‘Fighting Eagles’ prepare equipment for future training

Photo By Sgt. Devone Collins | Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct motor pool operations after receiving equipment at Mihail Kogaliniceanu Airbase, February 17th, 2017. The 1-8 Inf. Reg is in Romania and Bulgaria to conduct training with both nations armies. 3-4 ABCT's arrival marks the start of back-to-back rotations of armored brigades in Europe as part of Atlantic Resolve. This rotation will enhance deterrence capabilities in the region, improve the U.S. ability to respond to potential crises and defend allies and partners in the European community. U.S. forces will focus on strengthening capabilities and sustaining readiness through bilateral and multinational training and exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Devone Collins)  

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA

02.17.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment "Fighting Eagles", 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted maintenance on their vehicles Feb 17.

“Initially getting into country, the tempo has been pretty fast,” said 1st Lt. Jesse Torres. 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt. “As soon as we got here, our equipment got here.”

The Soldiers, nearly 350 of them, with another 150 set to arrive by the end of the month, are in Romania in support of Atlantic Resolve. The first shipment of equipment arrived here Feb. 14.

“We immediately downloaded the equipment and pushed it into our motor pool,” said Torres. “In just two days, we established our motor pool.”

After establishing their motor pool, the Soldiers began conducting maintenance on their vehicles, which include M1 Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M88 repair vehicles and Humvees.

“Today, we are conducting maintenance on our vehicles and doing any repairs to make sure we are combat proficient and ready to train here in Romania,” said Sgt. Anthony Lima, 1st Bn. 8th Inf. Regt.

While the entire brigade is in Europe conducting bilateral multinational training with allies in various countries around Europe, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt. will focus on training with Romanian and Bulgarian land forces. In March, one of the companies will move down to Novo Selo Training Area in Bulgaria.

"We are so excited to begin integrating with the Romanian army and begin training with our Allied partners," said Maj. Michael Harrison, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment operations officer during the offload. "Living and working alongside our allies daily will build confidence in our ability to operate as one team if we're ever called to respond immediately to any crisis."

The Fighting Eagles will participate in many training exercises while deployed including the multinational Saber Guardian 17 exercise in July.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2017
• Date Posted: 02.17.2017 09:43
• Story ID: 223952
• Location: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO