Second Cavalry Regiment arrives ready for Allied Spirit I

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

01.17.2015

Story by Sgt. William Tanner 

2d Cavalry Regiment

HOHENFELS, Germany - Stykers, Humvees and LMTV Light Utility Vehicles pulled into Hohenfels Training Area on a brisk Monday morning as Troopers assigned to 4th (Saber) Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment arrived prepared to start training with their North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies during Allied Spirit I in Hohenfels, Germany, Jan. 12, 2015.

As Exercise Allied Spirit I starts, Troopers will be expected to conduct multinational training to improve allied interoperability and cooperation with their NATO counterparts and for Cpl. William R. Whisnanz, a combat medic assigned to WarhorseTroop, it is a chance for his troopers to learn from their international colleagues.

“There’s a new group of Soldiers who have come in and want to be good medics but don’t have the proper training, so far,” said Whisnanz. “We are making sure that our medics learn what they need to, from basic medical care to loading their patients properly.”

With training taking place over a three week period, 2 CR will conduct many different kinds of operations such as platoon reconnaissance, calling for fire and medical evacuation, side-by-side with Soldiers from the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Canada.

“Having a chance to work, One-on-one, with other medics from different countries will be very beneficial to our guys,” said Whisnanz. “Being able to see how our counterparts operate will be an eye opener.”

In the coming weeks, Whisnanz along with the rest of Saber Squadron will have the ability to do just that as their unit, along with their NATO allies, will be going up against Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s Opposing Force in the final week of their training.

Staff Sgt. Alexander Anderson, a medical platoon sergeant for Warhorse Troop, is preparing his Troops for that very same obstacle.

“There will be what we like to call ‘notional casualties’, where Soldiers will be brought to us so the Troops can go through the steps of what would actually be done, per their injury card,” said Anderson. “We will also be providing real world support such as sick call and care for other injuries.”

As the pace of training starts to pick up, so does the concern for the health and welfare of all Troops involved.

“Safety is a major concern and providing medical support to a Squadron-sized element is important,” said Anderson. “We are trying to learn the jobs that we will be doing in a combat environment as well as provide real world care, so it is an ongoing mission.”

Having the ability to jump into different roles when needed is one of the many tools in the rucksack of a Dragoon. It helps them be at the top of their game when it comes to training, which they will need to be as their unit readiness and the ability to execute missions will be put to the test in the next few weeks.

• Date Taken: 01.17.2015
• Date Posted: 01.18.2015 04:19
• Story ID: 152219
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE
• Hometown: ALBANY, OR, US