgt. Michael Grunst, of the Long Range Surveillance Detachment, "this was the most amazing military education facility anywhere." The opportunity was for the US soldiers to not only train at the school but also to train Indian army soldiers.

"Our training was so much different than the Indian Army," said Grunst, "we just have two completely different theories," he said, "and both of them work."

The soldiers received training in identifying improvised explosive devices (IED), jungle survival, counter terrorism, and interrogation techniques. Soldiers were also trained in jungle reflexive shooting, and a fast roping technique called "slithering", used by the Indian army.

In turn, Indian soldiers learned US Army tactics such as near and far ambushes, and Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT). The soldiers also flew in the Russian Mi-8 Hip helicopter - giving them a first hand operational view of other aircraft they may encounter on a battlefield.

The mission was not without its challenges according to Sgt. Brian Palmatier, LRSD unit member, "It was hot and humid, the environment was the most challenging. The six weeks of train up prior to leaving helped out. The (Indian) people were the friendliest I had ever met," he added.

Although the experience was exciting and geared towards developing a better relationship with our allies, the emphasis of the training was deadly serious and focused on military operations against terrorism.

"The Indian army has 54 years of experience dealing with terrorism," said Grunst. "They have learned valuable lessons that they emphasized and passed on to us.terrorists dwell among us and we may not be able to identify them until it's too late."