NATO allies make a historic splash while working as a team

Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Dowland | Hungarian soldiers cross a river while demonstrating their military vehicle capability alongside their NATO allies, Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, while participating in a wet gap crossing exercise during the culmination of Dragoon Crossing, Gyor, Hungary, Sept. 17, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Dragoon Crossing involved moving dozens of Stryker Combat vehicles more than 800 kilometers across three NATO member countries and executing a tactical river crossing with the support and cooperation of every nation involved. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

GYOR, HUNGARY

09.17.2015

Story by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

GYOR, Hungary - The quiet rocking of the nearby boats in the water gathered into waves of frenzy as the military vehicles dove into the river, Soldiers mounted atop the Strykers as they carefully maneuvered the combat vehicles across the newly-built bridge to shore.

Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, currently stationed in Vilseck, Germany, joined their Hungarian military counterparts while participating in a wet gap crossing of the Moson-Danube River, during the culmination of the combined training exercise Dragoon Crossing, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, in Gyor, Hungary, Sept. 17.

The success of the exercise was a result of the hours of combined effort, planning and dedication on the part of both the American and Hungarian allies involved. The exercise provided the Soldiers from both nations with an opportunity to enhance NATO interoperability, build good will, and strengthen camaraderie with their fellow allies.

"It's wonderful to be here today, to witness the success of this exercise first-hand," said Colleen Bell, the United States Ambassador to Hungary, and a native of Evanston, Illinois. "This exercise is very important to our alliance, as it allows all involved to work together to improve our interoperability and capabilities."

The historic gap crossing, the first river crossing among American and European allies of its kind to occur since 1945, was the final event of the weeklong Dragoon Crossing exercise, which began Sept. 13, and consisted of cultural events and military training exercises designed to demonstrate freedom of movement across the allied borders.

"This exercise highlights the growth in the capabilities of our NATO partnership," said Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Daugherty, deputy commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division for Operation Atlantic Resolve. "Today demonstrates the outstanding capabilities of our NATO partners and the Hungarian military."

The event also contributed to the strengthening of the alliance between American Soldiers and the citizens and military personnel of their European counterparts, building strong bonds among friends working together to ensure the peace and stability of the region.

"We are excited, and we look forward to future interaction with our NATO partners," said Daugherty.

As the Strykers thundered on, headed to their next mission, the water stilled, betraying no signs of the coordinated chaos moments before. While there was no outward indication of the exercise that had just taken place as the water calmly lapped at the sides of the shore, the allied soldiers' newfound friendships and shared understanding resounded in the hearts and minds of all involved.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2015
• Date Posted: 09.17.2015 17:09
• Story ID: 176390
• Location: GYOR, HU
• Hometown: EVANSTON, IL, US