NATO alliances conduct live fire

Photo By Sgt. Audrey Hayes | Pfc. Kyle Lund, from Forest Lake, Minn., and an M1A1 Abrams Tank driver with C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, collects empty shells after a live-fire exercise at a range near Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland. American Soldiers have been in Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of our continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine specifically. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Audrey Ann Hayes)  

ZLOCIENIEC, POLAND

11.13.2014

Story by Spc. Audrey Hayes    

214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ZLOCIENIEC, Poland -- Polish Soldiers joined the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, to train during a bi-lateral live-fire near Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Nov. 13, 2014.

The live-fire is a training exercise in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. Army Europe-led, multinational combined arms exercise involving the 1st Cav. and host nations, takes place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, to strengthen relationships among allied militaries, to contribute to regional stability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO.

Sgt. Orry Hammons, a Kingston, Oklahoma, native and a M1A2 Abrams Tank gunner with C. Company, 2nd. Bn. and 8th Cav., said not only are we reassuring our Polish allies, but they’re reassuring us as well.

“I feel very comfortable watching the accuracy of the Polish rocket teams,” he said.

The rocket teams are a dismounted three-person group. One man holds the rocket, one feeds the ammo, and the other provides security.

“They were dead on, from at least 400 meters away,” said Hammons.

“This may be our only chance for alliances to execute protocols and to know how other armies work in the field,” said 1st. Lt. Michal Nowak, an operations officer in the Polish Army. “It’s a great opportunity for our staff and for American Soldiers to exchange experiences.”

When it comes to exchanging experiences, Pfc. William Glidewell, from Charleston, Illinois, an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle driver also with C. Co. said this is his first time being out of the United States.

“A big thing that we usually do is, Polish and American Soldiers will trade patches; we give them our Cav. patches and a lot of us go for their sniper patches. It’s a hell of an experience and I just appreciate being able to come here and do this.”

• Date Taken: 11.13.2014
• Date Posted: 11.14.2014 09:23
• Story ID: 147847
• Location: ZLOCIENIEC, PL
• Hometown: CHARLESTON, IL, US
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US
• Hometown: KINGSTON, OK, US