FARGO, N.D. — “Train as you fight” is a common mantra in the military. When deployed, North Dakota Guardsmen often find themselves working alongside soldiers from numerous NATO countries; it only makes sense to train with them, too.
This summer brought a soldier from the United Kingdom to North Dakota. In September, North Dakota will in turn send a Soldier to England.
“I hope to learn some techniques they use in training and some of their TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) for the battlefield,” said Staff Sgt. Chad P. Finck, who will be traveling to the United Kingdom. “It would be beneficial to us in case we someday are fighting side-by-side on the battlefield. Hopefully, with the knowledge that I gain from being in the UK, I can share that knowledge with North Dakota Soldiers, whether it being communication or different techniques to use in our training.”
Finck served as Sgt. Robert Strong’s sponsor during his two weeks in North Dakota. Strong, who hails from Bournemough, England, has an engineer background which proved to be a good match with Finck, of Bismarck, who serves in the 817th Engineer Company out of Jamestown.
Strong called Finck a “good egg” who “knows his job and his boys.”
Together, they trained at Camp Grafton, near Devils Lake, N.D., on M-16 rifle marksmanship — including night firing and shooting with nuclear, biological and chemical protective gear on — and shot the M-249 squad automatic weapon. They also trained with HEAT, Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, on how to safely recover from a Humvee rollover. The Soldiers practiced convoy operations, descending the rappel tower, military operations in urban terrain (such as clearing buildings), drivers training and demolitions.
It wasn’t all work and no play, however, as Finck sought to show Strong a glimpse of life in the U.S.
“We went to Fort Totten one evening and toured the fort. We went to Medora one day (and) did some hiking — trekking as the English say it — in the Badlands, and took in the fondue and musical,” Finck said. “I just wanted to show him some of our heritage. Sgt. Strong wanted mostly to see the American everyday lifestyle, so I took him around Bismarck to some restaurants and shopping areas.”
Strong appreciated the training and site-seeing, listing numerous things he considered memorable from his trip: “the warm reception, hospitality, tight-knit unit, camaraderie, high morale, and work together as a cohesive unit. (They’re) very professional.”
“Because of the camaraderie and moral professionalism,” Strong continued, “I would find it an honor to work with this unit anytime, anyplace, anywhere and in any operation. The 817th boys, I would go anywhere in the world with them.”
| Date Taken: |
07.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
07.14.2010 21:48 |
| Story ID: |
52839 |
| Location: |
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: |
209 |
| Downloads: |
155 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, North Dakota, United Kingdom Soldiers Participate in Military Exchange, by SSG Eric Jensen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
