Topic: American troops with the Soviet equipment

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December 14th, 2006   Post 1
boris116
Centurion
 
 

Post; American troops with the Soviet equipment


I have a question:

Does anybody know about such units in the American Armed Forces?

According to the Soviet Foreigh Military Review, such units have been equipped with Soviet T-62 tanks and other equipment, used Soviet uniforms, etc.
Is this true? If it is, what has happened to this units?

As far as I know, the American units employed as "enemy" during the training have their usual equipment, they just use the "foreign" tactics...

And there are some German pilots who come to visit the US with their MIG-29 for the same purpose...
 
December 15th, 2006   Post 2
chronoserpent
Optio
 
 
Gear

I doubt American units were ever equipped with Soviet equipment. Yes, Soviet technology was captured and studied, but I doubt it was ever captured in enough numbers to fully equip a fighting force.

As you mentioned, "Opposing Force" training units do not use actual Soviet equipment, only Soviet tactics. They use American equipment modified to look Soviet. They could have worn reproductions of Soviet uniforms, but that's probably the extent of it.

The reason for not using Soviet equipment is simple. It would be extremely difficult to maintain. There were no supplies of spare parts, and any knowledge of how to operate and maintain the equipment usually had to be reverse engineered.

I would assume there was also a level of secrecy to the fact that Soviet equipment had been captured and reverse engineered; you don't exactly want your enemy to know that you know exactly how well his tanks perform!
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December 15th, 2006   Post 3
Bugfatty
Optio
 
 
Yes, the US has a bunch soviet tanks, small arms and fighters to simulate training.

Most of these were not captured first hand but bought from people who did capture them such as the Isrealis and Afghans and later from countries who were chummy with the Soviets during the cold war.
 
December 27th, 2006   Post 4
FO Seaman
Tribuni Angusticlavii
 
 
Gear

Quote:
Originally Posted by chronoserpent
I doubt American units were ever equipped with Soviet equipment. Yes, Soviet technology was captured and studied, but I doubt it was ever captured in enough numbers to fully equip a fighting force.

As you mentioned, "Opposing Force" training units do not use actual Soviet equipment, only Soviet tactics. They use American equipment modified to look Soviet. They could have worn reproductions of Soviet uniforms, but that's probably the extent of it.

The reason for not using Soviet equipment is simple. It would be extremely difficult to maintain. There were no supplies of spare parts, and any knowledge of how to operate and maintain the equipment usually had to be reverse engineered.

I would assume there was also a level of secrecy to the fact that Soviet equipment had been captured and reverse engineered; you don't exactly want your enemy to know that you know exactly how well his tanks perform!

Actually Annistion Army Depot produces BMP-1 and BMP-2's, T-64's and BRDM's.
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December 27th, 2006   Post 5
Team Infidel
Milforum's Postmaster
 
 
Gear



I know a while back, they had some at the National Training Center, but not sure if they still do or not.
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December 28th, 2006   Post 6
boris116
Centurion
 
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Infidel
I know a while back, they had some at the National Training Center, but not sure if they still do or not.

I am just interested to know whether they ever had!

Not just samples of the soviet equipment, but the troops, using this equipment and "playing" the soviets.

The Russian military magazine has stated just that.
 




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