SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. (1/25/12) – Colorado Army National Guard Special Forces Soldiers trained more than 25 Hawaii National Guard in essential tasks for extreme cold weather survival in here today.
The troops represent the COARNG’s 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group and the HING’s 93rd Civil Support Team.
Training covered critical areas such as land navigation, snow shelter construction, first aid, gear and equipment, and building a fire in deep snow conditions.
The 93rd CST is in Colorado to train and work with the CONG’s 8th CST for operations during the Winter X Games.
Army National Guard Maj. Brett Martin, 5/19th operations officer, said the training is applicable to any snowy, mountainous terrain, regardless of exact location. He added that knowledge in areas such as land navigation and basic medical knowledge can apply to many situations.
“The training being provided by the 5/19th is fantastic – tremendously outstanding,” said Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joe Laurel, commander of the 93rd CST.
“We’re all excited to be here,” said Martin. “It’s a beautiful day and this is a great place to be.”
The 5/19th trains at least once a year in mountainous winter weather at Camp Hale, Colo. These SF Soldiers, along with a handful of other Guard units from Colorado and Hawaii’s CST, were all in Snowmass Village and Aspen, Colo., to support operations at the Winter X Games.
Laurel said the 93rd CST was invited to Colorado by the 8th CST to assist in supporting the Winter X Games as a form of reciprocity. The two CSTs train together regularly.
“We appreciate the opportunity to come out here to Colorado to work with the 8th CST and the Colorado National Guard,” said Laurel. “It’s been a great opportunity to work with these folks. Thanks. Mahalo.”