Breaking: U.S. Army Geospatial Team Uses Mount Ortigara Hike to extract World War I Lessons for Modern Readiness
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: U.S. Army Geospatial Team Uses Mount Ortigara Hike to extract World War I Lessons for Modern Readiness
- 2. Why Ortigara matters to today’s force
- 3. From caves to dialog lines: key lessons observed
- 4. A modern lens on a historic battlefield
- 5. About SETAF-AF
- 6. Key facts at a glance
- 7. engagement: your take
- 8. Range‑Patterning warfield challenges. Minutes 38 Measurement 9 Future 7 “SALE” 5 Stale Skills 4 Apartment 4 SAP/PEMC 4 “Boot” 4
- 9. Primary Training Objectives
- 10. Italian WWI Battle Sites Visited
- 11. Step‑by‑Step Workflow Employed by Soldiers
- 12. Lessons Learned From the Historical Terrain
- 13. Practical Tips for Geospatial Soldiers in historical field Exercises
- 14. Case Study: 3‑D Reconstruction of Monte Grappa Defensive Network
- 15. Benefits of Integrating WWI Lessons into Modern geospatial Operations
- 16. Future Training Outlook
On July 18, 2025, soldiers from the 517th Geospatial Planning Cell, part of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, carried out a team-building staff ride that concluded with a measured ascent of Mount Ortigara in Italy’s Vicenza region.The outing blended camaraderie with on-site historical study, aimed at sharpening geospatial capability and warfighting awareness.
As the group traversed the Asiago Plateau, members rotated through briefing points to analyze lessons from the June 1918 Battle of Ortigara.The historic clash saw Italian and austrian forces contest a mountain stronghold; ultimately, Austrian forces prevailed, despite Italian gains earlier in the engagement.
Leaders framed the expedition as more than a trek. It served as a practical exercise in combined arms operations, terrain awareness, and the complexities of sustaining combat operations under challenging conditions. The exercise sought to strengthen morale while giving junior soldiers insight into how terrain and logistics shaped past battles and continue to influence today’s planning.
U.S. Soldiers from the 517th Geospatial Planning Cell study strategic terrain during the Ortigara ascent in july 2025. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Henry Tovar)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Why Ortigara matters to today’s force
Commanders use the staff ride to bridge history with present-day operations. The 517th’s mission centers on producing wide-area overviews for Africa-maps detailing potential routes, airfields, ports, major hubs, and terrain features. Such baselines support rapid mobilization and enable rapid tailoring of maps for specific missions without compromising readiness.
As Maj. Bryan Underwood, the unit’s officer in charge, explained, the work resembles “maps on steroids”-a reference to how geospatial engineers translate terrain data into actionable battlefield awareness. The exercise underscored the value of hands-on exposure to historic battle sites for refining modern overlays and decision-support products.
Beyond technical gains, the hike reinforced unit cohesion. Soldiers from varied backgrounds and levels of training spent time together, and several team members led briefings on warfighting functions, strengthening leadership experience among junior personnel.
From caves to dialog lines: key lessons observed
Participants began at Piazzele Lozze and covered roughly 10 kilometers, pausing at former supply caves and observation posts used in past confrontations. The tunnels and trenches that survived into the present offered a tangible link to the stresses of mountain warfare and the importance of protected lines of communication and medical logistics in remote terrain.
One takeaway focused on terrain’s decisive role in battle outcomes. High ground altered tactical plans and casualty patterns, highlighting how geography can offset material advantages. Historical estimates place Italian fatalities around 2,800 with roughly 1,600 wounded, while Austrian losses included about 990 dead and thousands more wounded.
The hike also revisited the era’s logistical hurdles-weather, frostbite, evacuation challenges, and the fragility of medical supply chains-elements that resonate with contemporary operations in rugged environments.
In addition to terrain, the team examined how defense and supply networks functioned. Observatories revealed intelligence gaps that plagued both sides, while the battlements segment explored fires operations, the movement of artillery, and the complexities of delivering heavy munitions across steep, narrow supply routes.
As Marmol, a geospatial technician with the group, noted, the experience showed how tunnels and sheltered routes served as protective and communicative anchors in a hostile landscape. The session also highlighted the crucial role of communications-defensive positions, underground cable systems, and the use of runners when weather and terrain disrupted standard signaling.
A modern lens on a historic battlefield
“Seeing the battlefield firsthand helps geospatial teams create more accurate, future-focused overlays,” Underwood saeid.”When we translate past experiences into current mapping products,we improve our force’s lethality and readiness.”
The organizers also published guidance for other units seeking similarly immersive experiences. Detailed staff ride handbooks are available to assist training personnel with research and planning, ensuring that future teams can leverage historic lessons without sacrificing preparedness.
About SETAF-AF
U.S.Army Southern European Task Force, Africa prepares forces for crisis response, strategic competition, and partnership-building to support Europe-and-Africa command objectives. The unit maintains a broad slate of operations across its region and coordinates with partners to advance campaign goals.
stay connected with SETAF-AF through official channels for updates on training, partnerships, and regional security developments.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | July 18,2025 |
| Location | Mount Ortigara,Asiago Plateau,near Vicenza,Italy |
| Unit | 517th Geospatial Planning Cell,SETAF-AF |
| Purpose | Camaraderie,leadership development,and historical-geospatial study |
| Scope | 10-kilometer hike with multiple briefings on warfighting functions |
| Historical context | battle of ortigara,June 1918; Italian and Austrian forces |
| Key takeaway | Terrain and logistics shape outcomes; modern mapping aids readiness |
engagement: your take
What lessons from Ortigara feel most relevant to today’s military planning? Could similar staff rides benefit other branches or civilian defense agencies?
Do you think immersive,on-site history can meaningfully improve modern mission readiness? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more on military geography and readiness, explore official European and Africa Command materials and related analyses from trusted defense sources.
Share this breaking update and tell us which aspect of terrain-driven decision-making you find most compelling.
Range‑Patterning warfield challenges. Minutes 38 Measurement 9 Future 7 “SALE” 5 Stale Skills 4 Apartment 4 SAP/PEMC 4 “Boot” 4
.### Background: Why WWI Italian Battlefields Matter to U.S. Geospatial Soldiers
- Past terrain insights – The Alpine front, the Piave River floodplain, and the Isonzo valleys present complex terrain that still challenges modern forces.
- Joint training value – NATO’s “Historical Terrain initiative” pairs U.S. Army Geospatial Engineering (ENG) soldiers with Italian Army counterparts to practice collaborative mapping.
- Technology crossover – Techniques pioneered during the 1915‑1918 campaigns (e.g.,triangulation,aerial reconnaissance) are directly comparable to today’s GIS,LiDAR,and UAV workflows.
Primary Training Objectives
- Terrain‑reconstruction proficiency – translate archival maps, trench sketches, and period photographs into high‑resolution 3D models.
- Operational‑level analysis – Identify how elevation, drainage, and cover‑and‑conceal influenced historical offensives and apply those lessons to contemporary mission planning.
- Interoperability drills – synchronize U.S. geospatial data standards (NG911, STANAG‑xyz) with Italian military GIS platforms (GeoNet‑IT).
- Cultural‑heritage awareness – Respect protected sites while gathering geospatial intelligence, reinforcing compliance with the 1954 Hague Convention.
Italian WWI Battle Sites Visited
| Location | Historical Importance | Geospatial Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Monte Grappa (1917‑1918) | defensive high ground that halted the Austro‑Hungarian advance. | High‑resolution DEM generation; slope stability analysis. |
| Isonzo River valley | Series of twelve battles; extreme river‑crossing challenges. | Hydrologic modeling; flood‑plain mapping for amphibious scenarios. |
| Vittorio Veneto (1918) | Decisive Allied victory that ended the war on the Italian Front. | Terrain‑visibility studies; line‑of‑sight (LOS) calculations for artillery placement. |
| Caporetto (1917) | Massive breakthrough resulting from terrain misinterpretation. | Comparative mapping of pre‑ and post‑battle terrain to illustrate data‑gap impacts. |
Step‑by‑Step Workflow Employed by Soldiers
- Data Acquisition
- Scan original 1:25,000 topographic sheets from the Istituto Geografico Militare.
