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    "Cobra" Company, Georgian Armed Forces fight side-by-side

    "Cobra" Company, Georgian Armed Forces fight side-by-side

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Sanchez, an infantryman assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd...... read more read more

    VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, GEORGIA

    11.27.2018

    Story by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly 

    382nd Public Affairs Detachment

    VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, Georgia – U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and Georgian Armed Forces conducted a multi-national platoon live fire qualification in support of the Georgia Defense Readiness Program, an enduring training event between U.S. and Georgian forces, Nov. 24-26, 2018.

    2-8 CAV and Georgian soldiers worked together as a cohesive unit to qualify each platoon in preparation for the company combined arms live fire evaluation.

    For three days 2-8 CAV and Georgian soldiers lived in an isolated field in the bone-chilling cold where the mud was thick, the ground was wet and civilization was far from view.

    “The training here has been non-stop and very rigorous on the body,” said U.S. Army Pvt. Gavin Moharter an infantryman assigned to white platoon, Charlie Co., 2-8 CAV. “It’s hard on us but its necessary if we’re going to get the job done right.”

    They kicked off the first day with rehearsals swiftly transitioning to the second day of blank fire building up to the third and final day of the live fire evaluation.

    “Getting our Soldiers ready to execute the mission with live rounds has been a great challenge but also a great opportunity,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Stephen Greenway the infantry platoon leader of white platoon, Charlie Co., 2-8 CAV.

    Three platoons consisting of U.S. and Georgian forces were put to the test, as they had to navigate through the mountainous terrain, engage simulated enemy targets, breach and push through a mine wired obstacle, secure an objective of three buildings and perform casualty evacuations.

    Each platoon quickly maneuvered through the slippery hills, thick mud and deep trenches. They kept their heads on a swivel looking for any signs of enemy movement and communicated through various hand signals to ensure noise discipline in the simulated combat environment.

    Once the sound of enemy rounds echoed through the air, the Soldiers jumped into action shouting commands and engaging enemy targets.

    Each squad within the platoon moved efficiently doing their part to ensure the objective was successfully taken and the area was secured.

    “I think all of the Soldiers are starting to understand their specific role,” said Greenway. “They’re understanding their weapon system better and on a whole we are performing very well as a unit.”

    The Georgian Armed forces squad did their part by providing the rear security, pushing through after the breach and setting up on the hillside to watch for targets.

    “They were right there in the heat of the action,” Greenway said.

    Whether it was gathering by the fire in the daggering cold or fighting the same fight as a cohesive unit, the 2-8 CAV and Georgians worked well together despite the language barrier.

    “The language barrier between us and the Georgians is always a challenge... but humans have a funny way of bonding together especially when they’re sharing hardships in the field,” Greenway said. “That’s one of the great things about serving in our countries Army, you get to work with people from all over the world sharing your hard ships with them and that builds a bond that is very special and very unique.”

    The rigorous training finally came to an end late in the night as the words “End Ex (end of exercise)” echoed through field.

    The 2-8 CAV and Georgian forces took the training as an opportunity to learn and support one another on and off the battlefield.

    “If they fall, we fall,” said U.S. Army Spc. Mackenzie Rice an infantryman of white platoon, Charlie Co., 2-8 CAV. “We all get up together.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.27.2018
    Date Posted: 11.30.2018 10:32
    Story ID: 301315
    Location: VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, GE

    Web Views: 408
    Downloads: 3

    PUBLIC DOMAIN