Photo By Sgt. Charlie Helmholt | (Left). Capt. Matthew M. McCarthy, commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd...... read more read more
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DRAWSKO-POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland – Members of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Vicenza, Italy met with several key members of the Polish military and the mayor of Drawsko-Pomorskie, Poland Sept. 17 here for an outgoing ceremony as they prepared to depart the region, ending their rotation in Poland as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The operation is a multi-national training exercise designed to improve interoperability and showcase North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces’ strength throughout the region.
The purpose of Atlantic Resolve is to demonstrate the U.S. solidarity with NATO allies by enhancing the presence of air, ground and naval forces in the region.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived in Poland in late April and has since conducted three rotations of paratroopers through the training here, and have also been successful in building relationships with the their host Polish population through several community outreach events. Soldiers from the Fort Hood, Texas-based 1st Brigade,1st Cavalry Division will rotate to Poland as the next unit to participate in Atlantic Resolve.
“In addition to all the training we did here, we were able to meet and speak with veterans in the area, play a soccer game and interact with the local people,” said Capt. Matthew M. McCarthy, commander of Company D. “We were able to meet and talk with kids at several schools. We even helped prepare one of the school’s grounds by performing general labor and landscaping.”
Col. Marek Gmurski, commander of Polish Land Forces Training, said outgoing ceremonies like this are rare and not held for everyone, but praised both the unit and its leadership for rising above expectations, particularly by engaging the local population.
“I wish Captain McCarthy all the best in the future and I hope the cooperation we enjoyed with the 173rd continues with other [American] units,” said Gmurski.
Drawsko-Pomorskie Mayor Zbigniew Ptak said he has enjoyed having the U.S. military training in his area.
“I am very glad that the cooperation between the American Forces and the city of Drawsko-Pomorskie has been established, and I am glad with all the great things we have done, and I hope we will do more great things together.”
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2014 08:49 |
| Story ID: | 142681 |
| Location: | DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, PL |
| Web Views: | 592 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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