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“The more we experiment the faster we’re going to be able to get things out to the war fighter,” he said.
The Springfield Air National Guard made the training experience reflect a real world operation with its set up. It provided electricity, air conditioning and radios for the exercise, according to Master Sgt. Brian Lawrence.
“It honestly is a perfect simulation of a forward operating base,” he said. “Could be anywhere in the world.”
The Springfield post has set up and will operate five generators, seven environmental control units and 25 radios for the exercise. The training so important, he said, because researchers wouldn’t otherwise know the challenges the military faces in certain situations.
“It’s invaluable,” he said.
In the training, about 50 participants go through scenarios, like convoy, medical and disaster responses, Shahady said.
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“But at the same time we’re doing all that,” he said, “it’s a great time to bring out new technologies and try to push innovation and see how those technologies would work in a real war fighting environment.”
Researchers are testing about 30 different types of technology, Shahady said, and getting real-time feedback and suggestions.
“We’re demonstrating some things that have never been done anywhere before,” he said.
They’re testing out a band that detects sweat to let the wearer know if they’re dehydrated. That’s been helpful with the heavy gear that’s required, Shahady said.
Researchers are also testing unmanned aerial vehicles to act as surveillance of the makeshift base and a forearm band that can hold a cellphone.
Mike Sedillo’s team at the Air Force Research Lab created the forearm band. It’s important that technology for the military is constantly changing, he said.
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“There’s new materials being developed so we want to make sure that our war fighters have the best technologies to do their job on the battlefield,” Sedillo said.
The researchers will get feedback throughout the training, Shahady said, and take that into account and make adjustments to the technology.
“There are so many things going on in the world right now that the idea of handing them the most advanced equipment possible is critical,” he said. “We have to be able to move at the speed of everything going on around us.”
Shahady hopes the facility in Fairborn will be used more often for technology testing and development. When the military and researchers work together, he said, that’s when problems get solved.
By the numbers:
50 — Researchers participating in the training
30 — Technologies tested during training
25 — Radios from Springfield Air National Guard used in training
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