The West Virginia National Guard, in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Center, is carrying out a major exercise at Camp Dawson in Preston County, featuring two key training objectives.
According to State Adjutant General Bill Crane, the exercise, known as “Ridge Runner,” focuses on training soldiers to operate effectively in potentially contested environments. The other component, “Ridge Healer,” is designed to teach soldiers critical medical procedures in conditions lacking standard facilities.
In the Ridge Runner exercise, special operators simulate infiltrating communities under attack by a larger force. They must identify allies, assist them, gather intelligence on the enemy, and discern who is supporting the adversary. The exercise features a “closed” internet environment with social media, allowing participants to receive real-time feedback through news reports and posts on these simulated platforms. Crane explained that this setup provides instant feedback, making the exercise more reflective of real-world conditions. “It really gives them instant feedback as they’re doing the exercise, so we don’t pause,” Crane noted on MetroNews “Talkline.” “It is what it is; they have to learn as they go, and that’s the real world.”
Alongside Ridge Runner, Ridge Healer trains soldiers to perform essential medical care in settings without traditional facilities. With fewer opportunities to evacuate casualties from the battlefield, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, the focus is on treating injured personnel on-site. “We’re not going to be able to move people as quickly as we did in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Crane said. “So in that golden hour we’ve talked about, getting someone back to a critical care unit is going to take longer, so we have to help them survive longer.” The medical portion includes guidance from a doctor experienced in battlefield conditions in Ukraine, demonstrating techniques used in makeshift settings like basements.
The training aims to evaluate the operational capabilities of U.S. forces, command structures, and allies such as Poland. Crane highlighted his previous interactions with high-level Polish military officials, including General Kukula, the chief of staff for all Polish forces. “We know who they are, we know their structure, and we know the leaders,” Crane said.
Rubby Cordelia is a finance journalist for WVPrepBB.com, bringing expertise and clarity to her reporting on financial news. With a passion for demystifying complex economic issues, Rubby delivers insightful analysis and up-to-date information on the latest market trends, financial policies, and economic developments. Her work on WVPrepBB.com is essential reading for anyone looking to stay informed about the ever-changing world of finance.
