Tactical road march initiates enchanced Forward Presence rotation

Photo By Capt. Ellen Brabo | 1st Lt. Max Flannagan, operations assistant, 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, and Lt. Col. Adam Lackey, commander, 1/2CR, arrive to the Battle Group Poland at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, April 10, 2018. Lackey will assume command of the Battle Group Poland during a transfer of authority scheduled for later this month. (Photo by the 15th Mechanized Brigade Public Affairs Office, Poland)  

BEMOWO PISKIE, POLAND

04.13.2018

Story by 2nd Lt. Robert Bannon 

2d Cavalry Regiment

Six months of planning and preparation recently came to fruition for the 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment as they initiated their 1,500 kilometer tactical road march to the Battle Group Poland. At approximately 9 a.m., a convoy of vehicles belonging to 1/2CR paraded past a crowd of family, friends and Regimental leadership at Rose Barracks, Germany, April 5, 2018.

The vehicles came to a halt and the Soldiers dismounted to establish a formation in front of their loved ones, in hopes of receiving one last hug and kiss goodbye prior to departing for their six month rotation at the Battle Group Poland in support of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence initiative.

Following Chaplain (Maj.) John Lee’s opening prayer, Lt. Col. Adam Lackey, commander, 1/2CR, assumed the podium and provided a few motivating remarks to his Soldiers, their families and additional attendees from throughout the community.

“Nothing that we do here could be done without the help, not only of the Regiment and the units inside the Regiment, but all of the organizations here, who have done remarkable things to get us ready,” said Lackey.

Soldiers were then afforded the chance to briefly intermingle with their families. The farewells were challenging – especially for young couples who had not experienced the hardships of a deployment before.

“The hardest challenge of preparing was simply accepting the fact that our days were numbered before leaving,” said 2nd Lt. Brian Matiasmuniz, assistant logistics officer, 1/2CR. “Saying goodbye to my wife has been one of the hardest moments in our relationship. We knew that we would eventually have to go through this, being a part of the Army, but we feel that it will also strengthen our relationship.”

Afterwards, the War Eagles mounted back into their vehicles, flipped on the ignition switches and set off for the Bemowo Piskie Training Area located in the north eastern corner of Poland. Five days of movement lay between them and their final destination.

The first main body linked up with Polish interpreters and police escorts to cross the border into Poland, April 6, 2018. Maneuvering along the foreign roads presented an array of challenges. Dakota Troop, 1/2CR, played a critical role as their personnel quickly reacted to malfunctions and refueled vehicles at predetermined stopping points.

“Throughout the entire movement, my mechanics never let the operational readiness rate fall below 93 percent,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cody Olsen, maintenance technician, 1/2CR. “This is a stellar feat and not easily attainable considering the limited time to fix equipment. I am extremely proud of my team. They moved mountains provided top notch support for 1/2[CR] and all its attachments.”

With minimal setbacks, the Squadron arrived safely to the BPTA and began settling into their new home, April 10, 2018. The second main body arrived shortly afterwards, Apr. 12, 2018. In the midst of transition procedures, Squadron leadership aims to build upon the foundation established by the 3rd Squadron, 2CR and advance the Battle Group Poland to new heights.

A transfer of authority between Lt. Col. Scott Cheney, commander, 3/2CR, and Lackey is scheduled to take place later this month.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2018
• Date Posted: 04.13.2018 06:13
• Story ID: 272935
• Location: BEMOWO PISKIE, PL