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    Cooperation and Can DO, Exercise Saber Guardian

    Exercise Saber Guardian 2016

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Omelina | Sgt. 1st Class Clayton Felton, a motor sergeant, with the 1-163rd Combined Arms...... read more read more

    CINCU, ROMANIA, ROMANIA

    07.29.2016

    Story by Staff Sgt. Edward Omelina 

    115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    CINCU, Romania -- A medic, an armorer, and a motor sergeant are on top of a Bradley… This may sound like the start of an old yarn, but in Cincu, Romania during exercise Saber Guardian it is an opportunity for Soldiers to cross train skills and gain experience outside of their primary specialty while working with our allies.

    Sgt. 1st Class Clayton Felton, a motor sergeant with 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion, Montana Army National Guard, is leading this small team while they replace the engine in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. His volunteer maintenance team is preparing U.S. Army National Guard vehicles that travelled by ship and rail from the United States for exercise Saber Guardian.

    “The ground gets soft and working on the hill is a challenge. We have to jack the tracks up so they’re level when we change the pack. Other than that life’s good and there is plenty of work to do,” said Felton.

    Felton has been in Romania since May and will continue to support the maintenance effort throughout the exercise. Felton and his team will inspect the tanks, mechanized, and wheeled vehicles that will be used in the multinational exercise.

    “I volunteered to help the mechanics because it’s a way to stay busy and still be available as a medic,” said Spc. Jade Parsons, a medic with 116th Brigade Support Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard. “We get to drive brads and tanks. Usually I just get to bounce around in the back.”

    Armored vehicles are made to be serviced and repaired easily, but everything on an armored vehicle is heavy, which is why Soldiers like Parsons are a welcome addition to Sgt. 1st Class Felton’s service and repair team.

    “I have only known Sergeant Felton for about 3 weeks-- he knows what he is doing and he makes sure I understand what he wants,” said Parsons. U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers, like Parsons will train alongside their counterparts from Romania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine.

    “He’s a good NCO, he takes his time to explain stuff and he doesn’t get frustrated if you screw it up,” said Spc. Devin Marshal, a small arms artillery repairer with 116th Brigade Support Battalion. Marshal, who was looking for an opportunity to do something different, volunteered to support exercise Saber Guardian. For him, Saber Guardian is a unique opportunity to work with Soldiers from nine other nations.

    “It’s hard to put into words. I like to help people and the guard gives me a sense of duty. I love the army and I love being out here,” said Parsons.

    “Let’s get this thing buttoned up,” said Felton as he directs the lowering of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle engine cover.

    Felton, Parsons, and Marshal are part of exercise Saber Guardian advance party, which is responsible for receiving all of the vehicles that were shipped from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and South Carolina. Exercise Saber Guardian is a multinational exercise under U.S. European Command’s Joint Exercise Program. It is designed to enhance joint, combined interoperability with Allied and partner nations. Saber Guardian 2016 supports interoperability between Romania, the United States, NATO Allies and Partnership for Peace nations.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.29.2016
    Date Posted: 07.29.2016 09:43
    Story ID: 205445
    Location: CINCU, ROMANIA, RO

    Web Views: 559
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN