How the US military trains to take any airbase, anywhere in the world in just 18 hours
The first wave is an airborne assault with the goal of taking control of an enemy airfield.
Within minutes, paratroopers are on the ground putting heavy lead downrange.
As with any good military exercise, casualties and injuries are simulated to help train field medics.
A range of specialized vehicles pour an overwhelming number of soldiers onto the scene.
In addition to infantry, sniper teams provide support during the mission.
... And they're gone as quickly as they came.
High mobility artillery rocket systems live up to their name and quickly launch devastating salvos against the enemy.
As the night rolls in, AH-64 Apache helicopters fly and light up the sky with their 30 mm guns.
Once the first wave secures the area, they prepare for the second echelon of aircraft and heavy vehicles to move in. Armored vehicles are flown in to reinforce the infantry's gains.
Here come the Abrams and Bradley tanks.
Paratroopers complete the raid of the airbase, and use it in the future as a forward operating base for US forces.
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