Courtesy Photo | Members of Alpha Company of the 1-144 Maneuver Task Force listen as the German range...... read more read more
By Spc. Drew Balstad
PRIZREN, Kosovo - American and German Kosovo Forces troops came together here in January to participate in a challenging program of joint-marksmanship training.
On Jan. 20, Alpha Company of the 1-144th Maneuver Task Force went to FC Prizren to earn the "Schützenschnur," which translated means "shooter's badge," from the German troops stationed here. The Soldiers earn a badge by qualifying on two of three German weapons: the P8 pistol, MG3 machine gun or the G36 rifle.
"The exercise was a special one," said Lt. Col. Torsten A., German commander of Maneuver Battalion Prizren. "It was a mix of all the exercises you have to do for the German shooting badge. It is a typical selection of the exercises, but they are put together on one day, which is not typical, so the U.S. comrades can pass the procedure and get the badge."
The badge is a medal and cord that U.S. Army Soldiers are authorized to wear on their Class A uniform, if earned.
Earlier, Jan. 13, Alpha Company played host to 24 German Soldiers on Camp Bondsteel for their chance to qualify on American weapons, which included the M9 pistol, M249 SAW (squad automatic weapon) machine gun and M4 rifle.
The event largely was about weapons familiarization and marksmanship but involved much more than that.
"First of all I think it's a two-fold story," the German commander said, "The first one is that it's always good to learn about the weaponry of comrades. To know how other weapons work and how other procedures work. The other thing is to develop teamwork with comrades in the same mission. To get to know other opinions, understand their procedures and develop lasting friendships with allied nations."
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Steven Overton, Northridge, Calif., the first sergeant for Alpha Company of the 1-144th MTF, expanded on this.
"I thought it was an outstanding activity," he said. "Just to see how another nation conducts their ranges and to get the opportunity to fire another nation's weapons, especially, the machine gun, I thought that was a great opportunity."
The German soldiers who participated in the month's event will be leaving Kosovo to return home, having come to the end of their tour. The German commander expressed gratitude toward the Americans for helping to see them off during the medal presentation ceremony.
"This event will be the last thing that the German soldiers of our rotation participate in here," Torsten A. said. "I am deeply honored and proud to have shared this experience with you all."
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Enrique Montreal, Montebello, Calif., the executive officer of Alpha Company, hopes that this event will continue with the new German soldiers who arrive in Kosovo.
"I want to afford this opportunity to as many soldiers as possible," Montreal said. "I think everybody would benefit and it would only build strength and camaraderie between the two armies."
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2010 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 44374 |
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| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 145 |
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