Gordo_Viper
-
Posts
926 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Calendar
Posts posted by Gordo_Viper
-
-
Very cool vid. Thanks for sharing
It is amazing that operators from 10 different nations can work so well together considering the different training, equipment, systems etc
At least across most of the NATO and ABCA (especially) nations there has been quite a lot of standardized equipment. The training across ABCA and some of the NATO SOF is quite similar too. There is quite a lot of cross polination of unit visits and also Liason Officers.
It's becoming pretty hard to pick which ABCA SOF unit is represented in a picture from Afghanistan (except for the National Flag)!
-
Anyway, now that I'm done being obnoxious,
Like that is ever going to happen.
Nice, Gordo! Makes me want to pull out my VBS discs again. Too bad my computer can't handle it any more.
Zjj,
If you ever get a PC that can run it let me know.
@Rocky: No problem at all mate.
For the VBS2 PE users out there VBS2 2.0 will be provided to you guys as a free update as well.
Yeah, but I'll always be loyal to GR. Of course this looks very interesting. Ground Branch really does too.
Ground Branch is going to be a great title...no doubt about that. You only need to look at the heritage of games that group have delivered to the market.
ArmA3 is going to be another good title...and for the more hard core stuff DCS series is pretty damn good for the air side of things.
Anyway, where do you buy this?
Start with a PM to gordo requesting a quote.
Riley. VBS2 is used by most of the Worlds militaries for training; we do sell a Personal Edition for serious gamers. But it's in no way priced like normal computer games and it doesn't have a campaign or any single player missions that ships with it.
It does however have a very powerful mission editor (3D) and the ability to record the action and provide an AAR and also run time authoring (changing the scenario on the fly). If you're interested shoot me a PM!
Just because I love to be annoying.....
Ghost Recon 1 has pretty much everything this one does, minus the third-person views I'm seeing.
Sorry, just wanted to prove that Ghost Recon is still the best game out there. Anyway, now that I'm done being obnoxious, anyone know how you get a copy of this series? Or is it like for the military?
VBS2 is mainly a military tool. So it has some things that tend to set it apart from most other titles out there.
-very large terrain areas. VBS2 2.0 can support multi map technology allowing 500km by 500km terrain areas and larger
-After Action Review tool (records all the fun)
-Correlated Terrain i.e. Real World Locations
-HLA/DIS capability allows it to link in with other simulation systems
And yes GR1 is the grand poo bar for a lot of excellent FPS games out there.
-
My wife and I wanted to go and watch, but we couldn't get there in time. Looks like a fantastic demonstration though!
G'Day mate! Been way too long.
Looks like it would have been an excellent demo to witness! I've seen a few down here in Australia over the last few years and they are impressive! Though i was a little bit closer then the video was taken from!
There is talk of creating International SOF capabilities based on regions. I.e. sharing more intel and resources...could be a good thing.
-
VBS2 2.0 Video: Note does contain fairly detailed wounding model; might disturb some people.
-
-
-
We had a bash at the first two yesterday, a lot of fun. There were spaces as not everyone turned up and there is already talk of another go this Wednesday UK time. Well made missions with more than a feel of GR accordinging to those that played both.
Excellent. I'll be sure to look for a game (most likely on the weekend!)
-
Yeah it's a grand old time. Any interest in Co-Op play with other Gr.Net players?
-
Oh he's a hero. But typically with the case with guys like that he's pretty damn humble about it all and can't understand why he was selected out of all his mates to be awarded that honor.
As to the floods down here...yeah Northern Australia has been copping it again. It's our wettest summer in quite some time; but ironically we've had bush fires on the Western side of Australia. Nice and dry where we are at the moment. Had a 110+ per day week back here about three weeks ago.
-
Will do mate. Be good to catch up. Likewise if you get down to Australia!
-
RIP Sam. Condolences to his family and his friends.
-
http://www.defence.gov.au/special_events/Roberts-Smith/index.htm
On the 11th June 2010, a troop of the Special Operations Task Group conducted a helicopter assault into Tizak, Kandahar Province, in order to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander.Immediately upon the helicopter insertion, the troop was engaged by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from multiple, dominating positions. Two soldiers were wounded in action and the troop was pinned down by fire from three machine guns in an elevated fortified position to the south of the village. Under the cover of close air support, suppressive small arms and machine gun fire, Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of the enemy position in order to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions and regain the initiative.
Upon commencement of the assault, the patrol drew very heavy, intense, effective and sustained fire from the enemy position. Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol members fought towards the enemy position until, at a range of 40 metres, the weight of fire prevented further movement forward. At this point, he identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by a small structure.
As he approached the structure, Corporal Roberts-Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the throes of engaging his patrol. Corporal Roberts-Smith instinctively engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy. His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns. Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Corporal Roberts-Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position killing the two remaining machine gunners.
