Emerald Warriors

--Green Lantern & the Emerald Warriors

--It's the full support of the community
that allows us to do this
--Major David Wakefield
_______________

We in North Florida now have the Emerald Warriors in our midst:

Military choppers fly in training exercise

Military helicopters will be landing at the Florida Public Safety Institute this week for a special military training exercise known as the Emerald Warriors, officials said. The training maneuvers are part of a combined exercise for future deployments by the Army's Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command in six states, said U.S. Army Maj. David Wakefield, a company commander. In the first phase of the three-week exercise, participants will train on FPSI's shooting ranges, rappel tower, driving course and tactical entry facility. The total contingent is about 140, and they will be housed at the institute's dormitory.

As a young Special Forces officer, Ranger used to train in the national forests of America; this was appropriate, as soldiering for the federal government meant that federal lands and assets could be used. However, state law enforcement facilities -- built with Florida tax money -- were not built for federal soldier training. Federal soldiers are for national defense; law enforcement, for public safety. These are discrete functions.

Why are these Special Operators training at state police facilities for "future deployments"? The state has National Guard assets for local emergency use. We have military posts out the yazoo where SF assets can train. If the national government cannot provide training facilities for our special assets, then it is time to quit fighting endless wars.

This looks like the further militarization of our police forces when the military cross-trains in their facilities. Allowing SF assets to play Cowboys and Terrorists in Florida is not a law enforcement priority. Further, are Floridians being reimbursed for US troops using our facilities?

Ranger does not agree with training troops in our civilian facilities. Where does this stop?

Life is not an endless loop of "The Unit".