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    Chaos in the trenches

    Chaos in the trenches

    Photo By Sgt. Shiloh Capers | U.S. Soldiers of Company C. (Chaos), 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored...... read more read more

    TAPA, Estonia — Company C. (Chaos), 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a company level combined training exercise with their Estonian Allies on Kukepalu range in Estonia, March 23.

    Operation Golden Shovel, an exercise under Operation Atlantic Resolve, featured three separate engagements against an enemy in a fortified, defensive position.

    Operation Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. led NATO endeavor to ensure peace by deterring aggressive actions in the region.

    On Tuesday, the trenches were dug and sandbags formed walls and bunkers.

    Wednesday, Estonian reconnaissance company Alpha Coy, Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade were responsible for conducting a deliberate reconnaissance of each battle position, how the enemy was composed on the battlefield, and where obstacles to raid were, said Capt. Edward Bachar, commander of Chaos Company, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.

    "We relied heavily on our partnership with the reconnaissance company to help paint the picture of what the enemy would look like here on this objective," said Bachar. "Now having seen and fought here, they were very accurate."

    Chaos Company planned their assault on the enemy using terrain analysis and the information given to them by the reconnaissance company.

    At 0900 Thursday, Kukepalu range became a battleground as weapons were fired and flares rocketed into the air. Estonian Defence Forces shouted commands and maneuvered through the trenches as they defended their positions.

    U.S. Army Soldiers rolled in with Bradleys and M1 Abrams tanks from the north, repelled from helicopters and progressed on foot across the terrain from the south.

    Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Stroklund, platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, Company C., 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., provided support by fire for dismounts assaulting the trench from the south. Communications from dismounts within the trench lines relayed troop movement so the Bradley shifted fire as the forward line progressed.

    These exercises provide advantages for both U.S. and Estonian forces, said Sgt. 1st Class Stroklund.

    It helps U.S. units train on tactics, techniques and procedures for fighting a light force heavily defended with anti-armor assets. It helps Estonians forces if they ever have to fight some sort of armored force, to develop their techniques as well, Stroklund said.

    "It's important to train with our Estonian Allies because [to build] interoperability so we can mesh right in with them," Stroklund said. "They could sit in the trench right next to us and we know exactly what they're gonna do. They know what we're gonna do [and] It really makes us an effective fighting force together."


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    U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51st country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnership and enhance global security.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.23.2017
    Date Posted: 03.24.2017 04:30
    Story ID: 227883
    Location: EE

    Web Views: 99
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN