Photo By Spc. Miguel Alvarez | Sgt. Victor William Pekah, an ammunition specialist, of the 592nd Ordnance Company out...... read more read more
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DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland – “In our unit, we have soldiers who work at hospitals, serve as police officers, work for oil companies, and we even have farmers and ranchers,” said Sgt. Victor William Pekah, an ammunition specialist assigned to the 592nd Ordnance Co., out of Billings, Montana.
Army Reserve Soldiers from the 592nd, are using a conglomeration of skills in support of Exercise Anakonda 2016, a Polish-led, multinational exercise running from June 7-17. Over 13,000 U.S. troops from the Active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard are participating in this exercise.
Pekah, a native of Worden, Montana, said Exercise Anakonda 2016 is an opportunity for soldiers in his company to come together to complete their assigned missions. The 592nd is tasked with transporting ammunition to various parts of Poland to support various multinational live fire training exercises.
The 592nd is in Poland in order to fine-tune their skills during annual training. Annual training, which usually takes place within the United States, said Pekah. He said for the younger soldiers, this is an experience they will never forget.
“I know that years down the line I will be able to better recall my skills because of the experience I’m having here,” said Spc. Samuel Clinton Posey, an ammunition specialist with the 592nd.
Posey, a native of Roscoe, Montana, mentioned he had never participated in a training exercise out of the U.S. with the Army, so he knows this will help younger soldiers like him gain a deeper understanding about their Army jobs.
Annual training usually serves as an opportunity for Army Reserve soldiers to get more in depth experience performing their jobs. For most, the training is usually held within the United States.
“When we first heard that our annual training might be in Poland, no one believed it,” said Posey, an ammunition specialist with the 592nd.
Posey said he is glad that his experience has become a reality because he can already see the growth from his unit. He said they are taking this opportunity to learn from their mistakes and become more confident leaders.
Pekah also said that he noticed the benefits in interoperability between the Polish and the U.S troops. He commented that they have been able to become close with some Polish soldiers during and after training for the day.
“They have been incredibly welcoming to us, and we now feel more comfortable working together,” said Pekah.
Overall, the experience for the 592nd at exercise Anakonda 2016 has served as a unique experience for a unit that travelled a long way to participate.
“Our bus ride from Billings to the Denver airport may have been longer than our actual flight from Newark to Europe, but this has definitely been worth it,” said Pekah.
Pekah said they have learned just how much they have in common with the Polish soldiers, and also brought together their soldiers some of who lives as far as North Dakota and Washington.
“These soldiers will take their knowledge not only into their Army careers, but they will also bring their Army discipline and leadership into their civilian lives as well,” said Pekah.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2016 05:05 |
| Story ID: | 201506 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 713 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, From Montana to Poland for an Army Reserve Unit, by SPC Miguel Alvarez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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