Exercise Ridge Runner 23-01 (USA): mock enemy and propaganda
The US Armed Forces and the National Guard regularly conduct a variety of exercises during which they practice solving problems in a wide range of conditions. So, in the first half of June, the National Guard conducted maneuvers Ridge Runner 23-01, during which the personnel of several structures from a number of countries learned to work and perform tasks in conditions of irregular hostilities. It is assumed that skills of this kind are of particular importance in the current military-political situation.
Large-scale exercises
Exercise Ridge Runner 23-01 started in early June and took exactly two weeks. They were organized by the West Virginia National Guard and the Irregular Warfare Center. Other structures of the Pentagon also received their role in the preparation and conduct.
Several state bases and ranges were used for the exercises. The various episodes of Ridge Runner 23-01 reportedly took place virtually throughout West Virginia. The headquarters of the exercises was located at the National Guard base Camp Dawson; there were some events.
Approx. 420 military personnel from several countries, and the bulk of them were Americans from different structures. Thus, the US National Guard was represented by the 19th Special Forces Group and the 193rd Special Operations Wing. The 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion and the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion participated from the army. The Marine Corps fielded the 4th Signal and Guidance Company, the 4th Civil Affairs Group, and the Advisors Company.
Several foreign armies took an active part in Ridge Runner 23-01. The United Kingdom, Latvia and Lithuania sent several units for various purposes to the United States. Poland was represented by the JWK special unit and territorial defense units.
About a dozen states in Europe and the Middle East, including direct participants in the maneuvers, as well as Australia sent their observers to the Ridge Runner 23-01. Without direct participation in the exercises, they had to collect information and monitor the development of someone else's experience.
Conditional states
In accordance with the plan of exercises Ridge Runner 23-01, two conditional states were created in the territory of East Virginia. They included several existing settlements; local authorities and the population provided the necessary assistance. During the exercises, the social situation was simulated, news background, etc.
According to the scenario of the maneuvers, the states were attacked by a mock enemy represented by irregular formations. At the same time, despite the specific status, the enemy has a variety of weapons and equipment. So, the National Guard showed a model of a conditional launcher, remotely similar to the means of Russian air defense systems. For greater entourage, symbols were applied to it in the form of a guards ribbon and a five-pointed star.
Ridge Runner 23-01 participants had to enter the territory of the “states”, study the situation and start fighting with a mock enemy. The leading role in these processes was to be played by units specializing in civil affairs and psychological operations. Special forces, gunners, etc. had to help them and use the advantages received with their help.
Specialized units studied the current mood and social situation in two conditional states. In the absence of the necessary sentiments, they had to engage in agitation and propaganda using available means. So, the conditional population supporting the insurgents needed to be persuaded and lured to their side.
At the same time, special forces units had to solve their tasks, aviation etc. They were entrusted with direct armed struggle against a mock enemy. The course and evaluation of such battles directly depended on the mood in the conditional society, prepared by the relevant structures.
Ridge Runner 23-01 was a success, according to an official statement from the US National Guard. The structures and divisions involved in them coped with the assigned tasks and demonstrated their skills. At the same time, more accurate information about the course and results of the exercises is not disclosed. Apparently, these data are of particular importance and therefore remain closed for now.
Goals and objectives
Ridge Runner series exercises have been held regularly since the nineties. Despite all the differences in the teachings of different years, the general goals and objectives remain unchanged. During such events, the army, the National Guard and other structures, incl. foreign, learn to work in the conditions of "irregular hostilities" and fight with the corresponding enemy.
In the teachings of different years, the emphasis was on different issues. So, a mock enemy seized territories and settlements, prepared various attacks, including radiological and nuclear ones, and so on. Due to this, the participants in the maneuvers got the opportunity to practice various issues and skills.
This year, Exercise Ridge Runner 23-01 turned attention not only to combat, but also to other aspects of the confrontation. The main participants in the events were military psychologists, sociologists and propagandists. They had to conduct research and campaign to create the right mood and public opinion. In this way, preparations were made for future training battles.
In general, the conduct of exercises of this kind should not be surprising. The experience of American operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries shows that it is necessary not only to defeat the enemy by military means, but also to fight for the minds of the population. Without the loyalty of civilians, military successes will not be consolidated and all the desired results will not be obtained. In addition, the population may support armed groups, which leads to additional risks.
The Pentagon and other structures have long understood the importance of influencing society and are taking action. Various means and methods of influencing the neutral or enemy population are being developed. They are being tested as part of an exercise similar to the recent Ridge Runner 23-01. In the future, the most effective developments are included in the governing documents and charters for subsequent use in real operations.
It is noteworthy that not only American structures were involved in the Ridge Runner 23-01 exercises. Several foreign divisions for various purposes became direct participants. In addition, about a dozen countries sent their observers. All this indicates that the United States is not only developing new methods and concepts, but is also ready to share them with allies, and also helps the latter in their development.
In different directions
It is well known that the United States, while developing its military potential, has long been no longer limited to weapons alone. Much attention is paid to non-military means and methods of influence that allow influencing society and creating the necessary moods in it. In addition, issues of interaction between the army and guards units with the population of third countries are being worked out.
The theme and scenario of the recent Ridge Runner 23-01 exercise suggests that the relevant Pentagon organizations have recently developed a new package of outreach methods and tools. Now these developments have been tested in practice. How they showed themselves is not reported. However, it can be expected that the results of such closed projects and specialized exercises will soon be applied in real operations.
Information