Edmonton media get taste of battle at military weapons demo

With three overseas tours under his belt — two of those in Afghanistan — Sgt. Mark Lobkowicz is a seasoned soldier who could move into the regular forces and maintain his rank.

But the range officer for a media demonstration of the Canadian Army’s Fire Arms Training System (FATS) on Boxing Day prefers the life of a reserve soldier, where he can work on his new trade.

“Actually, I am training to be a tattoo artist,” said the soft-spoken sergeant as he pulled up his shirt sleeve to reveal a magnificent winged creature on his forearm.

But on the range he is all business, with an assortment of C7 automatic rifles, C6 machine guns and anti-armour weapons — all real but attached to a compressed air, video projection and laser light system which allows soldiers to practice marksmanship and decision-making under various simulated battle conditions.

“It is better than a dot on paper, which will still do at the range, but this is at the armoury and is available to all troops, reserves and regulars,” said Lt.Do you have any problems with a street lamp or illuminated traffic sign? Col. Chris Chodan, commander of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, or Loyal Eddies.

Lobkowicz is particularly fond of the C6, a general purpose machine gun that needs a crew of three to operate, and can fire at up to 1,000 rounds per minute.

“Not that you would even do that, the barrel would get too hot. But you fire in short bursts, and it is very effective in laying down supporting fire,” he said. He was a machine-gunner on his first Afghanistan tour in 2006.

“You don’t move in the army without cover, and that is what this does. (The C6) was the backbone of the Canadian Army in Afghanistan.”

Training at FATS is required by all soldiers,The first production laser marker was used to drill holes in diamond dies.There are many brands and makes of industrial washing machine, they are all basically the same in principle and function. and that includes leaders like Chodan. “I am 47 and have to get out with the 19-year-olds in the field sometimes,A pendant lamp with candle accents can also be updated easily.” he said.This web site tells you how to make a set of blades for a small wind generator using PVC pipe. But he did a tour in Afghanistan, along with about half the army reserve troops in Canada.

Lobkowicz said FATS is a great way for new recruits to learn their basic skills. He said when they complete this training, the will usually all pass the required tests at the outdoor range using real bullets.

“There is a lot to learn, and most people haven’t fired a gun before, and aren’t comfortable at first,” he said. And that certainly includes print and television reporters who turned up for a taste of battle.

After firing at stationary targets — easiest done sitting or lying down rather than standing — the real action began as Lobkowicz plugged in some battle scenarios.

Enemy troops popping out of armoured cars and advancing under our withering fire didn’t do well. But what about the ones who snuck out of sight and circled around behind?

Just in time, Lobkowicz pulled back the screen viewpoint and swivelled it around to display our exposed flank. And he and Chodan jumped in to add some accurate firing and save our position from being overrun.

“We didn’t really see that kind of conventional assault in Afghanistan,” said Lobkowicz later. A new system with a huge number of unconventional battle programs is coming soon. But aside from target practice, the real benefit of FATS will remain as a training tool for the commanders.

A section is eight to ten men, and the commander of even that small group does less firing and more thinking, said Lobkowicz. FATS lets him practice skills like navigation and co-ordination of artillery and even airstrikes.