Photo By Staff Sgt. Megan Leuck | Spc. Shawn Betschart (right) of 3rd Platoon, Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd...... read more read more
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PABRADE TRAINING AREA, Lithuania –Troopers assigned to Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment partnered up with Lithuanian soldiers assigned to 3rd Company, Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, for a combined field training exercise in Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, Feb. 24-26, 2015.
Over a course of 72 hours, both Dragoons and Lithuanian Soldiers conducted continuous offensive, defensive and stability operations during their continued support and involvement in Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“The partner training here is to develop interoperability,” said Capt. Russell Moore, Lightning Troop commander. “That’s to show that we can, not only train, but also work and fight together.”
Operation Atlantic Resolve demonstrates and assures NATO Allies that the United States is committed to continuously providing support in the region, to include Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
Throughout the field training exercise, platoons from both, Lightning Troop and 3rd Company, were paired together to work as a team while sharing procedures and tactics to accomplish their mission. There were a total of six partnered platoons.
“We are real glad that you guys are here and we can conduct operations together,” said 1st Lt. Evaldas Milkintas, 3rd Company executive officer. “It’s a real good opportunity to share any information and differences between your Soldiers and Lithuanian soldiers.”
During the course of the training, U.S. and Lithuanian platoon leaders planned and coordinated an attack against opposing forces, using their Troops to secure a cluster of buildings. Simultaneously, another platoon would establish a defensive position and conduct reconnaissance patrols. Finally, a third platoon would conduct stability operations that included securing an operating base and manning, both, observation towers and an access control point. All platoons would have to defend their positions and react to contact, if they were attacked throughout the scenarios.
For 2nd Lt. Lloyd Abigania of 1st Platoon, this was his first training exercise where he performed the role of a platoon leader.
“I felt excited to do what I’ve been training to do for the past four years,” said Abigania.
The exercise proved to benefit both Dragoons and Lithuanian soldiers as there was much that could be gained from one another.
“They reflect our doctrine but have different procedures based on their area of operations,” said Abigania.
Moore concurred with Abigania but also commented on the potential of the U.S. and Lithuania successfully working together.
“We understand each other’s systems, capabilities and limitations,” said Moore. “We understand how to communicate with each other.”
The two companies were first introduced in January when they participated in an integrated cold-weather training event hosted by their Lithuanian counterparts.
“I believe they’ve worked fantastically together,” said Moore. “The training plan was to start with team and squad level collective training, afterwards, moving up into platoon and Troop level.”
This is Lightning Troop’s first deployment to Lithuania in a training capacity and many hope that it is not the last.
“This has been one of the best training events we’ve had,” said Moore. “We’ve grown together as a Troop and every system has gotten better.”
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2015 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 155720 |
| Location: | PABRADE, LT |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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