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    1/34 ABCT contributes to NATO interoperability

    1/34 ABCT contributes to NATO interoperability

    Photo By Lt. Col. John Hobot | Minnesota National Guard Army Soldiers from the 1/34 ABCT remain actively engaged...... read more read more

    ZAGREB, CROATIA

    08.30.2014

    Story by Capt. John Hobot 

    Minnesota National Guard

    ZAGREB, Croatia - Twenty one Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (1/34 ABCT) participated in Immediate Response 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia.

    United States European Command’s joint training and exercise program was instrumental in the planning and execution of Immediate Response 2014.

    The command post and tactical field training exercise involved more than 900 military personnel from 11 NATO member and partner nations to include: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, United Kingdom and the United States.

    The exercise prepared participants to operate successfully in a joint, multinational, interagency and integrated operational environment. Additionally, multinational commanders and staff sections were tested in joint military planning and mission execution.

    "This year’s operation focused on a peace support operation which was executed from two separate countries simultaneously," said Capt. Mark Gile, Exercise Assistant Operations Officer. “One Brigade Task Force “Bayonet” conducted operations from Postojna, Slovenia while a second Brigade Task Force “Shield” conducted operations from Zagreb, Croatia,” added Gile.

    The Minnesota National Guard’s mission during the exercise was to provide convoy escort security and force protection as 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry in support of a Multinational Support Brigade know as Task Force Shield.

    “The Minnesota National Guard contingent was made up of officers and enlisted Soldiers from almost every battalion within the 1/34 ABCT," said Sgt. 1st Class Rian Hofstad, Exercise Observer Controller Trainer.

    “All warfighting function staff sections remained actively engaged throughout the exercise as enemy and friendly information flowed into our tactical operations center," said Lt. Col. Jason Benson, Exercise Battalion Commander. “Our staff sections analyzed and de-conflicted information in order to develop a common operating picture towards a common goal – mission accomplishment,” commented Benson.

    It is no secret that military operations are complex, human endeavors characterized by the continuous, mutual give and take, moves, and countermoves among all participants. This exercise better prepared NATO allies and regional partners in multinational force cohesion and cooperation during times of crisis.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.30.2014
    Date Posted: 09.11.2014 13:22
    Story ID: 141811
    Location: ZAGREB, HR

    Web Views: 156
    Downloads: 0

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