AFRL combat communications technology impresses History Channel's "Gunney" Ermey

  • Published
  • By John Schutte
  • Human Effectiveness Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Stern-faced military character actor R. Lee Ermey, known to his fans simply as "Gunney," toured the Air Force Research Laboratory on April 24, witnessing first-hand how warfighting technology has advanced since his own tour of duty as a Marine Corps sergeant in Vietnam. 

Ermey was impressed with futuristic battlefield computer and communications technology known as the Battlefield Air Tactical, Man Aided kNowledge, or BATMAN, program developed by AFRL's Warfighter Interface Division, Battlespace Acoustics Branch. 

Researchers simulated a close air support mission using Machine to Machine and BATMAN technology that allows combat controllers in the field to deliver timely and accurate Air Force firepower in support of ground troops. 

"It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it," Ermey said. "Research and development, that's what it's all about right now. We continue to get better." 

To Ermey, seamless communications between services is a technology leap that will save lives and optimize warfighter effectiveness. Lack of communications was costly in Vietnam, Ermey said, causing misplaced firepower and slow response for medical evacuations. 

"It was a nightmare. It was like we weren't together, we weren't a team," Ermey said. "You could have man down in the field and the Air Force helicopter could be right overhead and you couldn't reach out and say 'Hey, can you pick this kid up?'" 

After handling a new lightweight battery (developed by AFRL's propulsion directorate), wearable computer and custom-molded communications earplugs, Ermey noted that "this is where we're making huge advances right now. Back in our era you needed a mule just to carry all the communications gear." 

At the Virtual Environment Research Interactive Technology and Simulation CAVE owned by Wright State University and housed at AFRL, Ermey was fully immersed in a virtual urban-environment combat search and rescue mission. Audio navigation cues from AFRL's 3D audio display helped him navigate through the virtual world, avoid enemies and complete the mission. Ermey noted how such technologies could help improve situational awareness in a real combat environment. 

Ermey is in his fifth year as host of The History Channel's Mail Call, where he educates viewers through his unique perspective on military history, weapons, technology and tactics. 

His visit to AFRL could result in a future Mail Call episode. 

"I'm always looking for that golden Mail Call show," said Ermey, who filmed a Mail Call episode in Iraq. "The guys in the field don't know what goes on back here in the laboratory. They know problems are being solved but they have no idea who's doing it. Maybe we'll come back and be able to do a show." 

Ermey, who just signed a two-year contract with the History Channel, said the show's producers usually assign his show topics, but he can select a technology "if it's something near and dear to my heart." He attends military tradeshows and tours military facilities to gather potential story ideas.
 
Ermey accompanied Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9550, Kettering Memorial Post, as their guest and as national spokesman for the VFW's Unmet Needs Program that donates up to $1,500 to families of deployed military personnel who need financial assistance. 

"The most important thing in our lives is our families and our loved ones, yet there's never been a program set up by our federal government that looks after the families of deployed troops. We've activated more Reserve and National Guard troops than ever before in the history of this country," Ermey said, without providing support for families that suffer financially because of wages lost due to deployment. 

Ermey considers his roles as Mail Call host and VFW spokesman a continuation of service to his country. 

"I was looking for a way to pull my share of the load," Ermey said. "I'm a little too old to charge up that hill and kill the bad guys. Oh, I can still get up the hill but I need to take a break before I shoot any bad guys. So, I've found my niche, this is what I do now." 

Ermey served 11 years in the Marine Corps from 1961 to 1971--including two years as a drill instructor--before retiring on a medical disability. He later received the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant and embarked on an acting career.