Freezing temperatures can't stop 2-8 Cav. Reg. in Lithuania

Photo By Alexandra Shea | M1 Abrams tanks travel across a frozen tank trail to the Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania on Dec. 1, 2020. The tanks and crews are a part of 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division who recently arrived to support Lithuanian land forces in interoperability missions and as a deterrent to foreign aggressors.  

PABRADE, LITHUANIA

12.01.2020

Story by Sgt. Alexandra Shea 

319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

PABRADE, Lithuania – As the sun started to peak above frozen tree tops, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were met by Lithuanian rail operators to execute the task of getting M1 Abrams tanks, HMMWVs and other tactical military vehicles off rail cars on Dec. 1, 2020, outside the Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania.

“This means we're here and ready to get to work,” said Sgt. Maj. Nathanael Green, the regiment's operations sergeant major. “The wind here cuts right through you but the Troopers did great.”

As the vehicles rolled down the ramps from the rail cars, it marked the beginning of the battalion's nine-month rotation to conduct interoperability missions with U.S. partners and allies to aid the deterrence of foreign threats.

“It was nerve-racking driving the tank off the rail in reverse,” said Spc. Devin Weber of Bravo Company, 2-8 Cav. Reg.

Weber, along with around 20 fellow Troopers, slowly drove the vehicles off the rail cars and staged them in neat rows to begin the process of fueling and convoying to the training area.

While the process appeared to be slow going, it was by design.

“It's all about keeping our Troopers safe,” said 2-8 Cav. Reg. Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Pena. “We are guests here [in Lithuania] and need to be good stewards while we are here.”

Even the smallest amount of mechanical fluids that were left behind at the rail head site or training site motor pool were collected either by a drip pan or removal of contaminated soil. Contaminated material was then placed in designated areas for proper disposal to ensure the surrounding environment remains healthy.

The day was considered a success.

“There were no injuries,” Greene said. “I'm proud of every single Trooper out there.”

As the main body flights of the battalion's Troopers begin filtering in, 2-8 Cav. Reg. stands ready to begin training and working alongside Lithuanian and other partner and allied nation forces.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2020
• Date Posted: 12.04.2020 08:11
• Story ID: 384192
• Location: PABRADE, LT
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US