When the 'Steel Knights' call for German mortar fire

Photo By Erich Backes | U.S. Soldiers assigned to 39th Transportation Company, 16th Sustainment Brigade, Baumholder, Germany, had the opportunity to train with German paratroopers assigned to Fallschirmjaegerbattaillon 263 from Zweibruecken, Germany. The training took place on Ranges 21 and 35, Baumholder Military Training Area. Soldiers had the opportunity to observe the use of indirect fire in support of a dismounted paratrooper platoon attacking an objective from an observation bunker, as well as being on the firing line to see the weapon system being operated. (Photo taken by Erich Backes, VI Specialist, TSC Baumholder/ Released)  

BAUMHOLDER, RP, GERMANY

12.03.2014

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

By 1st Lt. Michael Knight
39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – Transportation Soldiers from the 16th Sustainment Brigade’s 39th Transportation Company learned to call for German mortar support Dec. 3 at a mortar training exercise on the Baumholder Main Training Area.

Officers and noncommissioned officers from the 263rd Fallschirmajäger (Paratrooper) Battalion based out of Zweibrücken, discussed capabilities, accurate plotting, radio protocol and taught U.S. Soldiers how to handle ammunition, hanging rounds in the mortar tubes and sending teams on fire missions.

“The operation allowed me to see the lag time between the call for fire and what occurs behind the scenes while understanding the time frame required to use these assets,” said Pfc. Christopher Melton, a heavy vehicle driver from the 51st Transportation Company.

German army 1st Lt. Mario Grathwohl, a mortar platoon leader from the 263rd Battalion said, “This is a great experience. In Afghanistan, we worked closely with some American units and training with them provides us the experience to hone those skills.”

The 263rd’s forward observers drew from experience and designed the training scenario for U.S. Soldiers to learn from realistic combat training and gain feedback.

“Knowing our profession, these skills that are taught really stick with our Soldiers when they can do hands-on training as well,” said Sgt. Sione Loketi from the 51st Transportation Company. “As Soldiers, we must be both physically and mentally ready, working with our allies helps us ensure success.”

The 51st Transportation Company provides logistics support throughout U.S. Army Europe, and they focus to train Soldiers for tactical situations.

Despite the cold weather, Soldiers from both nations kept high spirits. Soldiers even competed in a friendly push-up competition while waiting for the foggy weather to improve visibility.

As the training ended, Soldiers from both nations looked forward to training opportunities. Both parties exchanged handshakes and unit patches to the promise of a close relationship for future operations.

• Date Taken: 12.03.2014
• Date Posted: 02.25.2015 09:44
• Story ID: 155337
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, RP, DE