His act of valour enabled his patrol to break-in to the enemy position and to lift the weight of fire from the remainder of the troop who had been pinned down by the machine gun fire. On seizing the fortified gun position, Corporal Roberts-Smith then took the initiative again and continued to assault enemy positions in depth during which he and another patrol member engaged and killed further enemy. His acts of selfless valour directly enabled his troop to go on and clear the village of Tizak of Taliban. This decisive engagement subsequently caused the remainder of the Taliban in Shah Wali Kot District to retreat from the area.
Corporal Roberts-Smith’s most conspicuous gallantry in a circumstance of extreme peril was instrumental to the seizure of the initiative and the success of the troop against a numerically superior enemy force. His valour was an inspiration to the soldiers with whom he fought alongside and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
And earlier...
On the night of 31st May 2006, Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith was employed as a patrol scout and sniper in a patrol which was tasked with establishing an Observation Post near the Chora Pass in extremely rugged terrain overlooking an Anti Coalition Militia sanctuary. Early in the patrol, after an arduous ten hour foot infiltration up the side of a mountain, the patrol was required to coordinate offensive air support to assist a combined Special Operations Task Group and other Special Forces patrol who were in contact with the Anti Coalition Militia in the valley floor to their north. Following this engagement the patrol remained in the Observation Post to continue providing vital information on the Anti Coalition Militia in the area. This comprehensive reporting had a significant effect on shaping the local area for the subsequent coalition forces operation.
On the 2nd June, the Observation Post had become the focus of the Anti Coalition Militia force and repeated attempts to locate and surround the position ensued. In one particular incident the Militia attempted to outflank the Observation Post. Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith was part of a two man team tasked to move out of their relatively secure Observation Post in order to locate and neutralise the Militia and regain the initiative. This task was successfully achieved.
In another incident, two Anti Coalition Militia attempted to attack the Observation Post from a different flank, Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith again moved to support and neutralise one of these Militia. Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith then realised that the forward edge of the Observation Post was not secure and made the decision to split the team and take up an exposed position forward of the patrol so he could effectively employ his sniper weapon. Whilst isolated, and in his precarious position, he observed a group of sixteen Anti Coalition Militia advancing across open ground towards the Observation Post. Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith effectively employed his sniper rifle to stop their advance whilst receiving very accurate small arms fire from another group of Militia to his flank.
Through his efforts, Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith maintained the initiative and ensured that his patrol remained secure by holding this position without support for twenty minutes. He was eventually reinforced by his original team member and together they continued to hold off the Militia advance for a further twenty minutes until offensive air support arrived.
Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith’s actions on the 2nd June 2006, whilst under heavy Anti Coalition Militia fire and in a precarious position, threatened by a numerically superior force, are testament to his courage, tenacity and sense of duty to his patrol. His display of gallantry in disregarding his own personal safety in maintaining an exposed sniper position under sustained fire with a risk of being surrounded by the Anti Coalition Militia was outstanding. His actions, in order to safeguard his patrol, were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of Special Operations Command Australia, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
-
I'd say a lot have watched it. It aired in the U.S. a few years ago and it's been on YouTube for as long.Did anyone see this on uk tv last night?, never realised how much abuse the 416 can take.DS
Had heard the A3 416 was having some issues. But it appears to work pretty well otherwise!
-
Hmm, issuing any weapon to highly trained troops is easy: you give them UZIs or baseball bats, it doesn't matter, they are master of all.
Now, hardly a special forces platoon will be ambushed, most likely logistical personnel or basic infantry.
The weapon is heavy and the ammunition too, but the max range is outstanding.
Well, if the troops are happy with it, maybe some more employment should be looked at.
Maybe a new position in a infantry squad/platoon or assign grenadiers to it?
Currently, how much is a XM25?
They go for about 30,000 a pop.
Link:
Apparently the troops in theatre are nicknaming it Punishment .
They did some of the test/eval using VBS2:
-
Well if theyre directing the next invasion of Iran I dont hold out much hope for you mate
Yeah Crowie. Loved the comment one guy made...gee I didn't realise North Korea was that big lmao
-
-
I didn't get to play video games in Mob... damn.
I like the simulators (like for the Bradleys) and even the EST (Electronic Skills Trainer) for mock-range time. But when it came down to situational awareness, Counter-IED, Counter-Sniper etc... nothing beat real life lane training. Forcing yourself to look 360*, movement techniques etc. Just gotta get out in the field and do it.
Ruin,
Live training is always a good thing. Simulatior training prior to the live stuff makes it more effective.
