Photo By Sgt. Casandra Ancheta | U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery...... read more read more
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ĀDAŽI, Latvia – U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment (2-82 FA), 3rd Armored Brigade Combat team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1 ABCT) operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), participated in a joint live fire exercise with Danish armed forces and Spanish armed forces in Camp Ādaži, Latvia, Dec. 13-15, 2022.
The 2-82 FA, 3-1 ABCT conducted a live-fire training exercise utilizing M109A7 Paladin howitzers to fire 155mm artillery rounds onto designated targets to simulate artillery support for combat missions.
“This exercise was a great opportunity to ensure the interoperability of our battery and mission readiness by combining our qualification exercise into a NATO live fire exercise,” said U.S. Army Capt. Michael Tkach, Charlie battery commander for the 2-82 FA, 3-1 ABCT.
Live fire exercises like these are a small part of the certification sustainment tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) in place to ensure readiness and competency for future exercises.
“We did our last certification back in September,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brock Daughtery, a field artillery officer and platoon leader for 2-82 FA. “We had some extra rounds so we used this as an opportunity to keep our certifications, make sure the crews are up and everyone is still certified with their exact crews to fire.”
Aside from maintaining and sustaining their certification, live fire exercises provide the Soldiers with a realistic opportunity to enhance the efficiency of their positions as well as their TTPs.
“Going through these repetitions are definitely important to making sure each Soldier knows their job, the next job up and their purpose,” said Daughtery.
The interoperability showcased alongside the Danish and Spanish armed forces made this live fire exercise a unique opportunity for U.S. Soldiers to work together, shoulder to shoulder, with their NATO counterparts.
“The gunline recognized that we’re part of something bigger than just a normal shoot,” said Daughtery. “The Soldiers have really enjoyed knowing that we’re working with another nation.”
Teamwork and synchronization among allied nations during training exercises is the foundation of a cohesive international military war fighting component.
“The professionalism of these two countries continue to impress me every time I work with them,” said Tkach.
Throughout the 2-82 FA rotation to Europe, this was their first experience working together with NATO countries.
“This exercise is the most important training exercise our battery has done on this entire rotation,” said Tkach. “It is the most integrated NATO experience our Soldiers have had.”
For U.S. Soldiers, the opportunity to train alongside other nations strengthens the capabilities and proficiencies of the allied nations military to deter and defend against any aggressors to the region.
“We know that being part of NATO requires you to work with other nations and for the U.S. Army, we don’t have a lot of training like that unless we are overseas,” said Daughtery. “Our commander took advantage of that, reached out to other units and worked on doing an exercise together.”
The results of the multinational live fire exercise provided readiness for the Soldiers and cultivated camaraderie and strengthened the bonds between allied nations military fighting units that defend the European theater.
“This exercise ensured we would be successful in any contingency operations in the Baltic region,” said Tkach. “I could not be prouder of our Soldiers and the accomplishments of our little multinational artillery group.”
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.27.2022 06:51 |
| Story ID: | 435505 |
| Location: | ĀDAžI, LV |
| Web Views: | 728 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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