Joint Live Fire Training with Allies in the Baltics

Photo By Pfc. James Dutkavich | U.S. Army Spc. Paul Romano, native of Garfield, NJ, Soldier assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and a Lithuanian Soldier communicate with their forces during a joint live fire exercise in Pabrade, Lithuania on August 11, 2016. The Soldiers from 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., involved in the exercise, are training with their Baltic allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. lead effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.  

RUKLA, LITHUANIA

08.11.2016

Story by Pfc. James Dutkavich 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

(RUKLA, LITHUANIA) –Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted a live fire exercise with their NATO allies August 11, 2016 in Rukla, Lithuania.

The training focused on U.S. and Polish forces working side by side to take an objective. Soldiers from both nations provided cover fire, supporting fire and conducted building clearing operations. Missions were conducted alongside M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Polish KTO Rosomak Armored Personnel Carriers, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

“It’s a really good chance for us to work with Bradley Fighting Vehicles and our allies at the same time. This is probably the best interoperability training we’ve done so far,” said Spc. Paul Romano, native of Garfield, NJ, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

The Soldiers from 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., involved in the exercise, are training with their Baltic allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. lead effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.

“I think it’s important to train with our allies so that we can build cohesion with them, to be able to work better together, and for things to flow better through our operations,” said Sgt. Seth Jarek, assigned to 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Johnny A. Evans Jr., commander of 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., and Lithuanian Col. Mindaugas Steponavicius, commander of Mechanized Infantry Iron Wolf Brigade, were in attendance to observe training and build relationships between their units.

“I think today went really well,” said Spc. Paul Romano, native of Garfield, NJ, assigned to 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., “it is the guys first time doing an air insertion on helicopters, they loved it, and clearly the Battalion Commander was impressed.”

• Date Taken: 08.11.2016
• Date Posted: 08.15.2016 12:02
• Story ID: 206996
• Location: RUKLA, LT