Multinational weapons range expands Soldiers’ horizons

Photo By Sgt. Hubert Delany | 1st Lt. George Jowi (left), platoon leader with 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, teaches Pvt. Arlette Galindo (right), Combat Engineer assigned to Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, how to fire the Romanian army “Cugir” Pistol during a multinational weapons range with Battle Group Poland at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, on May 8, 2018. Battle Group Poland is a unique, multinational coalition of U.S., U.K., Croatian and Romanian Soldiers who serve with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade as a deterrence force in support of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III /22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

BEMOWO PISKIE , POLAND

05.16.2018

Story by 2nd Lt. Robert Bannon 

2d Cavalry Regiment

Soldiers from Storm Battery, Croatian military, Blue Scorpions Battery, Romanian military and the 15th Mechanized Brigade, Polish military, hosted a multinational weapons range at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, May 8 - 9, 2018.

The training played a critical role in the Battle Group Poland’s broader initiative to educate Soldiers on its allies’ capabilities. Soldiers were afforded the opportunity to familiarize themselves with an array of foreign weapon systems and test their ability to fire those systems.

“We were very excited about this exchange because, for many of the Americans, it was the first time that they got to touch and shoot our weapons,” said 1st Lt. Peter Cazacu, public affairs officer, Blue Scorpions Battery.

The weapons that they qualified on included the Romanian military’s “Cugir” pistol and “Pistol Mitraliera” assault rifle, the Croatian military’s VHS-2K assault rifle and the Polish military’s PKM machine gun and Sako TRG sniper rifle.

Pfc. Mitchell Studebaker, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, demonstrated his adaptability by qualifying on the Polish PKM machine gun, the equivalent of the U.S. Army’s M240 machine gun. The Polish Soldiers were impressed by his proficiency, which he attests to rigorous training.

“It’s important that we understand how to wield and manipulate our allies’ weapon systems, especially if we’re willing to fight alongside each other,” said Studebaker. “The range was an exciting way to put all of this talk about interoperability into action. It increased my confidence and added a new skill to my tool set.”

Tightening international bonds, the Battle Group set the tone for its participation in the upcoming Saber Strike 18 multinational exercise scheduled to take place next month.

• Date Taken: 05.16.2018
• Date Posted: 05.16.2018 16:14
• Story ID: 277206
• Location: BEMOWO PISKIE , PL