Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Bryson | U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Troops run through trenches Uduring an evaluation exercise at...... read more read more
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BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland - U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the Eagle Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, took to the trenches during an evaluation exercise at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Nov. 11, 2020. The troop is an important element of Battle Group-Poland's Task Force Cougar, which works with international partners and allies to defend against any potential threat to the region.
The fast-paced, comprehensive exercise incorporated a dismounted attack with fire support from Stryker vehicles, a breach by combat engineers, trench warfare and, ultimately, the defense of a forward position in the gained territory.
U.S. Army Pvt. Cole Decker, from Bedford, Pennsylvania, was one of the Soldiers put to the test during the exercise.
"This is my dream job," Decker said.
His face was covered with sweat and mud.
“I was on the assault team, and we had heavy support fire from third platoon on the ridge," he explained. "First platoon gave simple local support by fire after them, but we were the assault element.”
He smiled again and added, “We were the ones who went in and cleared out all those bunkers. It was so much fun. It was awesome!”
Capt. Stephen Murray, commander of Eagle Troop, said his cavalrymen trained diligently to get certified at their individual and troop level tasks prior to the event.
First, at the squad level, leaders familiarized themselves with maneuvering teams through various situations and terrain environments. Then, they moved to the platoon level, where lieutenants and platoon sergeants gained valuable experience maneuvering multiple squads through larger exercises, including a live fire. Once certified at the squad and platoon levels, it was time to test Eagle Troop as a whole.
Murray said the exercise was crucial, as it not only offered the regiment the opportunity to evaluate Soldiers at the squad, platoon and company level but also offered him important training as a commander.
“It's my chance to get a chance at a repetition of actually maneuvering multiple platoons simultaneously,” Murray explained and added the training was important to Battle Group-Poland's mission where his troops presented a critical line of defense in the region.
“In order for the battle group to be successful, we have to ensure that all the troops on the ground are ready for their mission,” said Murray.
Decker asserted Eagle Troop is ready to defend against any threat an aggressor might pose in the region with a quick and lethal response, if necessary.
“If a situation goes down, we're ready to take it head on,” Decker said confidently. “We can do whatever is asked of us and needs to be done.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2020 03:43 |
| Story ID: | 383065 |
| Location: | BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, PL |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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