Combat Forces

Artillery is known as the King of Battle and for over 100 years it has played a pivotal role in combat. In this fascinating episode we learn how artillery works, what ammunition it fires and how it plays an important role in modern combat. We join gunners preparing for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan who are on exercise.

In the Vietnam War the USAF discovered that 90% of their casualties occurred during pilots first 10 missions. So a specialized training exercise was developed to provide pilots with the same combat missions they could expect in their first 10 missions. The results are incredible.

Hand-to-hand combat, it is every soldiers greatest fear. At the Army Combatives School in Fort Benning, Georgia, they teach soldiers how to fight to survive. Teach them skills that are beyond UFC...skills that kill!

Today nuclear subs dominate the seas...yet their biggest threat is a diesel submarine. The modern diesel submarine is capable of a wide range of capabilities and it is known for its incredible stealth. We learn more about why they are so lethal in the dark depths of the Norwegian Fiords while on a NATO exercise inside a modern diesel submarine.

Modern tanks are the equivalent of chariots on the battlefields of today. In Iraq and Afghanistan they are soldiers saviors or an enemy's nightmare. We join tank crews from several nations as they train for deployment to overseas hotspots. This is the extreme edge of firepower!

Silent, covert, deadly; they are every battle commander's secret weapon. Snipers are the long-range killers on the battlefield. We travel to several renowned sniper schools to see them train; learn about their advanced technology weapons and unique field craft.