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War Games Emphasizing Guerrilla-Tvpe TacticsBy ELLEN KRANICKCambodian fighting tactics are the basis for the current war games going on in the Allegheny National Forest and the Susquehannock State Forest, in the northern part of the state, according to Green Beret representatives.Soldiers supporting the “existing political regime” against guerrilla forces backed up by strike forces are the model on which the military maneuvers involving some 1,200 men are being based, according to Capt. Tom Ballwig, He, along with Captains Robert Spain and Skip Harrington — all of the 10th Special Forces of Fort Devens, Mass. — is acting as an administrator at the Kane Armory for the war games.Nearly 300 Green Berets are posing as the guerrillas, who attempt to raid, ambush and offer other types of unconventional military resistance to the troops of the “existing regime.” The “conventional soldiers” will be played by 300 to 400 men of the 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C.The Fort Bragg unit will make a daytime air drop on April 17 in the Frills Corners area of Clarion County, according to the Green Beret officials. On Monday, because of poor weather conditions, 72 “guerrillas” landed by plane atBradford Regional Airport instead of making a scheduled parachute drop. They joined 46 other insurgents already situated in the forest.The guerrillas, who will operate in 12-man teams, will be assisted by 48 “direct action” military personnel. These “direct action” teams will function separately from the rebels, but both will coordinate their efforts against the forces of the establishment. Ballwig explained that the “direct action” personnel would offer the same kind of military support as those performing air strikes in Cambodia.About 70 men from local Company “A” First Battalion, 112th Infantry of the National Guard will assist the Special Forces guerrillas. The “other side” 82nd Airborne will itself be further aided by the 728th Maintenance Battalion from Lock Haven, Pa.The Green Beret officials noted that guerrilla activity is occurring mainly in the national forest while “direct action” troops are confined principally to the state forest.Administrative personnel during this set of war games, which runs until May 5, are located in armories in Warren, Bradford, Kane, Ridgway, Wellsboro and Lock Haven. During the final period of warmaneuvers, from June 5 to June 31, the 11th Special Forces Group (Abn), a reserve unit, will receive its annual training, Members of the non-reserve 10th Special Forces will supportthe reserve units’ training inJune.The captains emphasized the fact that because their guerrilla operation is necessarily convert, all attempts to keep the forest free of human contamination are in effect. One noted that if the guerrilla forces left evidence of their presence behind them in the forest, they would be playing into the “enemy’s” hands. By the same token, establishment soldiers are also obligated to police themselves in the forest.Blank ammunition is the only type used during these exercises. As Ballwig was leaving, he explained that local law enforcement officials have been contacted concerning the maneuvers. Apparently, he said, such officials had not been notified several years ago in Florida. State police there, responding to what they took to be a melee with live ammunition, began shooting with their loaded firearms, Ballwig said. It took 45 minutes of shooting — live on the one side and blank on the other — before the near-tragedy ended.
Newspaper Details
Warren Times Observer
Warren, Pennsylvania, US
Wed, Apr 09, 1975
Page 13
Full Page
Clipped by
Warren P.
PA, USA 11 Feb 2021
Other Publications Near Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren Morning Mirror
Warren County Observer
Warren Evening Times
Warren Evening Press
Warren Evening Mirror
