The start of something great

Photo By Sgt. Marcus Floyd | U.S., Polish and French soldiers gather for the opening ceremony of Puma 15, a multinational training exercise, May 11, 2015, at Camp Konotop, Poland. The two-week exercise, involving armored and mechanized infantry units, is part of Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies, whose mission is the continued peace and stability of Europe.  

CAMP KONOTOP, POLAND

05.12.2015

Story by Spc. Marcus Floyd 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP KONOTOP, Poland - U.S., Polish and French soldiers gathered for the opening ceremony of Puma 15, a multinational training exercise, May 11, 2015, at Camp Konotop, Poland.

Part of Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies, Puma 15 is a two-week training exercise involving armored and mechanized infantry units.

There to greet the combined forces at the opening ceremony was Polish Col. Piotr Bieniek, deputy commander of Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade.

“I am delighted that so many professionals from individual countries will be working together, shoulder by shoulder,” he said. “This is a landmark achievement.”

Puma 15 is just one in a number of exercises taking place in Poland between U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and their NATO allies.

“I am 100 percent sure in the end we will have success, because everybody is fully trained, highly motivated and dedicated to achieving the highest goals,” said Bieniek. “The Polish armed forces, therefore, highly appreciate the commitment of the French and American detachments.”

In addition to the Polish forces appreciating the presence of NATO allies, the American Soldiers appreciate the opportunity to participate in this training exercise.

“Every one of my Soldiers knows just how rare it is to execute a training like this,” said Capt. Erik Hamilton, the company commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “To be able to go out with our NATO partners and execute the kind of training which requires an immense amount of resources is very rare, and everyone knows that and realizes that. I think everyone feels lucky they got the opportunity to execute this training.”

With so many different countries participating in Atlantic Resolve, such as the U.S., Poland and France, it's important to understand the capabilities of each army.

“Operations like Puma 15 allow each country to see what that country brings to the fight,” Hamilton said. “We'll be able to see what France and Poland bring to the fight, and they'll be able to see what we bring to the fight, and we'll all have a better understanding of what we can execute because of it.”

Although Puma 15 is the first in a long list of training exercises, Hamilton is certain the hard work will pay off in the end.

“We will absolutely be one of the best trained tank companies in the world at the end of this training, and there's no question about that,” he said.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2015
• Date Posted: 05.12.2015 11:16
• Story ID: 163025
• Location: CAMP KONOTOP, PL
• Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US