Polish paratroopers, US cavalry begin allied training

Photo By Sgt. Marcus Floyd | Soldiers from P Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, along with Polish soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade, participate in an opening ceremony July 2, 2015 in Nowa Deba, Poland. The Soldiers are participating in 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. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Marcus Floyd, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

NOWA DEBA, POLAND

07.02.2015

Story by Spc. Marcus Floyd 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NOWA DEBA, Poland - Soldiers from Poland's 6th Airborne Brigade and the U.S. Army's 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment marked the start of a new joint training rotation with an opening ceremony July 2, 2015, at the Nowa Deba Training Area in Poland.

The training is part of Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies. Aimed at ensuring stability across Europe, Atlantic Resolve is designed to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions.

“The main goal of this exercise is to train and build interoperability of our soldiers,” said Polish Brig. Gen. Adam Joks, commander of the 6th Airborne Brigade. “The 6th Airborne Brigade is dedicated to NATO. That's why we have to train together with our coalition partners, especially to build a common understanding of tactics, to check procedures, to prove our knowledge, and to exchange our experience between both armies.”

Over the course of three months, soldiers from both the U.S. and Polish armies will participate in various training exercises aimed at increasing their knowledge and experience with joint-military operations.

After traveling 690 kilometers from Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area to Nowa Deba in a Stryker convoy, the Soldiers of P Troop “Palehorse,” 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment eagerly await the opportunity to train alongside NATO allies.

“The troopers and paratroopers of Palehorse are anxious to being training,” said Army Capt. Kaleb Blankenship, P Troop commander. “We're excited to increase interoperability and continue to forge strong relationships by working side by side, shoulder to shoulder with the 6th Airborne Brigade through field training exercises, live fire exercises and airborne operations over the next three months.”

Along their journey to Nowa Deba, the soldiers were greeted with smiling faces and waving hands, he said.

Not only does this ceremony mark the beginning of training between Palehorse and the 6th Airborne Brigade, this week marks 18 years since NATO invited Poland to join its ranks.

“Our presence here demonstrates the United States' commitment to its allies and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and our mutual interest for regional stability,” Blankenship said. “Likewise, I would like to thank (the Polish soldiers) for (their) demonstrated commitment to NATO by hosting these military training exercises.”

Continuing in the tradition of joint operations, Atlantic Resolve will prove beneficial for the soldiers participating in the exercise.

“Working together will be beneficial all around,” Joks said. “I think the lessons learned by the soldiers of both armies will suit you well not just in training, but in real life situations in which you may find yourself in the future.”

• Date Taken: 07.02.2015
• Date Posted: 07.03.2015 08:06
• Story ID: 168971
• Location: NOWA DEBA, PL