JPMCC: US Army Training Exercise in Hawaii

Colonel Rob Shaw leads the Bronco Brigade in critical military training to prepare for potential conflicts in the Pacific.

### Training for Tomorrow's Conflicts: Inside the JPMRC Exercise in Hawaii
* 🌴 Thousands of soldiers train annually in Hawaii for potential conflicts, particularly focusing on a **hypothetical war with China**, during an event known as JPMRC (Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center).
* 🎖 The exercise involves over **5,000 participants**, including foreign military allies from **Thailand, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom**, with the U.S. Army's forces designated as "**Blue**" and the opposing forces as "**OpFor**."
* 🪖 Colonel Rob Shaw leads the Bronco Brigade, emphasizing that this training is **crucial for maintaining readiness and deterrence**, with significant resources allocated to **ensure success**.
* 📹 Soldiers document their experiences, like First Sergeant Stuart Fletcher, who highlights the **importance of realistic training scenarios**, as they prepare for potential **real-world engagements**.
* 💰 The JPMRC exercise costs approximately **$15.5 million**, with significant investments in training resources to **maximize the effectiveness of the operation** and ensure soldiers are **well-prepared**.
* 🚁 As part of the training, soldiers utilize advanced technology, including **drones**, to **gather intelligence** and **maintain an edge over the enemy**, reflecting **modern warfare tactics**.
* 💥 The exercise culminates in simulated battles, where soldiers face challenges that test their **skills and teamwork**, ultimately aiming to **enhance their operational capabilities**.
* 🌌 With a focus on readiness, the Bronco Brigade prepares for future missions, underscoring the **continuous need for training to adapt to evolving threats** in a complex global landscape.

### Mid-Rotation After-Action Review: Lessons and Reflections from Training
* 📋 The mid-rotation after-action review highlighted the need for improvement in **articulating available fire assets**, as demonstrated by Evans' **dissatisfaction with the current state of operations**.
* 🌙 Emphasizing the importance of night operations, it was noted that "**we have got to get better at night**," as this is a **critical advantage expected by the nation**.
* 🔄 The review acknowledged challenges faced in assembling combat power and the necessity for **10,000 repetitions** to build **reflexive confidence** among soldiers.
* 🏞 The diverse geography of the Pacific was discussed, with soldiers needing to **adapt to various terrains**, including **rocky and jagged landscapes**, as well as unexpected obstacles like **wildlife**.
* 🚁 As training continued, the Bronco Brigade faced OPFOR with tanks and modified Humvees, leading to a tactical engagement that required **careful coordination and communication** to avoid friendly fire.
* 🪖 Colonel Shaw expressed confidence in the brigade's readiness, stating, "**I'm 100% certain that we're better today than we were two weeks ago**," reinforcing the value of the training experience.
* 📱 The conclusion of the training allowed soldiers to reconnect with their families, marking a **significant moment of relief and reflection** after two weeks of intensive exercises.
* 🔥 Overall, the experience served as a **critical learning opportunity**, preparing the soldiers for potential real-world combat scenarios while emphasizing the **importance of teamwork and adaptability**.

Inside The Army's $16 Million War Games Built To Battle China | Boot Camp | Business Insider

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Training for a Potential War: The JPMCC in Hawaii

Thousands of soldiers, including international allies, are training in Hawaii for a potential conflict with China.

The event, known as JPMCC, involves a series of engagements on Oahu and the Big Island, with the US Army's Bronco Brigade playing a key role.

The training aims to generate readiness and deter war, while also providing soldiers with a sense of purpose and camaraderie.

The training scenario involves intense battles where soldiers learn to reinforce each other and handle flanking situations.

The first sergeant, Stuart Fletcher, and Captain Alistair Keys lead the new generation of soldiers, emphasizing the importance of treating the training like real life.

The exercise uses Miles gear for laser tag-style simulations, with a significant investment from the American taxpayers to ensure the soldiers' success.

The US Army Pacific's budget for the Hawaii JPMRC rotation was approximately $15.

5 million, with the Air Force spending an additional $3 million on aircraft operations.

The training exercise involves over 5,000 participants, including 735 from international military partners, with the Royal Thai Army and New Zealand Army actively involved.

The JPMRC aims to integrate international forces with the US Army, conduct large-scale combat operations, and build military readiness, while also providing a public relations opportunity for the participating countries.

The team is running low on ammunition and is trying to make it work during the battle period.

Observer controllers are on the scene, indicating that something may happen soon, as enemy gun trucks are staging nearby.

The OPFOR's surveillance drone is knocked out of the sky, leading to a quiet period before gearing up for a night assault on Wheeler Airfield.

The training exercise involves a fierce exchange of fire between opposing forces, with one side successfully taking out enemy gun trucks but suffering casualties in the process.

The use of drones for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering proves effective in minimizing manpower and potential casualties.

Despite delays and miscommunication, the Bronco Brigade is regrouping and preparing for their next mission, while top leaders observe the operation from an air traffic control tower.

Evans expresses dissatisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the need for better coordination and understanding of fire assets.

The challenging terrain and unexpected obstacles in Hawaii highlight the diverse geography soldiers must adapt to.

The unit's long breaks between enemy contact raise concerns about maintaining readiness and tempo for future deployments.

A drone is deployed to observe four vehicles, but there's concern about friendly fire.

The soldiers emphasize the importance of methodical movements and communication to avoid shooting their own team.

As the battle intensifies, the OPFOR plans a strategic attack on the Bronco Brigade, while the infantry platoons prepare to isolate and penetrate key objectives.

The New Generation of Soldiers in the Bronco Brigade

The Bronco Brigade consists of a new generation of soldiers and officers, many of whom were not born by the time of the 9/11 attacks.

First Sergeant Fletcher, who joined the army in 2006, has deployed to Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and has taken on various leadership roles.

His unique approach, including using face paint for morale and skateboarding for a release, has made a significant impact on his soldiers as he prepares to retire in less than two years.

The Impact of Family Legacy and Military Life

The speaker reflects on a family history of military service and a challenging upbringing, leading to a tough exterior and a tendency for violence.

As they prepare for a deployment, there is a sense of camaraderie with fellow soldiers and a determination to eliminate the enemy's gun trucks.

The tension builds as the operation unfolds, with the speaker expressing frustration at being sidelined and a desire to actively engage in the fight.

Training and Reflections from the Front Lines

The third platoon is humorously preoccupied with candy while preparing for combat.

A volcanic-like fire ignited by smoke grenades adds to the chaos, and the Army orders a departure as wildfires spread.

Colonel Shaw's leadership and feedback integration are praised, with a sense of readiness and confidence in the brigade's ability to handle future deployments.