Photo By Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt | Maj. Gen. Ricardo Ruben Pajares, Peruvian Military Attaché, reads a plaque about 1st...... read more read more
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Foreign military attachés and their spouses visited Fort Bliss, Texas, for a three-day tour hosted by the 1st Armored Division beginning November 16, 2017.
“The goal of the trip was to give them an appreciation for the U.S. Army in the southwestern United States’ unique geography, history, and culture,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin C. Wulfhorst, assistant deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Head Quarters, Department of the Army. “We hope this trip will increase the friendships and camaraderie within the Washington corps of military attachés.”
Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1AD guided the attachés on a visit that included an aerial tour of the Fort Bliss training area, trying out the M1A2 Abrams Tank simulators at the Close Combat Tactical Trainer, and an up close look at the tank hosted by the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT.
“The best part about this is showcasing U.S. capabilities to allies, friendly nations, and everyone else out there,” said Col. Robert E. Lee Magee, commander, 3rd ABCT, 1AD. “It helps to contribute to overall stability when people know what you can do as opposed to just guessing.”
The foreign military attachés, all senior officers from their respective nations’ militaries, came to Fort Bliss to gain a better understanding of the resources and facilities available to prepare the U.S. Army for its assigned missions. They also took the opportunity to get to know the Soldiers.
“This is my second time visiting a U.S. facility,” said Lt. Col. Karol Sobczyk, Polish Military Attaché. “I really enjoy being around U.S. Soldiers. It is a platform for exchanging experiences, especially when we have all the same experience from Afghanistan.”
Solders from 3rd ABCT also took advantage of the chance to learn about other militaries.
“The FMA visit provided the opportunity for mutually beneficial dialog with our international partners,” said Capt. Brent Beadle, civil affairs officer, 3rd ABCT, 1AD. “I had the chance to discuss the U.S. and Chinese officer professional development with a senior colonel from China, which was a once in a lifetime career opportunity.”
The visitors began their trip at the Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museum where they met Maj. Gen. Douglas Chalmers, deputy commanding general, III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, and Brig. Gen. Mark Landes, deputy commanding general, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. They discussed the history, demographics, and purpose of Fort Bliss and 1AD and toured the museum.
Chalmers, an officer from the United Kingdom serving in a U.S. headquarters, expressed the U.S. military philosophy of being ready now.
“When you hear Gen. Milley describe ready now, he means the quality of the training is rising up,” said Chalmers. “We are focusing to make sure our material readiness is up. We are trying to make sure that we are shrinking the timeline so that we can project combat power and do all of it better and quicker than we have.”
Chalmers stated that in addition to being ready now, it is important to grow partnerships. He explained visits like this one are an opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience.
After hearing from the general officers, the attachés ate lunch at the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1AD, dining facility, followed by a tour of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
On the second day, the attachés received an aerial tour of the Fort Bliss training area from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
“The dimension of the whole camp was impressive,” said Navy Capt. Jose Luis Afonso Galrito, Portuguese Military Attaché. “Flying really showed the importance of what goes on here.”
The attachés enjoyed lunch at 3rd ABCT’s Iron Soldier Café before exploring M1A2 Abrams Tanks at the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT motor pool. They climbed on top and inside the tanks and asked questions of the tank crew members.
“I would have to say 3rd Brigade was my favorite part,” said Brig. Gen. Pekka J. Toveri, Finnish Military Attaché. “I’m a tanker myself, so I am a bit biased, but I want to say real thanks for seeing the real armored guys and talking to the real cavalry guys. That’s a real honor for me.”
The visit included a tour of the Close Combat Tactical Trainer where the attachés tried the M1A2 Abrams Tank simulators.
“The interactions with this huge institution was interesting and informing,” said Col. Gottfried Malovits, Austrian Military Attaché.
The U.S. Soldiers who hosted the foreign military officers also benefited from the experience.
“It always opens your eyes when you see how other nations view your own military,” said Magee. “It is eye opening to see what they liked, what they didn’t like, what interests them, and how that would contrast with what I think their nations can do.”
Soldiers from 3rd ABCT appreciated the foreign military attachés’ interest in their work at Fort Bliss.
“It was a humbling experience as far as learning how different cultures and different armies operate,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony LaPaglia, small arms master gunner, 3rd ABCT, 1AD. “Them coming to us to see how we do things is also a humbling experience.”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2017 11:11 |
| Story ID: | 256465 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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