RUKLA, Lithuania — Nearly 2,000 Soldiers participated in a multinational field training exercise as part of Saber Strike 2014 on June 16, 2014, at the Gaižiūnų Training Range near Rukla.
Saber Strike 2014 is a U.S. Army Europe-led exercise mainly focused on the three Baltic States and is designed to promote regional stability, strengthen international military partnerships, enhance multinational interoperability and prepare participants for worldwide contingency operations.
There are approximately 4,500 participants from 10 nations involved in the overall exercise which spans across multiple locations throughout Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
The purpose of the field training exercise is to demonstrate how allied forces can work together.
“NATO is a security alliance, and this training ensures that we keep a robust and reliable military running,” said Maj. Vilhelm Elsang of the Danish Reaction Battle Group 2014-2 and instructor for the exercise.
The field training exercise at the Gaiziunu Training Range involves the following: the Reaction Battle Group of the 2nd Brigade of the Danish Division; the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion with assigned air, military medicine, military police and engineer units; the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade; a company of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Mechanized Infantry Battalion and a company from the Grand Duchess Birute Uhlan Battalion; a scout platoon of Polish Land Forces and members of the U.S. Pennsylvania National Guard.
All of the units took part in a united attack to demonstrate their compatibility with each other. In addition to the troops, there is a team of instructors evaluating each combat situation on tactics, maneuvers and strategy.
Close air support has also been incorporated into the field training exercise, simulating air strikes.
“These exercises demonstrate that allies can cohesively work together,” said Maj. Richard Dumbliauskas, senior observer coach trainer for the Algirdas Battalion from Lithuania.
Training operations such as Saber Strike 2014 provide an opportunity for militaries to test their capabilities. Elsang stated that this was a very practical approach to test the new concept of the Danish Reaction Battle Group on a large scale exercise.
Interoperability and strengthening partnerships between NATO allies has been a top focus for this year’s exercise which takes place June 9-20. The goal of interoperability is combining unique strategies and command into one common operating environment.
“We are very pleased to have such profound participation for this year’s exercise. It is reassuring to have such great allies,” said Dumbliauskas.
For more information: www.eur.army.mil
https://www.facebook.com/#!/USArmyEurope
https://twitter.com/USArmyEurope
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyeurope_images
Date Taken: | 06.16.2014 |
Date Posted: | 06.16.2014 15:42 |
Story ID: | 133269 |
Location: | RUKLA, LT |
Web Views: | 133 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers test their combat skills and interoperability during a multinational field training exercise, by SGT Sara Marchus, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT