British Army cadets join US 173rd Airborne Brigade in Germany

Photo By Spc. Brett Hurd | British officer cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst joined U.S. Army paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade during various combined arms demonstrations and live fire events, here March 12, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brett Hurd)  

GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

03.13.2015

Courtesy Story

173rd Airborne Brigade

By 2nd Lt. Steven R. Siberski

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – British Army officer cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst joined U.S. Army paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade during various combined arms demonstrations and live fire events, here March 12, 2015.

The paratroopers from 1st Battalion are currently executing a multitude of training operations in preparation for several multinational training events throughout Europe. As the U.S Army’s contingency response force in Europe, the 173rd provides ready troops to deploy within 18 hours, anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

The Sandhurst cadets are conducting their culminating training events after spending the past year in training to become commissioned officers in the British Army.

The American paratroopers invited the cadets to observe a combined arms live fire demonstration and to fire the M320 grenade launcher at one of the ranges in Grafenwoehr.

In return, the instructors from Sandhurst invited the Americans to witness their final live fire platoon attack.

“It is very important for our cadets to have this cross pollination because the U.S. and the U.K. have always been the strongest of allies”, said British Army Maj. Ellis Harverson, chief instructor of the Dismounted Close Combat Wing at Sandhurst. “It’s good for the American Soldiers to see how we develop our officers in order to strengthen our already excellent ties going into the future.”

By continuing to work, train, and learn from each other, both American and British forces continue toward the goal of improved interoperability between the two nations.

“It’s important for the cadets to come out and witness a platoon live fire so they can see what the future holds for them as leaders and see what their counterparts are doing as platoon leaders in the American Army,” said 1st Sgt. David Dzwik, the senior enlisted adviser from Company B, 1st Battalion. “Sandhurst is producing quality leaders who will be fighting right next to us. Their live-fire event was as realistic as you could get and these cadets did a very good job making sound decisions.”

After the conclusion of training, the cadets will return to England, ready to graduate and commission as officers.

“As allies, we are strong together” said Dzwik. “This kind of exposure reinforces our partnership and solidifies our relationship as we move into the future.”

• Date Taken: 03.13.2015
• Date Posted: 03.17.2015 06:51
• Story ID: 157174
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE