U.S., LAF Dedicate New Marksmanship Skills Simulator in Ablah
US EMBASSY RELEASE: On October 12, 2010, at the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Base in Ablah, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly and representatives of the LAF Command Staff dedicated one of the LAF’s new marksmanship simulators. The Engagement Skills Trainer, or EST 2000, provides LAF soldiers with realistic firearms training on pistols, rifles, and machine guns, offering them unlimited rounds of training on their weapons without the cost of training ammunition. The EST 2000 provides the LAF with the capability to train soldiers on virtually all aspects of firearms training – from calibrating weapons, to weapons qualification, to collective fire scenarios in numerous environments – all without the expense or potential danger of using live ammunition. The U.S. has provided Lebanon with five EST 2000 simulators, the same kind used by the U.S. military in training its own troops, worth $3.5 million in material, maintenance and operator training costs. This EST 2000 is the first operated and maintained completely by the LAF.
Speaking at Ablah, Ambassador Connelly noted the dramatic impact that state-of-the-art training equipment and programs can have for the readiness of the LAF to fulfill its duties: “The EST 2000 is a top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art marksmanship simulator used by the U.S. military that represents a cutting edge use of technology that makes weapons training both cost-effective and safer. The United States is proud of the relationship it has built with the LAF and looks forward to deepening that relationship in the years to come.”
The EST 2000 is part of the over $720 million in support the United States has provided to the LAF since 2006 for equipment, training, humanitarian assistance, and unexploded ordnance removal. Since March 2010, the U.S. has provided over $18 million worth of military equipment and ammunition to the LAF, including TOW anti-tank missiles and launchers, grenade launchers, mortars, night vision goggles and sites, body armor, and thousands of M4 rifles. Over the next three months, the United States will deliver another $22 million of equipment, including English language labs, Humvees, thirty 155mm howitzers, and a wide range of munitions. The U.S. continues to offer training, engagements and exercises to the LAF in all fields, including naval, logistical, medical, engineering, maintenance, medical air evacuation, explosive ordnance disposal, weapons of mass destruction and special forces training.
The United States is committed to helping the LAF develop its capabilities and will continue to support the government of Lebanon and the LAF as they continue their efforts to safeguard the stability, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.
Speaking at Ablah, Ambassador Connelly noted the dramatic impact that state-of-the-art training equipment and programs can have for the readiness of the LAF to fulfill its duties: “The EST 2000 is a top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art marksmanship simulator used by the U.S. military that represents a cutting edge use of technology that makes weapons training both cost-effective and safer. The United States is proud of the relationship it has built with the LAF and looks forward to deepening that relationship in the years to come.”
The EST 2000 is part of the over $720 million in support the United States has provided to the LAF since 2006 for equipment, training, humanitarian assistance, and unexploded ordnance removal. Since March 2010, the U.S. has provided over $18 million worth of military equipment and ammunition to the LAF, including TOW anti-tank missiles and launchers, grenade launchers, mortars, night vision goggles and sites, body armor, and thousands of M4 rifles. Over the next three months, the United States will deliver another $22 million of equipment, including English language labs, Humvees, thirty 155mm howitzers, and a wide range of munitions. The U.S. continues to offer training, engagements and exercises to the LAF in all fields, including naval, logistical, medical, engineering, maintenance, medical air evacuation, explosive ordnance disposal, weapons of mass destruction and special forces training.
The United States is committed to helping the LAF develop its capabilities and will continue to support the government of Lebanon and the LAF as they continue their efforts to safeguard the stability, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.
posted by philippe at 9:47 AM
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