Photo By Capt. Hector Rene Membreno-Canales | Firefighter Norbert Wkodkowski of Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland (right), and Pvt. Cody...... read more read more
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DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland - Hidden from plain view, behind the fire station in downtown Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, awaited a 50 foot rappelling wall, a basket crane, a hook ladder and several Polish fire fighters.
Typically, when an airborne paratrooper trains from high ground it requires an aircraft, a parachute and an open field, but for several paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, their training at this local Polish fire station July 15, was not typical.
“This is a new experience for everyone here,” said Christian Kurzatkowski, a Polish emergency paramedic assigned to the State Fire Brigade in downtown Drawsko Pomorskie. “I think we’re having fun; I hope we can spend more time with [the U.S. paratroopers] to integrate better.”
Firefighters in Poland have provided support for many of the U.S. Army training exercises conducted during Operation Atlantic Resolve, to include airborne jumps, shooting ranges and rappel training.
“The biggest thing is to show our commitment to the people of Poland,” said Sgt. 1st. class. David Cheney, a Portland, Maine, native and battalion operations noncommissioned officer assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment.
When the local firefighters provided on-site emergency response support during the first airborne jump of the exercise, it opened up the conversation for the teams to work together, said Cheney.
“After they whooped our butts at soccer during our 4th of July barbecue it broke the ice,” said Cheney. “We coordinated rappel training after that.”
Cheney explained that Operation Atlantic Resolve is about making a lasting impact on the citizens of Poland and that the best way to accomplish that is through their local communities as well as with their armed services.
“The firefighters have been some of the most accommodating people we’ve worked with in Poland,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Benge, a Nashville, Indiana, native and platoon sergeant assigned to the 2nd Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt., 173rd Airborne Brigade. “They’ve provided everything for us and have been patient with everything we’ve done today.”
Firefighters and paratroopers are constantly training to sharpen their life-saving skills, and they both know, at any moment, they could be called upon to use those skills in real life. The firefighters and paratroopers realized today that they are not all that different.
“This is awesome, I wanted to be a firefighter before I enlisted in the Army but today I got a chance to experience it,” said Pfc. Brendan Cook, a Bothell, Washington, native and a paratrooper assigned to the 2nd Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt., 173rd Airborne Brigade. “We’re here to understand how we’re different, how we’re similar and how to work together.”
After the paratroopers rappelled down the wall outside they continued the training inside, and found out what it was really like to be a firefighter. They put on fire suits, rubber boots and carried oxygen tanks on their backs while searching for casualties in a smoke filled room. By the end of the day, they were ready for a break.
Once the training was completed Capt. Andrzej Podolak, Fire and Rescue chief, invited the “Sky Soldiers” into the firehouse dining room, where they shared donuts and coffee.
Benge explained that training with the local community helps to build a lasting relationship for the future generation of American Soldiers.
“It helps to give people an idea of what an American Soldier is,” said Benge. “Activities like these show our allies that we’re real people with real feelings and not just these characters on TV and in movies.”
Operation Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. and NATO effort to build stronger local and international relationships with European allies and demonstrates the solidarity with between the United States and Poland through training.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2014 10:12 |
| Story ID: | 137833 |
| Location: | DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, PL |
| Hometown: | BAYTOWN, TX, US |
| Hometown: | BOTHELL, WA, US |
| Hometown: | FULTON, NY, US |
| Hometown: | NASHVILLE, IA, US |
| Hometown: | PORTLAND, ME, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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