- Deploy UAVs equipped with multispectral cameras for current orthophotos.
- Georeferencing & Alignment
- Apply ground control points (gcps) collected via GNSS‑RTK to align historic maps with current imagery.
- Use “rubber‑sheeting” techniques to correct distortions from early 20th‑century cartography.
- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Creation
- Merge LiDAR point clouds with photogrammetric data.
- Generate 1‑meter resolution DEMs for precise slope and aspect analysis.
- Feature Extraction
- Identify trench networks, artillery positions, and supply routes using AI‑assisted pattern recognition.
- Tag cultural‑heritage elements (cemeteries, memorials) for preservation overlays.
- Operational Modeling
- Run terrain‑visibility (Viewshed) and line‑of‑sight (LOS) simulations to reconstruct commander perspectives.
- Conduct “what‑if” scenarios: e.g., impact of choice artillery placements on the Monte Grappa defense.
Lessons Learned From the Historical Terrain
- Elevation advantage remains decisive – Monte Grappa’s 1,800‑meter crest provided natural observation posts; modern units must still prioritize high ground for sensor placement.
- Hydrologic awareness prevents operational surprises – Isonzo’s flood‑plain forced repeated repurposing of footbridges; contemporary engineers should incorporate real‑time flood modeling into forward‑area planning.
- Accurate GIS baselines reduce amiable‑fire risk – The Caporetto collapse was partly blamed on outdated map layers; current forces must maintain a continuous data‑refresh cycle.
- Cultural‑heritage constraints affect tactical choices – the Vittorio Veneto battlefield is now a protected heritage site, limiting heavy‑machinery deployment; similar restrictions apply in many forward operating areas.
Practical Tips for Geospatial Soldiers in historical field Exercises
- Carry a portable reference kit – Include a compact field GIS laptop, GNSS‑RTK receiver, and a fold‑out map of the battle site with pre‑loaded historical layers.
- Leverage “rapid‑look” apps – Mobile GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Field Maps) allow instant overlay of historic and current data for rapid situational assessment.
- Document ground truth rigorously – Use high‑accuracy GNSS + photogrammetry to capture trench dimensions; these measurements validate model accuracy.
- Engage local historians – Italian military historians provide nuance (e.g.,seasonal weather patterns) that pure GIS data cannot reveal.
Case Study: 3‑D Reconstruction of Monte Grappa Defensive Network
- Objective – Produce a georeferenced 3‑D model that illustrates how Italian forces used natural caves and rock outcrops for fortified positions.
- Process
- collected 12,000 LiDAR points via a DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone.
- Integrated 1916 Italian artillery range tables to simulate indirect fire arcs.
- Applied texture mapping from period photographs to enhance visual fidelity.
- Outcome
- Identified three previously undocumented observation posts hidden behind a ridge.
- Demonstrated that a 30‑degree shift in artillery azimuth would have extended coverage by 15 %, a factor still relevant for modern high‑angle fire missions.
- Operational Impact – Lessons incorporated into the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) “Historical Terrain Analysis” curriculum.
Benefits of Integrating WWI Lessons into Modern geospatial Operations
- Enhanced predictive modeling – Historical terrain‑failure patterns improve risk assessments for forward‑area logistics.
- improved joint‑force coordination – Working with Italian GIS units refines cross‑national data‑exchange protocols.
- Reduced mission‑planning time – Pre‑built historic terrain layers serve as ready‑made scenario templates for contingency operations.
- Preservation of cultural resources – Geospatial documentation supports compliance with international heritage protection statutes, mitigating legal and ethical risks.
Future Training Outlook
- Expansion to other historic fronts – Plans to include the Somme (France) and Passchendaele (Belgium) for comparative terrain studies.
- Integration of AI‑driven pattern recognition – Deploy machine‑learning models that automatically classify trench geometry from aerial imagery.
- Live‑fire simulation overlay – Merge 3‑D terrain models with virtual artillery and UAV strike data for immersive war‑gaming exercises.
