Photo By Lauren Harrah | TRZEBIEN, Poland – Soldiers of Company D, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor...... read more read more
Subscribe
TRZEBIEN, Poland – After wrapping up a week-long sustainment gunnery, Soldiers of Company D, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, conducted Polish weapons training at Świętoszów Polish Army Base, July 29. The D Co. “Dark Knights” worked closely with Polish allies of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, 11th Armoured Cavalry Division, headquartered there, using an engagement skills trainer or weapons simulator.
The EST simulator provided soldiers with marksmanship training and familiarization with Polish weapon systems including the PM-84 Glauberyt submachine gun, Beryllium assault rifle, AKMS assault rifle, PKM machine gun, BOR sniper rifle, WKW Tor sniper rifle, and RPG anti-tank weapon.
The training also gave soldiers a break from gunnery and rewarded them for the hard work they have been putting in everyday, said 1st Lt. Brett Lamarca, executive officer, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Wafe, command sergeant major of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joel A. Baker, command sergeant major of 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., were also in attendance for the training.
“We are trying to make sure the soldiers have an understanding of our counterpart’s weapon systems and what they can do with it,” said Wafe. “If we were to be in combat and that weapon system was laying on the ground, they would know how to operate it.”
Polish soldiers provided a brief introduction and weapons demonstration, after which U.S. soldiers were invited to try them out and complete simulated on-screen missions.
“It’s cool to see and use their weapons because they are a lot different than ours,” said Pvt. Ashton Thomas, bradley driver, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt. “They are much smaller and the sights feel different than what we’re used to.”
During their rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the Dark Knights have worked closely with NATO allies to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to enduring peace and stability in the region.
“This is history,” Wafe said. “Even if a soldier hasn’t deployed before, they’re making history and adding another chapter in the book. They should be proud of it so when they go home, they can tell about all the great things the Army is doing to make this one team in Europe.”
To round out their visit, the Dark Knights also took a guided tour of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade museum. Soldiers viewed artifacts from World War II and learned about the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade’s history following the invasion of Poland in 1939.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2016 03:53 |
| Story ID: | 205717 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Weapon simulator brings NATO allies together, by Lauren Harrah, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
