Polish brigade and U.S. squadron mark unit transitions in farewell ceremony

Courtesy Photo | Polish Soldiers from 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and U.S. Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 4th Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, present their respective flags during a farewell ceremony hosted by 10th ACB in Swietoszow, Poland, Jan. 22, held to bid farewell to the squadron, as they transition their operations to Grafenwoehr, Germany for scheduled training. (Polish Land Forces photo by Pvt. Natalia Wawrzyniak)  

ZAGAN, POLAND

01.25.2018

Story by Capt. Orlandon Howard 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

ZAGAN, Poland – Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, participated in a farewell ceremony, hosted by the Polish 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Swietoszow, Poland, Jan. 22, held to bid farewell to the squadron, as they transition their operations to Grafenwoehr, Germany for scheduled training.

The ceremony included a large formation of several battalions from 10th ACB, standing with 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.’s squadron elements. During the ceremony, they expressed their appreciation for one another by exchanging military coins and certificates as parting gifts.

Each commander also gave a speech with an added twist. In one of the last demonstrations of their respected partnership, both had one of their Soldiers read the translation of the opposite commander’s speech, in the other nation’s language.

“From the very beginning of our stay in Swietoszow, we concentrated on training, said Lt Col. James Maxwell, commander, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. It was a very intense period for us.

5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. spent much of their time at Swietoszow training to sustain their combat readiness alongside 10th ACB and other Polish military elements, while working to increase their understanding of their Polish counterparts, and the culture and communities they come from.

“This active, several-month cooperation resulted in a significant exchange of experience, and also brought mutual benefits in the form of mutual learning,” said Col. Dariusz Parylak, commander, 10th ACB.

“There are things that cannot be learned from books, and only the practical performance of tasks allows you to acquire specific skills.”

Maxwell expressed gratitude for the time his unit spent working with their Polish allies. “We met people here and created relationships that increased our ability to cooperate, and ensure stability in the region,” said Maxwell. All this would not be possible, if it were not for the 10th ACB, who cooperated with us and accepted us here as part of the team.

5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. will be replaced by a fellow battalion within their brigade, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, who will transfer their training and operations from Germany to Poland in February.

Parylak in his speech gave an early welcoming hail to the incoming battalion. “Soon, more Soldiers from the U.S. Army will come to us,” said Parylak. We are waiting for your replacements and I am convinced that what we have achieved so far will be continued.

Both battalions are combined-arms units, deployed as part of the second iteration of an armored brigade combat team to arrive to Europe under Atlantic Resolve for a nine-month rotation. A key part of their mission is providing a persistent presence across Europe, by routinely moving and massing for exercises and training events.

2nd ABCT’s headquarters is also scheduled to transition from Poland to Germany in the coming months to prepare for multinational exercise, Combined Resolve X, involving most of their battalions. 2nd ABCT will, nevertheless, continue their partnership and cooperation with Poland, as 2nd Bn., 70th Armor Regt. remains in Poland until the end of the rotation, and 2nd ABCT elements participating in the exercise, look to train in Germany under the division command of the Polish 12th Mechanized Infantry Division.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2018
• Date Posted: 01.25.2018 09:01
• Story ID: 263185
• Location: ZAGAN, PL