173rd paratroopers conduct ‘Unified Passage’ from Italy to Estonia

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army paratrooper Cpt. Thad Wilson, center, and 2nd Lt. Ezekiel Rangel, right, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade speak with a Lithuanian military police June 3, 2015, during a convoy crossing. The convoy demonstrated freedom of maneuver along NATO interior lines, close cooperation within the Alliance, and prepared the 173rd Airborne to assume mission command of Atlantic Resolve North in June in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Steven Siberski)  

KRAKOW, POLAND

06.09.2015

Courtesy Story

173rd Airborne Brigade

KRAKOW, Poland – Paratroopers from Gamble Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted a ground convoy across Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania Latvia, and Estonia, June 1-9, 2015, to transport equipment and vehicles required for their deployment to Atlantic Resolve.

The convoy demonstrated freedom of maneuver capabilities along NATO interior lines. Gamble Company successfully moved supplies and essential equipment that for upcoming multinational exercises.

“The importance of this exercise is to affirm NATO’s ability to quickly and efficiently move personnel and equipment across international boundaries in Eastern Europe,” said Capt. Thaddeus Wilson, Gamble Company commander. “We are demonstrating NATO’s readiness to defend the alliance.”

A total of 32 military vehicles containing supplies, fuel and equipment traveled a total of 1,949 miles during the convoy.

In order to secure the routes ahead and coordinate movement with host nation counterparts, the 173rd Airborne joined with the 554th Military Police Company based in Stuttgart, Germany, to escort the convoy to their final destination in Estonia.

“After securing and coordinating countless border crossings throughout NATO, we have realized one thing; in the face of every imaginable barrier, be it language, time or bureaucracy, NATO puts its allies before its differences,” said 1st Lt. Steven Dowell of the 554th MP.

Border crossing required planning and close partnership with NATO allies, another benefit to paratroopers and Soldiers in the planning and execution of the convoy.

“We were able to cross every border without issue, and that is a testament to the excellent cooperation between our allies,” said Dowell.

While resting in Krakow, Poland, as guests of the 6th Polish Airborne Brigade, the paratroopers received a cultural day to explore the city. Several paratroopers also conducted a staff ride to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

“Having this opportunity for our younger paratroopers really broadens their knowledge of logistics and culture, and allows them to understand the level of coordination that goes into planning and executing a convoy across Europe,” said company 1st Sgt. Shelby Reed. “We need our future leaders to see the interaction with our host-nation allies. In order for them to carry this alliance into the future, they need to understand how crucial these relationships are towards mission success.”

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of deploying ready forces across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibility in 18 hours or less.

• Date Taken: 06.09.2015
• Date Posted: 06.10.2015 16:35
• Story ID: 166160
• Location: KRAKOW, PL