National Guard Soldiers from the Georgia's Counterdrug Task Force Ground Reconnaissance Team recently instructed 23 law enforcement officers who participated in its ninth Basic Woodland Operations Course at LaGrange. The five-day course gave officers more than 60 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) credit with all training conducted by National Guard instructors.

 Land navigation, mission planning, surveillance techniques, field craft, and force protection tactics were all part of the comprehensive training the group received. This training was designed to familiarize officers with the harsh woodland environments around the state where they are often called to work.

Graduates of the Woodland Operations Course have acknowledged tactical expertise and hard work that the National Guard instructors put into Woodland Operations training.

In recognition of the civilian supporters of the Georgia Counterdrug Task Force, the Georgia Commendation Medal was awarded to Shane Goddard, director of Camp Pineland/Pioneer; and Agent Torre Jennings, senior Agent with the Cherokee County Multi-Agency Narcotics Team. Mr. Goddard has been instrumental in providing quality training grounds for the course, and Agent Jennings has devoted countless hours of personal time assisting the GRT with training or providing role-players for scenarios.

The next Woodland Operations course is scheduled for spring of 2008 and an Advanced Woodland Operations course is in the initial stages of development. The Counterdrug Task Force is also working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to develop dedicated course for their agents.