Photo By Capt. Matthew Gilbert | Staff Sgt. Ben Bentley, Maj. Neil Bevan, and Maj. Phil Ord, soldiers with the British...... read more read more
NOVO SELO, Bulgaria – The British and United States Army convene in June and July of 2016 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria to discuss next year’s phase of Resolute Castle, a multi-year military construction project designed to increase military infrastructure in Eastern Europe.
Unlike other military operations in Eastern Europe which focus on joint interoperability between foreign militaries Resolute Castle focuses on the improvement of current military bases and training areas. These improvement efforts stretch through the countries of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Estonia and will allow for joint military training exercises throughout the area for years to come.
The planning was led by Maj. Neil Bevan, Maj. Phil Ord and Staff Sgt. Ben Bentley, senior military engineers with the British Army. They brought with them more than 90 years of experience and a desire to continue Resolute Castle in Eastern Europe in order to promote regional security, boost local economies, and increase military infrastructure.
“We spent this time planning for Operation Resolute Castle 2017, where we plan on going to Cincu, Romania,” stated Bevan. “We accomplished what we came to do. The only thing left is to go over our individual tasks.”
Bevan is a Staff Officer 2 Reserve with the 12 [Force Support] Engineer Group based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, UK. Ord and Bentley specialize in training and planning with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers [Militia]. Once their planning is complete, they will lead British Army Reserve soldiers during next year’s military construction Overseas Training Exercise.
Ord, in his own words, is “a stunningly efficient and handsome bloke, standard comedian,” but his sarcastic nature belies his incredible resume. During his 36 years with the British Army, he has worked his way through all of the soldier ranks and now holds the impressive rank of Major. His years in the British Army have led to a variety of specialties.
“When I was a soldier I was a plumber by trade, but did everything from paratrooper to combat engineer,” stated Ord.
This type of flexibility is typical in the British Army. Ord explained that flexibility is paramount, stressing that his forces should be capable horizontal and vertical construction engineers, combat engineers, and more. In addition to horizontal and vertical construction these units can do bridging, mine laying and mine clearance, water supply, and conduct explosive ordinance disposal as well as search for munitions/IEDs.
This isn’t the first time these British soldiers have worked with the United States military. All three deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq to support the War on Terror.
Bentley’s career is very interesting – not just where the British Army has taken him to, but where it has taken him from. He enlisted in the British Army from Fiji in order to travel the world and to have a military career.
“when you view the world map, Fiji is a dot and it could be difficult finding it,” explains Bentley. “I was excited to have an opportunity to join the British Army.”
The planning conference, overall, was a success.
1st Lt. Gregory Bishop, military police and communications officer, 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, worked as the liaison between the British and the United States Army.
“It was pretty good to meet them and serve as the liaison for the British Army. Our whole purpose here is training,” said Bishop, who will be in Bulgaria for months overseeing military construction and planning for future construction on training bases.
To address an important piece of the planning puzzle, Col. James Kyle, medical planning officer, Medical Command, Tennessee Army National Guard, worked with the British Army on how to treat medical issues for future operations, including injuries caused by insects, snakes, wildlife, and heat.
“It was a great opportunity to work with the British on the medical planning for Resolute Castle 2017,” said Kyle. “It was interesting to get to visit the job sites with Staff Sgt. Bentley and to compare how our services accomplish the military construction and the medical support missions.”
“Our ability to train with our allies is a large asset,” stated Bishop. “I am confident that this training conference will allow for us to accomplish our goals for Operation Resolute Castle 2017.”
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.15.2016 03:30 |
| Story ID: | 204037 |
| Location: | NOVO SELO, BG |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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