FORT DRUM — A squad of U.S. soldiers breaks down a courtyard door and storms a small house where an insurgent leader is hiding, as two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopters hover overhead, providing air support.

After a brief firefight, the soldiers manage to take control of the house, killing three insurgents and capturing their target.

The scenario was a training exercise observed by about 70 civilians Wednesday as part of Fort Drum's Association of the United States Army's annual "A Day with Your Soldiers."

"What we're trying to do is educate the civilians on what the Army does," said Michael T. Plummer, a retired Fort Drum colonel and the AUSA board member who organized the event.

Those who participated were from groups or companies that work with the installation or adopt Fort Drum-based units while they are overseas.

Mr. Plummer said it was an opportunity for civilians to "smell, taste, and feel" what soldiers do in training.

The visitors were bused out to a replica of a rural village on the post's training grounds. There they observed a live-fire training exercise in which a squad of nine soldiers from 2nd Platoon, B Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, had to make its way through woods, buildings and enemy fire to capture the insurgent target.

Platoon commander Lt. Thomas E. Rieck said the soldiers had been participating in training exercises for about a week before the AUSA event.

"It's just another day in the field for us," he said.

After the exercise, visitors were able to tour the training grounds, speak with soldiers about the exercises, try on some of their equipment and sample an MRE, or meal ready to eat, that soldiers eat in the field.

Lt. Rieck said the day allowed civilians to get to know soldiers on a personal level.

"It's important to put a face to all those reports they hear," he said.

Lt. Rieck also said it was nice to know so many people were interested in what the soldiers were doing.

"We appreciate the support," he said.

Spc. Nolan C. Fountain, a member of the training squad, said he was "excited" to have civilians watch the exercises.

"That way it's not such a mystery of what we do," he said.

Daniel J. Deon, manager of the Watertown Hannaford Bros. supermarket, attended because his company has sponsored several units through AUSA.

"This is great to see what they do out in the field," he said. "It's a lot of hard work and preparation.

Ann F. Elmer, Watertown, also participated through her employer, J.C. Penney Co., which is a member of AUSA. She said there can be a "division" between the Army and civilians because many people do not know what soldiers do in their day-to-day work, and this event helped to bridge that gap.

"I thought it was very enlightening," Ms. Elmer said.