"Back at the Gap" Major General Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (USAF, Retired) With modernization, Gap builds a new future   49th in a series Construction of new modern buildings; renovation of some old barracks with insulation, aluminum siding and new heating systems; and demolition of many World War II wooden buildings have changed the face of the Gap. As part of this modernization, new twin flagpoles with a keystone base, located near the F-102 aircraft static display, were recently dedicated. This location enhances visibility of the flags from both Fisher Avenue and for people entering and departing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. During 2004, National Guard officials opened two new buildings to improve the morale and welfare of soldiers training at the Gap. A newly renovated, full-service education center opened its doors June 29. This new facility offers a wide array of educational services to the soldiers, airmen, spouses and civilian employees and includes classrooms for college courses conducted by Immaculata College. A recreational center was opened August 13. The purpose of this 8,000 square foot facility is to provide customers of Fort Indiantown Gap a place to relax and gather with friends. It features an Internet café sponsored by the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations, a movie theater seating up to 210 persons, a main recreational area consisting of game tables and a snack bar. As an important joint training center, the National Guard isn’t the only component in the construction business. The U.S. Army Reserve Center has a $20 million complex being built in Area 3. It will be the home of the 99th Reserve Support Center. For the Army and Air National Guard, the level of design and construction at the Gap is unprecedented. Construction costs over the next four fiscal years are expected to amount to an estimated $137 million for the Air Guard and about $163 million projected for the Army Guard. Most of the Army facilities are driven by the new requirements for specialized training of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team personnel, many of whom have already started this training. Three new buildings adjacent to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs headquarters in Area 0 were dedicated and occupied in August. The Bureau of Facilities and Engineering designed these three 7,200 square-foot, pre-manufactured steel-and-masonry office buildings, at the average cost of $717,000 per building, to accommodate the growing Environmental and Engineering sections in addition to the Military Personnel Office. The area in which these buildings are located is immediately adjacent to the west of the former Officers’ Hilltop Club which was demolished last year. Building 0-10 houses the Military Personnel Office relocated from World War II wood buildings 7-10 and 7-14. These 40 employees are responsible for administering and maintaining all Army Guard personnel actions and records. Building 0-11 houses 20 Environmental Division employees. Employees were relocated from a World War II wood building 11-19. This division provides complete environmental services and is equipped with state-of-the-art information technology, enhancing the communication and research capabilities. The Nature Conservancy , responsible for the Regal Fritillary butterfly habitat management, is also located in this building. Building 0-12 houses 18 Engineering Division employees who provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil engineering and architectural services through computer-aided design and construction management of Fort Indiantown Gap facilities and other National Guard military construction projects throughout the state. An Army Aviation Support Facility Equipment Building was recently completed. This 7,200 square foot building houses Headquarters Company, Aviation Brigade, the Long Range Surveillance Detachment and Company G, 104th Aviation. The facility consists of a maintenance bay, supply area, tool room, office space and latrines. A new garage in Area 3 has been completed for the 3rd Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction unit to provide additional storage for vehicles and organizational equipment. Long needed construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant begun in the spring, with an estimated completion date for March 2006. This new sewage treatment plant will replace an aging 1940’s vintage plant. Design is ongoing for a new Unit Training and Equipment Site that is being located in Area 12. A ground breaking ceremony was held in July. The estimated cost is $22.3 million. A new Digital Training Facility in Area 5 is complete. This 8,000 square foot building is used for simulation training on the many new digital systems being fielded to the 56th Styrker Brigade Combat Team. It is also able to support the 28th Infantry Division during modular transformation. Described below is a formidable list of some of the exotic computer simulator devices installed in this and other new buildings in Area 5. They are examples of the up-to-date sophisticated training available to our National Guard troops. Janus Simulation is a software-based computer war-gaming simulation used for training platoon and company–level commanders and battalion and brigade staffs. Janus can also be configured to provide support for civil and Military Support of Civilian Authorities exercises in support of Homeland Security initiatives. Simulation Network comprises fully integrated Tank and Battalion simulations used to train armored crewmen in maneuver tactics through battalion task force in command and control and staff procedures. Table Top Maneuver Trainer is a simple maneuver trainer that utilizes small computers to display maneuver scenarios for Tank and Bradley crewmen. Guard Unit Armory Device Full Crew Interactive Simulation Trainer is a virtual system that will provide simulated battlefield scenarios for training Field Artillery Forward Observers. Conduct of Fire Trainer provides either mobile or unit fire training in critical gunnery tasks for Tank and Bradley crewmen in a simulated battlefield environment. Mobile Close Combat Tactical Trainer comprises platoon-size, fully interactive networked simulators with workstations that support battlefield operations. Simulators replicate M1A1 Main Battle Tank and M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting vehicles with all weapon systems. It simulates the conduct of combat operations in a virtual environment. Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 provides initial and sustaining training, static unit collective gunnery and tactical training, and Shoot/Don’t Shoot training. This simulator enables soldiers to train on a variety of weapons systems from individual pistol and rifle to crew-served machine guns and grenade launchers. Fire Arms Training Simulator can support non-tactical training along with logistically enveloping scenarios. Another law enforcement interactive situational trainer is one in which the operator can “escalate” or “de-escalate” each scenario to better support training. The training device under control of the operator shoots small plastic balls in sync with the scenarios at the trainees to simulate receiving live fire. Virtual Convoy Operations Trainers provide valuable training for combat convoys under realistic conditions through the streets of Baghdad and other areas. Soldiers are trained to anticipate ambushes and other insurgent actions from all possible directions by allowing the crew to observe, maneuver, and fire their weapons through a full 360-degree circumference. The design of eight ranges to be built at Fort Indiantown Gap to support the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is ongoing. The eight ranges combined will cost over $39 million to construct. They are Combined Arms Collective Training Facility, MK-19 Grenade Range, Multipurpose Machine Gun Range, Sniper Field Fire Range, Urban Assault Course, Modified Record Fire Range, Live Fire Shoot House and Infantry Squad Battle Course. These ranges are scheduled for construction starting October 1, 2005. There are many other major projects under design or construction, all of which will continue to enhance the training capabilities of soldiers and airmen at the Gap. Published in the Wednesday, September 21, 2005 edition of the Lebanon Daily News The final installment of General Smoker’s “Back at the Gap” will appear October 12. © 2005 Frank H. Smoker, Jr. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of the author. Go "Back at the Gap" Index