US and Polish allies learn valuable lessons in joint exercise

Photo By David Overson | Lithuanian Army Lt. Col. Viktoras Bagdonas, chief of staff for the Lithuanian Army "Griffin" Brigade, stands outside of the Lithuanian Tactical Operation Center during Allied Spirit VII, which took place at the U.S. Army's Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Nov. 18, 2017. Approximately 4,050 service members from 13 nations are participating in exercise Allied Spirit VII at 7th Army Training Command’s Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Oct. 30 to Nov. 22, 2017. Allied Spirit is a U.S. Army Europe-directed, 7ATC-conducted multinational exercise series designed to develop and enhance NATO and key partner’s interoperability and readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. David Overson)  

DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, POLAND

03.06.2015

Story by Sgt. Oscar Gollaz 

112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland -- American Dragoons and Polish soldiers strengthened their alliance and learned many valuable lessons during a multi-day exercise that concluded at Drawsko Pomorskie Land Forces Training Center, March 6, 2015.

Dragoons of K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and Poland’s 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Mechanized Brigade honed team and platoon live-fire skills and integrated indirect fire support as part of the Operation Atlantic Resolve exercise.

OAR is a NATO exercise led by the U.S. to test the alliance’s interoperability with Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian military forces while demonstrating U.S. commitment to a safe and prosperous Europe.

“The biggest accomplishment for K Troop in Poland is seeing the relationship and the alliance with the Polish army grow,” said 1st Lt. Christian Bellavia, K Troop fire support officer, “It’s definitely been a combined arms experience which is a unique opportunity to work with the Polish army.”

In the scenario, Dragoons and Polish infantry defended a Polish forward operating base after being attacked by an enemy force. Meanwhile a quick reaction force and a U.S. Dragoon platoon maneuvered to make contact with the enemy. The Poles simultaneously mounted a hasty defense when enemy reinforcements arrived, and the U.S. employed its mortars before assaulting and securing the enemy objective.

The experience provided many learning opportunities for both militaries that will enhance future joint operations.

“Basically, the different squads, teams, and platoons have been operating as one cohesive unit defending, assaulting and providing support,” said Spc. Kim Donggi, a 2 CR grenadier, “We have to understand each other’s methods of operation and equipment. Working with our NATO allies is important because in a war situation we are going to fight alongside each other, shoulder-to-shoulder.”

According to 2 CR Troopers, the language barrier between the allies has not been an issue during the three days of live-fire training because many Polish soldiers speak English well. The U.S. Troopers have even learned some Polish in the process.

The live-fire exercise is important as a joint operation because it demonstrates the confidence and trust between the U.S. and Polish armies, Bellavia said.

Seeing all of the different equipment, vehicles and weapons operate successfully in an allied live-fire training environment builds confidence that the two militaries can execute any joint mission, he added.

“I know without a doubt that we can work together,” Staff Sgt. Brandon Maloney, a squad leader with K Troop said. “If the time ever comes to be deployed together we will get the mission done.”

• Date Taken: 03.06.2015
• Date Posted: 03.08.2015 06:26
• Story ID: 156336
• Location: DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, PL