6-8 CAV completes training rotation with battalion STX

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Onuoha | YAVORIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian mortarmen prepare mortar rounds during battalion situational training exercise here, September 21, 2016. Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division are here in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. JMTG-U focuses on building a sustainable and enduring training capacity and capability within the Ukrainian land forces. (U.S.Army photo by Spc. John Onuoha / Released)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

09.22.2016

Story by Spc. John Onuoha 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. John Onuoha, 6-­8 CAV., 2IBCT UPAR

YAVORIV, Ukraine -­ The Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted a battalion fire support coordination exercise, which marked the completion of their first training rotation with the Ukrainian land forces here, September 21.

The fire support coordination exercise integrated maneuver planning with an artillery, mortar, and rocket live fire. They simulated various scenarios to help improve their coordination and effectiveness when working together as a larger element in combat.

“That is the importance of the battalion FSCX or any higher-level of training like that,” Staff. Sgt. Joshua McDaniel, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the exercise said. “So you know the pieces work together or you identify shortcomings, so that you can fix those to where it will work together.”

According to McDaniel, the Ukraine Soldiers responded positively to the exercise. They integrated previous skills with the tactics they were taught by the Mustangs to successfully complete the exercise.

“The training was a success and the Soldiers gave us a gift as a sign of their appreciation,” McDaniel said. He also added that it was fun working with the Ukrainians and appreciated their partnership.

Over the past 55 days of training, 6-8 CAV focused on individual and collective skills for both 1st Battalion 93rd Mechanized Brigade and Ukrainian instructors who will eventually assume the overall responsibility for the training. They will take a short break to reset and assess the previous rotation before starting again in October.

6­-8 CAV is deployed in support of Joint Multinational Training Group-­Ukraine whose mission focuses on building a sustainable and enduring training capacity and capability within the Ukrainian land forces. Although this was 6-8 CAV’s first rotation, it marked the fourth completed rotation for JMTG-U this year.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2016
• Date Posted: 09.23.2016 10:35
• Story ID: 210411
• Location: YAVORIV, UA