IRONHORSE brings Cavalry Tradition to Lithuania

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Cavalry troopers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, and Belgian Military Police work together to pull two heavy-vehicle tow bars on a lane, while answering history questions about 2-8 Cav Reg in Pabrade, Lithuania May 6, 2021. U.S. troopers and NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup soldiers worked as a team throughout the 40-hour Spur Ride event to earn their spurs. (Courtesy Photo by Lithuania Army Cpl. Monika Dilke)  

LITHUANIA

05.08.2021

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

1st Lt. Eren Moses
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR)

PABRADE, Lithuania – “My first Spur Ride experience was in 2001 as a candidate and I am honored to be a part of Troopers from all around the world, being welcomed into the Spur Holder Family," said 1st Sgt. Vincente Nicola, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment "Stallions."

The "Stallions" Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team "IRONHORSE," held the first Baltic region “Spur Ride," featuring U.S. Soldiers, NATO partners and European allies, competing side-by-side in Pabrade, Lithuania, May 8.

More than 250 service members from the U.S., Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and the Netherlands participated in a grueling 40-hour “Spur Ride.” The event was full of tactical and physical challenges, aimed to test leadership, teamwork, communication, and basic combat skills.

“The event was definitely challenging but also very fun,” said 1st Lt. Theodore Glesener, spur candidate, 2nd Batt., 8th Cav. Reg. “I was excited to work with soldiers from across the world and earn my spurs alongside our NATO partners,” added Glesener.

Participants were divided into 12 to 15 member teams and given 90 minutes to complete each lane before a collective movement to the next location. Over 40 foreign Soldiers were integrated into the squads, which gave both U.S. and NATO Soldiers the opportunity to experience different leadership styles in a tactical environment on a multinational scale.

“It is an honor to be a part of such a great U.S. Cavalry tradition, especially because it was held in my home country of Lithuania," said Capt. Mindaugas Laučius, Lithuanian Army spur candidate, who was among the 13 Lithuanian soldiers representing their country.

"Being able to share this challenging experience with the Belgian, Dutch, and German armed forces really proved the strength of our NATO alliance,” Laučius added. “This experience was very tough, but I was able to depend on my fellow soldiers every step of the way, and now I am a Spur Holder. I will carry my spurs with pride for the rest of my life and grateful for the connections I made along the way,” said Laučius.

• Date Taken: 05.08.2021
• Date Posted: 05.17.2021 04:34
• Story ID: 396300
• Location: LT