Exercise Dragoon Ride Arrives in Tarnow, Poland

Photo By Staff Sgt. Caitlyn Byrne | 2nd Cavalry Regiment Soldiers conduct a community engagement event with Polish soldiers in Tarnow, Poland, May 31, as part of Exercise Dragoon Ride. Approximately 1,400 Soldiers, in 400 vehicles, will be covering more than 2,200 kilometers, through six countries Soldiers, beginning at Rose Barracks, Germany and journeying through Poland as part of Exercise Dragoon Ride. Also taking place in Poland will be Exercise Anakonda 16, a premier training event for U.S. Army Europe and participating nations which demonstrates that the U.S. and partnering nations can effectively unite together under a unified command while training on a contemporary scenario. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Caitlyn Byrne)  

TARNOW, POLAND

05.31.2016

Story by Sgt. Caitlyn Byrne 

10th Press Camp Headquarters

TARNOW, Poland--As the U.S. Stryker Combat Vehicles rumbled into the Tarnow town square, citizens gathered around, waving American and Polish flags, excitedly waiting to inspect the vehicles and meet Soldiers.

Soldiers from the 2nd Calvary Regiment and Polish Army came together for a joint community engagement event and wreath laying ceremony in the main square of Tarnow, Poland, May 31.

Approximately 1,400 Soldiers, in 400 vehicles, will be covering more than 2,200 kilometers, through six countries Soldiers, beginning at Rose Barracks, Germany and journeying through Poland as part of Exercise Dragoon Ride.

Also taking place in Poland will be Exercise Anakonda 16, a Polish-led, joint multinational exercise occurring from June 7-17. The exercise will involve more than 25,000 participants from over 20 nations. Exercise Anakonda 16 is a premier training event for U.S. Army Europe and participating nations, and demonstrates that the U.S. and partner nations can effectively unite together under a unified command while training on a contemporary scenario.

Staff Sgt. James Self, a native of Pittsburg, Pa. and cavalry scout for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, described the event saying, "we've come to this awesome town of Tarnow, which is beautiful, it's a great little historic town and we are right in the middle of the square. We set up our vehicles for display so that the local populace can see our vehicles, get inside the vehicles and just check everything out and really see what the U.S. military is, who we are and meet us first hand," he said.

Self said that he thought the community engagement event was a great experience not just for himself, but especially for some of his younger Soldiers.

"For our junior Soldiers, I think this type of stuff is amazing because this is a very historic part of the world," said Self. "There's so much to see that's taken place here over the years, and for them to be here first hand and to soak it all in is a great experience for them. Also, I think with a better understanding of each other's cultures and individual values, I think it just brings closeness and fosters that experience."

Private 1st Class Robert Thorton, a native of Spartanburg, S.C. and cavalry scout for 2nd Cav. Regt., agreed that getting to interact with Polish citizens holds a lot of value.

"I really like doing stuff like this a lot," said Thorton. "It's really great being here and getting to interact with the civilian population and just get to meet people face to face, shake their hands and show them our vehicles and how we do our jobs."

According to those who participated, the opportunity for U.S. and Polish Soldiers to interact with Polish citizens was the highlight of the event.

"My favorite part about doing events like this is just seeing everybody so happy to see us," said Thorton. "Even driving down the road through Poland, everybody has been really happy to see us. It's great to know that we're welcome here."

• Date Taken: 05.31.2016
• Date Posted: 06.02.2016 13:40
• Story ID: 199608
• Location: TARNOW, PL