FIDELITY GROUP welcomed Ambassador Alexandr Vondra, representative to the United States from the Czech Republic, to its corporate offices in Reading, Pennsylvania. The ambassador’s visit was part of a cooperative effort between Fidelity and the Czech Republic government to initiate an agreement to develop a computer-based artillery training system. Also in attendance were Czech Defense Attaché Major General Rostislov Kotil, U.S. Congressman Tim Holden, Colonel Wellsford Barlow, Jr. of the U.S. Army, and Michael O’Pake, Pennsylvania state senator.
The system under consideration is based upon technology developed and implemented by FIDELITY for the United States Army. Since 1993, Fidelity has been under contract with the United States Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Command Division (STRICOM) to deliver simulation trainers for forward observers. Known as GUARDFIST II, the simulation trainer is used by the Army National Guard to teach artillery forward observers how to execute an effective call for artillery fire.
GUARDFIST II uses electronic media to replicate actual battleground combat conditions in a non-combat (classroom) environment. Use of a GUARDFIST II simulator saves the military the cost of expending thousands of dollars for live artillery ammunition, and avoids the safety issues of live combat training. Fidelity has delivered 170 individual trainers and 30 classroom trainers to STRICOM, which are deployed around the world. GUARDFIST II Trainers played a significant role in recent incidents in Kosovo.
Jack Gulati, president of Fidelity Group, said “today’s visit by Ambassador Vondra, Congressman Holden, Colonel Barlow, and other representatives represents the initiation of the program and the beginning of what everyone hopes will be a long-lasting cooperative relationship between Fidelity and the Czech Companies, and their respective governments.”