By Mary Kerr (202) 225-6260
Tomorrow, the U.S. Coast Guard will demonstrate a new training technique, known as the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), offshore from Cleveland. This method uses lasers instead of live ammunition to simulate combat situations. It will be evaluated for use as an alternative to live-fire training on the Great Lakes.
“I opposed the Coast Guard’s use of automatic weapons training on the Great Lakes last year because of public safety concerns and the possible negative impact on the environment. After I spoke with the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, he immediately suspended that method of training,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
“I commend the Coast Guard for exploring and evaluating alternatives to live-fire training on the Great Lakes. Training Coast Guard personnel in a realistic situation can be effective without using live projectiles that could cause injury to people or harm the environment. I hope tomorrow’s demonstration will be successful so that the Coast Guard will not seek to resume live-fire training in the future.”
“I certainly agree with Chairman Oberstar that live-fire training exercises are inappropriate for the Great Lakes – and I commend the Coast Guard for testing the use of the MILES technology,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. “I am hopeful that this technology will be sufficiently able to simulate the unique conditions of live-fire exercises to enable it to serve as a reliable replacement for those exercises.”
During the demonstration, vessels equipped with laser sensing devices will perform various maneuvering actions. Coast Guard gunners will then fire blank cartridges at the target vessels. The lasers will determine if the gunner would have hit the intended target, and provide a comparable training opportunity without the dangers of live ammunition.
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