By Michael Tolzmann
HOHENFELS, Germany - As American soldiers enter a village here, they are approached by bearded men with turbans and women with burqas covering their faces. The soldiers do not know who is friend or who is foe.
The son of a Phoenix, Ariz., couple is serving here where fictitious Arab villages have been built with actors roaming about, giving it the look and feel of being in a war zone. The actors are supporting a mission to train American, NATO and allied soldiers on how to deal with unknown situations that are sure to face those who go to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Army Spec. Mark R. Farwell, son of Robert R. Farwell and Linda K. Britton-Farwell of Phoenix, is a member of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment located here at the Army's Joint Multinational 
Readiness Center. He functions as an enemy insurgent, or known within the Army as an opposing force, or OPFOR.
"We play Taliban soldiers training outgoing U.S. and allied forces on their way to Afghanistan," said Farwell.
With the rat-tat-tat of AK-47 assault rifles echoing through the village here, the OPFOR insurgents challenge soldiers who treat this war-gaming situation as a real-life evaluation. Allied soldiers and insurgents alike have rifles equipped with laser systems that allow for the 
exchange of gunfire. Everyone wears a laser receptor system that will give off a loud shrill if they are shot. The goal is for soldiers heading to the war zone to learn from potential combat pitfalls here rather than making the mistakes on the battlefield.
"This experience if valuable for our soldiers so they will know how to react to the culture once they are in Afghanistan," said Farwell. 
Some of the actors here are hired civilians who dress and play the part of Arabs living in a village, while others, such as Farwell, are American soldiers who are trained in tactics used by insurgents. Combined with villages that could typify a real town in Iraq or Afghanistan, a look and feel of being in the war zone is achieved.
"We stop shaving and let our hair grow so we can look the part. We live in the villages, and our actions are dependent on 
whether we are villagers or terrorists," said Farwell.
For Farwell, serving here in support of this teaching facility is one of many experiences found within the military so far.
"I have been in the Army for three years. I have served in Korea, California, and now Germany, and have seen all over the world before I turned 30. I'm on my way to Afghanistan for six to 12 months," said Farwell.
Although a soldier serving in the U.S. Army, Farwell understands the importance of some soldiers here wearing a uniform that appears much like what is worn by an enemy in Afghanistan or Iraq. And by doing so is helping his comrades in arms learn the difference between friend and foe.
[Home] [About Us ]
[Print] [Radio Stories]
[Video Stories] [Photos]
[Feedback]
[Marketing]
[Links]
