Sportsman Channel Airs Behind-the-Scenes Military Training Series: Combat School
OutdoorHub 01.08.14
Granted unprecedented access to military training grounds, Combat School follows a platoon of soldiers as they train for the most technologically-advanced, intense, and realistic combat situations in military history. Airing on Sportsman Channel beginning Thursday, January 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Combat School follows the team as they transition from individual soldiers to a mechanized force ready for deployment. The film crew is then embedded with the platoon “outside the wire” in Afghanistan as their skills are put to the ultimate test.
The series is a part of the network’s “Red, Wild & Blue America,” where the Great Outdoors and American Spirit are celebrated in equal measure. The lineup expands the network’s drive to present the lifestyle of people who love – and live – to hunt, shoot and fish, including stories about travel, adventure, survival/military, cooking and eating, work, family and more with 560 new episodes and 27 new returning series this first quarter alone.
“Combat School is extremely compelling programming that appeals to our Sportsman audience who comprise of so many who served this great country of ours,” said Marc Fein, Executive V.P., Programming & Production of Sportsman Channel. “The stories of these brave men and women will truly enlighten viewers about what it takes to serve in the military.”
In the first episode, the soldiers, known as One Platoon, travel to Fort Bliss, Texas – an area that mimics the Afghan terrain. Difficulties are encountered from the start, leaving their company commander, Major Oberwarth, worried as the soldiers move into live fire exercises.
In subsequent episodes, the platoon falls behind in training leaving the question of “Who here wants to die?” After harsh training in Texas, One Platoon moves to Alberta, Canada, for the most realistic, complex and technologically-advanced combat training in the world. The remainder of their training sees them pushed to help a disabled helicopter after their commander is “critically injured” from shrapnel to see if their training is up to par.
Finally, after months of grueling training, the “battle-ready” troops arrive in Afghanistan – their home for the next six months. Assigned to a Forward Operating Base in the heart of Taliban territory, this will be the first time their combat skills are put to the ultimate test in the theatre of war and truly a “trial by fire.”
Learn more about Combat School at http://thesportsmanchannel.com.
