2003 Ft. Knox Live Fire Demonstration

View the CALFEX 2002 photo gallery here.

On Monday, July 28, BMAC members and guests were invited by Major General Terry L. Tucker, Commanding General of Fort Knox to attend CALFEX 2003. This was the second year that BMAC extended an invitation for this educational trip.  
 
CALFEX is a spectacular showcase for the combined arms team of the U.S. Army, demonstrating one of the most lethal arrays of combat systems in the world. Attendees will witness the joint effectiveness of artillery, air defense, infantry, armor, and aviation assets.  
 
It is conducted primarily to recognize the completion of summer instruction for third year cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Their families and invited guests were present for this once-a-year fire power show.  
 
The demonstration at the St. Vith range presented the way a company size unit of less than 100 soldiers could defend a battle position against an enemy element of over three times its size.  
 
Military equipment on display  
 
Guests were invited to climb into helicopters, tanks, self-propelled artillery and support vehicles arrayed in static display in front of the grandstand, after which the following weapons were demonstrated in a simulated defense of their positions:  
AH-64 Apache (Attack Helicopter)  
Avenger (Air Defense System)  
M6 Linebacker (Air Defense System)  
MK-19 (Automatic Grenade Launcher)  
M2HB (Machine Gun)  
M136 AT-4 (Antitank Missile)  
M3A2 Bradley (Cavalry Fighting Vehicle)  
M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)  
M109A6 Paladin (Self-Propelled Howitzer)  
M1A2 SEP (Main Battle Tank)  
 
Several new weapons were presented, with “awesome” being the key word. In 2002, one new weapon was a smoke screen behind which tanks and personnel can withdraw without being visible to the enemy. Another new weapon was a mine clearing device which, when deployed like a harpoon for some 500 yards along a road or proposed passage exploded all along its length, setting off any mines which might be planted in the road through which friendly forces are to travel.  
 
A photo gallery of the CALFEX 2002 trip is presented here.
BMAC is a 501c3 non-profit organization, #77-0595272.