US 3rd Infantry Division conducts river crossing training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke | U.S. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Soldiers successfully complete a river crossing at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 11, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a DEFENDER-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 15-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish Soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities, and establish a common intelligence operation picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke)  

DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, POLAND

06.11.2020

Story by Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

OLESZNO, Poland -- U.S. Soldiers with 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, performed river crossing training at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, with their Polish Allies June 11, 2020.

“I think what’s going on behind me is pretty unique,” said U.S. Army Col. Patrick O’Neal, commander of the brigade. “You don’t see our brigade combat team perform a wet gap crossing too often.”

O'neal said the wet gap-river crossing is an instance where a linear obstacle prevents normal ground maneuvers. Special planning is required and a number of factors have to be weighed. These include surveying, coordination and observation of weather conditions.

The operation was also performed in tandem with elements of Polish Armed Forces. While American armored units crossed a pontoon bridge set up Wednesday, soldiers with the Polish 12th Mechanized Division prepared to traverse the training site in amphibious vehicles.

“This is important because it shows the mobility of two nations working together in an optimal way to accomplish a common task,” O’Neal said.

“It’s really cool to be working with an Allied army,” said the "Spartan Brigade's" U.S. Army 1st Lt. Spyro Boursinos. “We’ve gotten to look at each other's vehicles and we swapped patches too.”

“The Polish people are brilliant partners,” O’Neal said. “Everything they’ve done with us has only made us better.”

“We’re learning to fight together - how they are, how we are - and developing great interoperability,” Boursinos said. ”It furthers our bonds as Allied countries and when we understand each other we’re better together.”

• Date Taken: 06.11.2020
• Date Posted: 06.11.2020 15:49
• Story ID: 371891
• Location: DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, PL