Photo By Pfc. Andre Gremillion Jr | U.S. Army Col. Matthew Kelley, commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more
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U.S. Army and Polish Land Forces direct Operation Winter Falcon 2026
Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland — U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, conducted an armored live-fire exercise and technology demonstrations during Operation Winter Falcon 26 at Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, Jan. 13, 2026.
The event demonstrated how modern military operations rely on integrating multiple systems, including unmanned aircraft systems and counter-UAS capabilities, to strengthen defensive capabilities. The demonstration reflected how the United States and its NATO allies are modernizing to reinforce defenses in Poland and across the alliance.
Polish and U.S. forces fired their M1A2 Abrams tanks side by side on the firing line. The live-fire marked the first time Polish forces fired their M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks alongside U.S. forces, demonstrating both the platform’s firepower and the coordination among partner nations. The commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Col. Matthew Kelley, emphasized the importance of communication when building relationships to deliver interoperability.
“The way I look at this is we train to be ready for anything that might happen in the future. There is no way you could do that on your own,” Kelley said. The commander remarked on the importance of performing the training in Poland and the value it brings to his troops, “The strength of our allies together is how we demonstrate that resolve, that commitment, and you’ve gotta do that in the place you may have to defend.”
After the live-fire exercise, a static display of unmanned aerial systems featured first-person view drones that can provide reconnaissance for ground and armored forces and engage enemy vehicles while the drone pilot remains in a secure position. Polish vehicles, such as the M142 HIMARS and the AH-64D Apache, were displayed alongside U.S. tech systems to counter opposing UAS. There were several options to view, such as the Modi electronic countermeasure platform, the Flex Force Dronebuster system, and the SMASH 200L Smart Shooter optic mount for an M4A1 carbine, designed to detect, disrupt, and deter enemy UAS.
The static display illustrated how both UAS and counter-UAS systems complement armored platforms such as the Abrams by providing reconnaissance, identifying potential threats at a distance, and preventing adversaries from locating friendly forces. When presented together, the systems demonstrated the growing role of UAS and counter-UAS technologies in reinforcing NATO’s defensive posture along Poland’s eastern region.
Operation Winter Falcon 26 underscored the importance of innovation for NATO’s armed forces in modern military operations. By linking armored elements, such as Abrams tanks, with UAS, U.S. and NATO forces demonstrated how coordinated technologies enhance readiness and strengthen the overall defense.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2026 06:55 |
| Story ID: | 556360 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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