Neat little system at Bragg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G067gF94wZk
Very interesting read, indeed. Speaking of interesting reads and software, I read an article recently which stated that the SASR had used 'virtual reality' software to prepare themselves prior to going to Afghanistan and taking part in Operation Anaconda. The article didn't mention the software by name, but I'm 110% sure that it was VBS1.
Para,
Yeah that'd be VBS2 mate. There not the only ones using it in theatre.
-
This past week marked the release of the latest version of Medal of Honor, a videogame that has come under a great deal of fire since it was revealed that in its newest iteration players would be able to assume the role of Taliban fighters and fire on American troops. After fielding protests and complaints, Electronic Arts made a last-minute decision to rename the terrorists in the game, calling them “an opposing force” instead of “the Taliban.”
The controversy is hardly a surprise, given that the game addresses an ongoing conflict, a fight where moms and dads, brothers, sisters and friends are still in harm’s way. What is surprising is that playing a videogame where players can assume the role of terrorists is something that the U.S. Army not only understands, but actively develops and plays on a regular basis.
Pretty interesting read.
-
Hey Mate!
Good to hear you're doing well and have a new hobby! Take care of yourself!
BTW I've seen some artwork representing you in a SOF book published in Australia (based on SOF and PMCs operating in Iraq). Will have to scan it for ya!
-
Awesome series on the NZSAS. 18 Part Series...really well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPQ6OFG8ZnU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdfIYsmHAR0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4BKDeW1dm4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CSxIy7y8PI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W757lcYfRkw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OFcMM5KxcM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i53FN1WXnG8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3IJmFirRU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsYd3aXj4b8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufgkeYe8WkU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuLLUzcoy48&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN9qtdJvGh0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P7DDvRv27M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNGCJAwhnQA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R82QeqpvjY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECynTmCeW8o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZhsRWAvHMc&feature=related
Two Part interview with Willie Apiata VC
-
Amputee Graduates SWC Sniper Course
Edit: Seems the PAO either had a sense of humor or likes to misspell surnamesFORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, July 23, 2010) – John Wayne has toured Afghanistan and Iraq, hunted grizzly bears in Alaska and earned the Silver Star; and as of July 16, John Wayne is the first one-legged Soldier to graduate the Special Forces Sniper Course.Staff Sgt. John Wayne Walding of Groesbeck, Texas, that is.
In April 2008, Walding and nine other Special Forces Soldiers from a 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) assault team were attacked by the Hezeb Islami al Gulbadin while searching for insurgents in Afghanistan's Shok Valley.
Walding, one of several team members who were injured, took a bullet through his right leg under his knee.
“I ripped off my boot lace and literally tied my leg to my thigh to keep it from flapping around,” Walding said.
Over the six-and-a-half hour firefight, more than 150 insurgents were killed. The members of the assault team were each awarded the Silver Star in December 2008 for their courageous actions in Shok Valley.
While recuperating, Walding worked as an assistant instructor at 3rd SFG(A)'s sniper detachment at Fort Bragg. In order to become a full-time instructor, he had to complete the Special Forces Sniper Course at SWCS.
During the course, many of Walding's classmates didn't know about his injury and prosthetic leg. Walding said he enjoyed his fellow Soldiers’ reactions upon learning about his missing leg.
“At first, [my classmates] were shocked to realize I was missing a leg,” Walding said. “Then, they realized ‘Wow, he’s doing everything I’m doing!’”
After his injury, Walding knew he wasn’t going to give up and leave the Army. He also didn’t want to spend the rest of his career behind a desk.
“You don’t become a Green Beret because you ‘kind of like it,’ you become a Green Beret because you love it and can’t imagine being anything else,” he said.
Walding said he refused to lower his personal standards following his injury, and pushed himself to excel as an instructor because he knew teams and Soldiers were relying on him. Due to his past experiences, Walding said he has a lot to offer as a member of a Special Forces team, and wouldn’t bother trying to get back to a team if he hadn't felt he could be an asset.
The seven-week Special Forces Sniper Course teaches sniper marksmanship, semiautomatic shooting, ballistics theory and tactical movement. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Owens, an SFSC instructor in 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), emphasized the importance of these skills, and said it takes Soldiers like Walding to push themselves to the limits.
“Snipers have become more dynamic over the past 10 years,” Owens said. “Considering current operations overseas, snipers have never been more prevalent, because of the need for distance shooting in rugged terrain.”
Walding said he loves everything about training to be a sniper, particularly the mission, the guns and the skill. He even enjoyed training during the hottest June ever recorded in North Carolina.
“The skill of a Special Forces sniper is unparalleled,” Walding said. “This is the most prestigious sniper school in the world. That means something.”
“There was never a doubt that Walding would do well in this course,” Owens said. “He is extremely motivated, and that never dropped during the course.”
