Better sight in battle through technology

Satellites and computers have given privates the same eagle-eye view of the war that once was reserved for generals only, soldiers with Fort Carson's 10th Special Forces Group said at a conference Wednesday.

Green Beret teams of 12 soldiers use the technology in Iraq to track locations of their soldiers, to communicate with each other and to spy on enemies using feeds from unmanned planes, the recently returned Iraq veterans told an audience from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association at The Broadmoor.

"It increases our lethality, and it also increases our survivability," said Maj. Ty Hensley.

Most of what the Green Berets accomplished in Iraq remains classified. In general, special operations forces are used to train elite Iraqi forces and to conduct lightning raids targeting enemy leaders.

They operate in small teams, often far from major U.S. bases in Iraq, making satellites even more crucial.

Satellites recently saved lives on a mission in Balad, north of Baghdad, said 10th Group Sgt. 1st Class Doug Wilderman

Wilderman said a small group of soldiers was on a mission when the group was ambushed. Their connection to help was Pfc. Brent Wilson, who was monitoring radios and surveillance television pictures in an operations center.

Using the real-time pictures of the ambush and a satellite-driven system that showed him where the American troops were located, Wilson was able to call in help and to direct soldiers to their hidden enemies.

"Pfc. Wilson was able to direct and coordinate the entire recovery of the unit being engaged," Wilderman said. "His actions led to the capture of four enemy combatants."

Some of the credit goes to Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, which ensures that units in the field get the satellite help they need.

Brig. Gen. Kurt Story, deputy commander for operations of the Peterson command, said the communications devices give soldiers a clearer picture of the battlefield, enhancing old-fashioned soldier skills.

"You have to enable their decisionmaking," Story said.

The use of satellite technology in Iraq and Afghanistan has grown exponentially. Troops first went to war equipped much as they were in the 1991 Gulf War. But the Army moved quickly to add unmanned planes, battlefield e-mail and other resources in a change that was embraced by soldiers and the brass.

The use of satellites has become so crucial to American efforts that Story's unit now regularly sends soldiers overseas to ensure that deployed units get the satellite support they need.

Hensley said it mitigates the advantages of the insurgents, who can blend in with the population.

Capt. Jeff Fish with 10th Group said using the available technology empowers commanders who can base their decisions on the latest intelligence.

"Company commanders can see the exact same thing as generals in the Pentagon," he said.