by Shawn Buring, OutreachNC

Little did I know when I started with OutreachNC I would be joining the Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills, much less attending a Capabilities Exercise (CAPEX) at Ft. Bragg of our U.S. Army Special Forces, but that is just what has happened last month. It was the day after Special Forces troops killed Osama Bin Laden, making this event even more exceptional. Approximately 25 members had the honor of receiving a firsthand look into what a Special Forces (SF) soldier does on a daily basis.

After meeting at a post house, we boarded a bus to take a short ride to our destination, during which we learned not only were we going to see what our military was capable of, but also we were in fact going to have a role helping with their training. Our tour guide told us that we would be “Political Prisoners” in a county called “Pineland.” He gave us the basic run down of how the day would progress. After the ride, we had the opportunity to look over the new privately funded memorial to SF Soldiers that gave their lives for our country. Once another group joined us, it was time for the fun to begin.

We noticed a group of armed men approaching us from the building behind us. After getting closer, they preceded to yell orders for us to form into two single file lines and stop talking. One gentleman behind me continued to talk on his cell phone, telling his co-worker he would have to give the “quote on flooring” at a later time. Our new keepers did not take too kindly to this as they grabbed the man and manhandled him into an armored vehicle.

The man continued to scream, “Help! Call the embassy.”

Knowing he was planted there, I found the whole incident to be quite comical, until the same guard quickly approached me.

“Is there something funny?” he asked. “Would you like to join him?”

After regaining my composure, we were led to a room where we had the honor of hearing stories of some SF soldiers’ experiences overseas on missions. Gen. McHollouch and his second in command briefed us about the roles SF plays with each branch of the military.

From there, we were lead by our captives to an undisclosed ‘work camp,’ stopping first outside the building to watch the “Black Daggers” parachute in from 10,000 feet and land right in the middle of an ‘X’. Amazing.

Our journey continued with another bus ride that led us to a roadblock, where two men boarded the bus leading to yelling and confusion. These men forced our caretakers off the bus and continued fighting. A hand-to-hand battle ended with AK-47s. It was then that we learned that our newfound heroes are in fact SF soldiers, whom set this up to rescue us and then took us to a safe house, which was actually one of the many ranges on Ft. Bragg. Here we learned the many different sides of what the SF do on any given mission. They displayed their sniper weapons, provided a demonstration and we watched a team come in to rescue a hostage in a building. The troops were happy to field questions and interact with the group as well.

Then the real fun began. We received a hands-on demonstration on the range of how each of these weapons is used by the professionals. Then it was our turn, as we were allowed to shoot their handguns and rifles, including the opportunity to shoot three of the sniper rifles used today on a 400-meter range. Of course, I choose to go long and after two shots getting the scoop dialed in, I went 7 for 7 at 400 meters.

It was finally time to enjoy a prepared meal from our government, a good ol’ MRE or Meal Ready to Eat. How our guys survive on these things for long periods of time, I will never know. I chose a vegetarian burger with barbecue sauce. I had to take a picture of this meal. Let me say, mystery meat has nothing on this.

After lunch, we enjoyed a tour of the different portable setups that are involved in a camp down range, from mini hospitals capable of x-rays that can be set up in about 30 minutes to networking tents for communications.

Our last event was titled “Situation Escalates.” The group was asked to come over to a set of bleachers overlooking a field. When the SF troops were talking, an armored vehicle with men leading the way came from the other end, and an artillery shell went off, which erupted into a gunfight. This demonstration was to illustrate the different sections of security SF sets up at a location and how they treat all the wounded equally. Then as the exercise continued, we were rushed back onto the bus, because a large group of people was coming, and it was declared that the area was no longer safe for us.

Taken to another range, we stood atop two different buildings overlooking a mock village. SF flew in by helicopter for an assault to take out hostiles, and then our group was picked up by three MH-47 helicopters to take us to safety in a 20-minute ride to Simmons Army Airfield.

At the airfield, we were also able to share in a small ceremony to honor a retired SF soldier. Told to stand at attention, a list of the soldier’s accomplishments were read, which included delivering steak dinners from his restaurant in Washington, D.C. to injured soldiers at Walter Reid Army Hospital.

All I can say is that is was truly an honor to be among so many great men, whom give so much for our country. I cannot tell you what a powerful experience this was and how much I learned about our Special Forces. The purpose of this CAPEX day was to show what our military is capable of. And all they ask is that if you see a soldier, thank him for his service. Without brave Americans like these, we would not have the many freedoms we enjoy.