Virtual Combat With The 163rd

Evansvilles 163rd Field Artillery Unit is heading to Iraq soon and Fox 7s Jason Claspell got the unique opportunity to spend some time with them before they leave. Last week we aired the first part of a three part series on the 163rd, and this morning we will show how the 163rd are learning the hazards of war in virtual reality. Children who grew up with Nintendos and Gameboys are being trained for the war on terror. War is no game, but most of the soldiers in the 163rd are part of the video game generation and that plays a huge role in how the army trains them. First Lieutenant Jeffrey Hurst is in charge of training the 163rd on virtual convoy operations. In a small trailer at the Fort Wendell Training Center in Kentucky, the 163rd work together to defeat the enemy in virtual reality. Shooter games are huge hits with soldiers and Captain Tony Kaiser says thats an advantage. Captain kaiser says the video game mentality makes it easier to pull the trigger. Something the 163rd must be able to do while in Iraq. During World War II the 163rd Field Artillery Unit found itself engaged in combat in the Philippines where it served honorably and won the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Those forward observers went into enemy territory to get strike coordinates for the artillery crews. Todays satellites, digital binoculars, computers, and giant digital screens make the job of the 163rd much safer. Its a very serious video game that could help save the lives of our local service men and women. The last and final piece focuses on how soldiers with the 163rd transition from civilian life with family and friends to a potentially long deployment in Iraq. The city has already planned a community send off for the 163rd. It will be held on Saturday December 1st at 2 p.m. at Roberts Stadium. Tickets will be free to the public with a limit of 6 per person. You can pick up those tickets at the stadium beginning November 26th.