Anvil Company Preps for training in Bulgaria

Photo By Corinna Baltos | NOVO SELO TRAINIG AREA, Bulgaria – SPC Jonathan Cyr, Anvil Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment looks up from the hull of his tank July 21, 2016 as he gets ready to head out to the field with his company. The unit will spend 11-days in the field conducting platoon and company level situational training exercises (STX). 1st Bn., 64th Arm. Rgmt. is in Bulgaria in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.  

NOVO SELO , BULGARIA

07.21.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

NOVO SELO TRAINIG AREA, Bulgaria – The Soldiers of Anvil Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment have rolled out to the fields of Bulgaria, July 21, 2016 to conduct an 11-day field exercise consisting of platoon and company level situational training exercises (STX).

An STX is a scenario-driven, mission oriented exercise designed to train on either one collective task or a group of related tasks through practice. It involves a realistic military operation scenario, and is used for training, evaluation, and sustainment of task proficiency.

“We are going to train on force on force between each platoon, as well as defensive and offensive tactics, at both the platoon and company level,” said Sgt. Ruben Casiano, as he checked to make sure his squad’s MILES gear was working properly. MILES gear is a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System that uses lasers and blank cartridges to simulate battle.

The soldiers will spend the first half of the exercise focusing on platoon level operations, which will give them the chance to refine their standard operating procedures and tactics before moving on to company level operations.

One of the reasons the unit is able to do this type of training is because of their location in Bulgaria and the access they have been granted by the Bulgarian military to this training area.

“It’s great that we can train here,” said Capt. Samuel Herbert, company commander. “The Bulgarians have been very supportive of our efforts.” Herbert said that normally a unit his size would only get to conduct this type of training once or twice a year.

Anvil Company, along with the rest of the battalion, have been in Eastern Europe since March in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. During that time, the unit has participated in two multinational exercises, Operation Strike Back, in Bulgaria, and Operation Noble Partner, in Georgia, as well as numerous smaller training exercises. 1st Bn., 64th Arm. Rgmt. is scheduled to rotate back to Fort Stewart in September.

• Date Taken: 07.21.2016
• Date Posted: 07.24.2016 15:48
• Story ID: 204883
• Location: NOVO SELO , BG