Pyrotechnic training for soldiers

Soldiers from multiple countries took part in pyrotechnic training to become qualified observer, coach, trainers (OC/T's) for the Combined Resolve XIII exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC).

Pyrotechnic training is one component of the three-day academy course. Once completed, the soldiers are certified to work as an OC/T on the various Hohenfels ranges. The training familiarises them with various forms of pyrotechnical hardware.

"OC/T's will be using pyro here at JMRC so they’ll be carrying this as they’re doing their normal duty day. They will be carrying the simulators, a smoke grenade and a star cluster in case of emergency," said Sgt. 1st Class Lee Edmonds, senior instructor with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, (HHC) Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

"They practice throwing the smoke grenade for two reasons so that they can throw it in case of an emergency, but the second one is so that when they're watching the training audience, they know what 'right' looks like."

U.S. Soldiers participated in the January 21 alongside military service members from Poland, Georgia, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

OC/T's are a vital component of training on the ranges. They are particularly important during large-scale simulated combat exercises like Combined Resolve XIII, which runs through February 5.

"They are kind of the glue that holds this whole thing together because yes, you have MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) warfare, but you need a person on the ground with experience there to make it realistic, because it's not realistic without a person there making judgments on the spot," said Edmonds.