A changing enemy: Camp Warlord preps Airmen for real world Published Nov. 14, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Kelly George 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Camp Warlord, Little Rock Air Force Base's combat training facility, has changed its tactics to adapt to an ever-changing enemy. The training allows Airmen to complete all required deployment readiness training and prepares them for the challenges they will face in aerospace expeditionary force deployments. Camp Warlord transports Airmen to a simulated deployed location that has evolved into a four- day, three-night deployment including an eight-hour field training exercise. Not only is the camp longer than past, but there has been recent changes to camp content and training. New training techniques have been implemented to adapt to a changing enemy. "I have taken feedback from returnees from all over the Air Force and come up with situations that will test Law of Armed Conflict and provide real life scenarios designed to make a person think before pulling the trigger," said Master Sgt. William Hannah, Camp Warlord director. As Little Rock Airmen return from deployments they share their experience and advice to Camp Warlord cadre members. From feedback concerning the changing combat conditions Airmen face, Camp Warlord staff can then make adjustments to training. "Camp Warlord or pre-deployment training just became mandatory for all deployers aligned against an AEF back in May 2005," said Sergeant Hannah. "Air Force leadership requires that every deployer or those who may deploy get pre-deployment training." One of the changes in training includes more extensive convoy training. The adjustment was one of the new additions that came about from continuous feedback from deployed Airmen. Along with both classroom guidance and instruction, Airmen put their new skills to practice with daily exercises. Not only has the training adapted, but the landscape as well. Defensive fighting positions, otherwise known as DFPs, are now set in place around the camp's perimeter. Airmen must now man their DFPs at night while cadre members constantly test their mental and physical abilities. Camp members are taught shoot, no-shoot situations, while putting into practice the Law of Armed Conflict. Camp Warlord leadership has even gone so far as to adapt to the dress of their enemy. Before, cadre members acting as aggressors would wear standard battle dress uniforms. Now, cadre members wear BDUs, combinations of BDUs, civilian clothes, and traditional cultural apparel. "They (the Airmen) realize they could be put in a combat situation," said Master Sgt. Vincent Parker, Camp Warlord cadre member. " The training is sinking in. There is more realism now, and they're getting it down."