Inside a military air station near Yuma, Arizona, USA, a portrait of Stalin stands majestically.
Surrounded by iconic symbols that symbolized the Soviet Red Army, it contrasts with the modern equipment of the American War Room.
This portrait is not only a tribute to the past, but also a vivid embodiment of the simulation of enemy tactics and strategies in modern military training.
Stepping into this war room, every detail reveals a military atmosphere like no other. On the helmets worn by Air Force pilots, red stars shine brightly; The unique livery on the tail of the F-5 underlines its special status as a simulation of Soviet or Russian fighters.
Even on the tables and chairs used in daily use, it is not difficult to find traces of the red star imprint, and these elements together create a simulated battlefield environment full of tension and confrontation.
What is even more amazing is that the two big characters "August 1" are prominently hung on the wall, which is the symbol of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
To those unfamiliar with the situation, everything here seems to imply some kind of military infiltration beyond reality.
However, this is not the case. All of this is to meet the diverse training needs of the U.S. military in modern warfare, especially simulation training for the tactics and strategies of potential enemy countries.
One of the two imaginary enemy squadrons of the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Marine Fighter 401 Training Squadron, is an important part of this simulated training.
As the first Marine Corps reserve unit to act as an "enemy force" in simulated air combat, their mission is to provide the Marine Corps with a realistic and tense confrontation environment through the simulation of equipment, tactics, and mindsets.
This simulation training is not limited to the Marine Corps.
In the United States, similar imaginary enemy forces are widely present in the navy, army, air force, and other branches of the military.
These units provide a comprehensive and realistic training experience for the U.S. military by simulating the military forces of different countries.
In the U.S. Air Force, for example, its imaginary enemy pilots fly F-35 fighters painted with J-20 livery, and this highly realistic simulation allows pilots to feel the pressure and challenge of confronting real enemy aircraft during training.
At the same time, the Marine Corps insisted on using F-5 fighters for simulation training.
This seemingly "conservative traditional" choice actually reflects the unique tactics of the Marine Corps in simulated training.
They pay more attention to simulating the basic performance and tactical characteristics of enemy aircraft through low-cost equipment, so that pilots can learn how to deal with various complex situations with limited resources.
The origins of imaginary enemy forces can be traced back to the Cold War.
At that time, in order to deal with the military threat of the Soviet Union and other countries in the socialist camp, the United States and other Western countries formed their own imaginary enemy forces.
By simulating the military strength and tactical characteristics of the Soviet Union and other countries, these units provided valuable training opportunities for the armies of Western countries. With the end of the Cold War and changes in the global military landscape, the role and positioning of imaginary enemy forces are constantly evolving. Today, they have become an indispensable part of modern military training.
In the case of the United States, the construction of its imaginary enemy forces began during the Vietnam War.
At that time, in the face of the threat of MiG fighters on the battlefield in Vietnam, the US Navy created the famous Top Gun school.
The school not only trained pilots in the development and improvement of air combat skills, but also provided pilots with a realistic and tense confrontation environment by simulating the tactical characteristics and flight performance of Soviet MiG fighters.
The success of the Top Gun school provides a useful reference for the construction of imaginary enemy units of the US Air Force.
Over time, the construction of the forces of the imaginary enemy of the United States has been refined and developed.
Today, they have become a highly specialized and systematic training system. These units not only have advanced simulation equipment and tactical guidance systems, but also have rich combat experience and professional training teams.
By simulating the military forces and tactical characteristics of different countries, these units provide a comprehensive and realistic training experience for the U.S. military, effectively improving the U.S. military's combat capability and ability to deal with complex situations.
In the training of imaginary enemy troops, the devil is in the details.
In order to more realistically simulate the military strength and tactical characteristics of the enemy country, these units have incorporated a large number of elements of the enemy's culture into their daily life and training.
For example, the practice of hoisting the Soviet flag in the barracks, communicating in Russian, wearing the uniform of the enemy country, etc., was done to enhance the immersion and realism of the training.
In addition, these units will also adjust the content and method of training according to the different simulated objects to ensure that the training effect is maximized.
In addition to simulating the military strength of the enemy country, the imaginary enemy forces also undertake the important task of studying the military technology and development trends of the enemy country.
Through in-depth research and analysis of the enemy's military equipment, tactical characteristics, and strategic intentions, these units are able to provide valuable intelligence support and strategic advice to the U.S. military.
This comprehensive training and research capability has enabled imaginary enemy forces to play an increasingly important role in modern military training.
In short, as an important component of modern military training, the unique value and role of imaginary enemy units cannot be overlooked.
By simulating the military strength and tactical characteristics of the enemy, they provide a real and tense confrontation environment for the armed forces, and effectively enhance the combat capability and the ability of the armed forces to deal with complex situations.
At the same time, these units also undertake the important task of studying the military technology and development trends of the enemy country, and provide valuable intelligence support and strategic advice to the army.
In future wars, imaginary enemy forces will continue to play an important role in providing a more comprehensive and realistic training experience for the military.