“He never asked for special treatment; he did the same training as everyone else, and scored well in all the exercises.”
Walding’s no-quit attitude has taken him from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. back to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he’s become the first amputee to graduate from the Special Forces Sniper Course.
During his initial recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., Walding set up short-term goals for himself. He was a runner before the incident, averaging 50 miles per week. During recovery, he would get up and run a little more every day, always keeping his focus on that next step.
Walding is using the same process to work his way back to an operational role. As a Soldier, his first step was to finish the sniper course; the next step is acting as an instructor for his fellow Soldiers. He said he's hoping to work his way back to a place on an operational Special Forces detachment.
“I’m John Wayne, born on the 4th of July. This is what I was meant to do.” Walding said.
-
Exercise Winged Warrior once again offered some pre-deployment training for the next rotation of personnel from 430 (Tactical Helicopter) Squadron, based at Valcartier, Que. who are headed for Afghanistan.
The exercise, based in virtual reality using high tech simulation, was set in contemporary Afghanistan and challenged CH-146 Griffon and CH-147 Chinook helicopter crews with a variety of scenarios and the "unexpected" that comes with operating in a hostile environment.
The simulated environment gained another level of realism at this year’s exercise by increasing involvement by other nations including Germany and the United Kingdom.
Lieutenant-Colonel Rudolf Fendt, a squadron commander in Germany, along with Lieutenant-Colonel Christoph Hegele from the German Army, came to observe the exercise from a simulation standpoint.
“We are trying to get as much information about the exercise as possible,” said LCol Hegele. “I have never personally worked with the Canadian Forces before, and I am very impressed with the organization here. For us to reach this level of organization would take a lot of work, but it’s a goal for us to reach the level you have.”
While the German forces have been a strong coalition force in Afghanistan, they admittedly do not have the same “work-up” training as the CF. They observed the simulation portion of the training in order to bring back the lessons 1 Wing Kingston has learned.
Colonel Christopher Coates, 1 Wing Kingston Commander, invited other nations to the exercise in order to increase the level of realism, as Canadians work with coalition forces in Afghanistan. He also knows how valuable a training tool Ex Winged Warrior is, and was eager to share the knowledge that can be gained by such an experience. LCol Fendt saw the potential to learn as soon as he found out about Ex Winged Warrior and contacted Col Coates through European military channels in order to participate.
“We would like to introduce simulation for [our] NH 90 [helicopters] being sent to Afghanistan, so we [wanted] to see what the CF [was] doing in terms of simulated training that we haven’t learned yet,” LCol Fendt said.
Two officers from the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom, Flight-Lieutenant Steve Hewer and Captain Neil Simons, participated in the exercise as Chinook helicopter experts and pilots. Although they say there are similar training exercises in the UK, the Canadian exercise is advantageous because it trains everyone at the same time, including commanders and aviators.
“That’s an improvement here, because [the exercise] trains everyone from high command all the way down to the crews. That’s an advantage, because you know everyone has been put through the paces. We train our components separately, and augment them in theatre, making our headquarters there a mish-mash of personnel,” Flight-Lieutenant Hewer said.
Another added benefit of Ex Winged Warrior, says Col Coates, is it gives crews the chance to fly their respective types of helicopters together in a simulated environment before having to do it in Afghanistan.
“It’s pretty hard to train aircrew on a platform which Canada doesn’t possess on home soil. This is the only chance Griffon and Chinook crews have to fly together before they arrive in theatre,” said Col Coates.
The exercise has been so successful that the British forces hope to return for the next Winged Warrior exercise, with even greater expectations than this time.
“I would like to see [even greater] British participation for the next Winged Warrior. I would like to send a Merlin crew, an Apache, and maybe a Sea King, but that might be tough to accomplish,” said Flight-Lieutenant Hewer.
Ex Winged Warrior originated as a live-flying, live-firing event in 1981 as the final performance check of the Advanced Aviation Course. It still serves this function for the now Advanced Tactical Aviation Course but was converted from a live to a synthetic environment in 2006. The latest version of the exercise served solely as a step towards achieving a state of high readiness for the next rotation of CF personnel headed for Afghanistan, which includes tactical helicopter personnel from 430 (TH) Sqn.
-
DS,
Yeah mate. Apparently the normal Aussie cammo pattern for the regulars is going to change as well.
@Ghostbusters comment: That's the local Police force the chicken stranglers work with...they've trained and equipped them to a pretty good standard.
-
DS;
Aussie SOF are using the Multi-Cam now as well mate...just to make things interesting:
http://www.defence.gov.au/op/afghanistan/gallery/2010/20100616/index.htm
VBS2 2.0
in Virtual Battlespace series
Posted
D,
It's not an issue mate. We can still update your key without any issues to the new key type.