Kuwait Command and Staff College visits Buehring

Photo By Capt. Shaun Manley | Students and staff members of the Kuwait Command and Staff College visited 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Buehring, Kuwait Oct. 1, 2015. During the visit, members of the Iron Brigade conducted briefings and events that assisted in giving the students a better understanding of the mission and capabilities of a brigade combat team. (Photo by Capt. Shaun Manley/Released)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

10.01.2015

Story by Capt. Shaun Manley 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted their counterparts from the Kuwaiti Land Forces during a partnership and capabilities summit here Oct. 1.

The Kuwaiti Command and Staff College students and Iron Brigade Soldiers discussed readiness and capabilities throughout the day as they interacted at events that included small group presentations and equipment demonstrations.

“It’s good to see this unit conducting this event for us to learn how U.S. forces conduct operations,” said Maj. Adam Karabulut, a Turkish Army officer and Kuwait CSC student.

Upon arrival, the 171 visitors were greeted at the Warrior Tent where they received a welcome brief and introduction by Lt. Col. John Elrich, 3rd ABCT deputy commanding officer.

“The opportunity to work with the officers of the Kuwait Command and Staff College is a privilege for the brigade. The students are the best and the brightest from their countries and appreciate the partnership between Kuwait and the United States,” said Elrich. “Our noncommissioned and junior officers always represent the brigade with distinction.”

After dividing into small groups to allow more personal interaction, the students moved through four separate events set up by the Iron Brigade.

“From the time our partners arrived, I knew it was going to be a great event,” said Capt. Katreen Montefalcon, provost marshal, 3rd ABCT. “We worked extremely hard planning for a large number of guests and were excited to discuss our mission with them.”

At the Warrior Tent, Iron Brigade staff members discussed their daily duties and responsibilities and answered questions about operational planning and execution at the brigade level.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity to pass the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in the Army to our partner-nation’s military staff members and hope that it adds to their future successes,” said Master Sgt. John Call, senior enlisted logistician, 3rd ABCT.

The brigade’s tactical operations center, was a popular location for the visitors who received a tour of the facility and a briefing on mission command and battle tracking systems.

“The visiting officers had spent the last week discussing land component operations, so showing how our brigade combat team conducts mission command was relevant to their coursework,” said Capt. Robert Fenoglio, chief of operations, 3rd ABCT.

Inside the maintenance bay, a M88 “Hercules” Recovery Vehicle provided the students the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to learning as they climbed on and in it while listening to the briefings given by BCT mechanics and logisticians.

“It’s one thing to study doctrine at a higher level but makes it better to get close to the equipment and see it from the lower level perspective,” said Maj. Fahad Al’ Mansoor, student of the Kuwaiti CSC and Bahrain Defense Force staff member.

A visit with an armored brigade combat team would not be complete without seeing M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Artillery Cannons.

The Iron Brigade Soldiers set up an interactive display for each of these vehicles and provided information on their capabilities and how the weapon systems are best employed.

Prayer, a meal together, a gift exchange between the military partners and friends ended the day’s events.

”It’s a good sharing of experience between everyone involved,” said Anwar Al’ Awadh, Kuwaiti Land Forces member and CSC instructor. “Everyone enjoyed learning about U.S. operational planning and equipment.”

As the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team continues its partnership mission in support of U.S. Army Central, the Soldiers continue building on their level of sustainable readiness as an expeditionary-ready force.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2015
• Date Posted: 10.05.2015 04:45
• Story ID: 178084
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW