He said a technique called immersion training will “marry” every soldier to his weapon and equipment 24 hours a day during a sequence that simulates mission conditions in Iraq.
Honore briefed National Guard and Army Reservists Wednesday at Fort Hood during a post mobilization training session.
The charismatic lieutenant general captured the nation’s attention in 2005 as commander of Task Force Katrina during recovery efforts after the hurricane. Honore stepped off a helicopter in New Orleans with a cigar clenched in his teeth and began barking orders in colorful language. It got things moving.
Honore told reporters Wednesday that 18,000 Reserve and Guard troops are being trained under the First Army command.
“It was 20,000 two weeks ago and will drop during this training cycle to 9,000 before October. But after October we will build back up to 40,000.”
He said the 76th Brigade from Indiana will be trained at North Fort Hood shortly. After Thanksgiving the 37th Brigade from Michigan will train 4,000 strong. Honore said they will deploy to Iraq to perform security missions, prison security and force protection.
Three out of 10 soldiers now in Iraq are Guard or Reserve - down from five out of 10 three years ago, Honore said.
He said immersion training simulates what’s going on in Iraq at the forward operating bases. It includes language classes taught by Iraqi natives who have served in Iraq.
“When they get here we issue them a weapon and it stays with them 24 hours a day until they leave,” Honore said. “Even when they go to the dining hall that weapon is with them.”
He said they are subject to replicated rocket attack day and night and to attack by suicide vehicles that crash the gate armed with simulated IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
“The biggest killer in Iraq is still the IED,” Honore said. “We will give every soldier 30-65 training events where he will deal with the IED. The training has them identify the type of explosive, describe how they will defeat it and how they will respond if a comrade is injured by one.”
Honore said some Guard and Reserve troops that redeploy from Iraq extend their active duty orders to train their inexperienced counterparts in a program called Operation Warrior Training.
“They have recent combat experience,” Honore said. “It’s really enhanced our training.”
Honore said Army staff is working with the Congress to cover Guard and Reserve families with health and medical care for one year prior to and after deployment. The are currently covered for 90-120 days.
Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans tagged Honore with the nickname “John Wayne Dude” after Hurricane Katrina because of his no-nonsense, can-do manner. Honore’s troops refer to him as the “Ragin’Cajun” after his Louisiana heritage - but not to his face, of course.
Reminded of Katrina, Honore said it was a moment when Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserves came together - many as volunteers - for the purpose of saving lives.
“The key (to major disasters) is to be prepared,” Honore said. “Don’t go to bed at night without being prepared. Have gas in your car, cash on hand, food and supplies in your home and be ready to evacuate.”
Honore said it might not be a hurricane that forces people to leave their homes - but acts of terrorism, floods, tornadoes or ice storms.
“Will a Katrina happen again?” Honore asked rhetorically. “Of course it will.”
hclark@temple-telegram.com
