Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Dowland | Capt. Brent B. Beadle, from A Co., 80th Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs...... read more read more
SLIVEN, Bulgaria- Despite having home bases thousands of miles away, the two forces sat side-by-side at the table, hashing out ways to better the nearby community. The brainstorming session allowed the counterparts the opportunity to come together as one united team, combining similarities while learning from one another's differences.
Soldiers from A Co., 80th Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, from Ft. Bliss, Texas , joined the 6th Brigade Battle Group, civil-military cooperation as they conducted a civil engagement with the Sliven Municipality, Sliven, Bulgaria, June 16, to determine feasibility of establishing a NATO maintenance support area in the vicinity of Sliven, during Kabile 15, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
As the two civil affairs teams worked together to discuss economic data with the Director for the Unemployed Labor Department, the meeting represented a first for both the Bulgarian and American armies.
"This is the first time that American and Bulgarian civil-military cooperation teams have done real world missions directed by a Bulgarian higher," said Capt. Brent B. Beadle, a civil affairs officer, and a native of Swansboro, N.C. "This gives us the opportunity to understand each other's capabilities, and also to interoperate within the Bulgarian Army and under Bulgarian supervision so we can learn about how they operate, their culture, techniques, tactics, and doctrine."
If approved, the establishment of a NATO maintenance support area in Sliven will employ approximately 50 citizens of the Sliven vicinity, decreasing unemployment for Bulgarians in the area while increasing the quality of life for the citizens and their families.
"Change starts right here," said Beadle. "I'm excited about providing job opportunities here because this is Bulgarians and Americans working together as a team to do what's best for Bulgaria."
Despite the newness of the interoperability between the two NATO allies, the civil-military cooperation teams demonstrated a willingness to learn from one another as they set aside their differences to work effectively as one for the potential benefit of the Bulgarian people.
"One of the things we've both learned is patience, and being able to look at each other's capabilities and apply them even if they're unfamiliar to us," said Beadle.
"We've learned that the United States civil affairs puts an emphasis outside of the United States, while the Bulgarian civil affairs is geared a lot towards Bulgaria," said Beadle. "I've been learning how to do more in-country, such as support of administration and governance, and also nation assistance."
The Bulgarian Army also appreciates the benefits and growth that come with change and an opening of minds to new ways.
"This is a new experience for us, but we are adapting to one another's way of work to create a better civil affairs team amongst us," said Capt. Milen Radanov, Tactical Group Commander, 6BBG civil-military cooperation team, Bulgarian Army, and a native of Razgrad, Bulgaria.
While the meeting melded ideas and ways to obtain advancement for all involved, the allies established a strong and lasting trust during the engagement.
"I trust the American civil affairs team to have our back as we work together, now and in the future," said Radanov.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2015 06:38 |
| Story ID: | 167262 |
| Location: | SLIVEN, BG |
| Web Views: | 382 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Working Together to Contribute to the Greater Good for the Bulgarian People, by SPC Jacqueline Dowland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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