GYOR, Hungary – Interoperability is a word that people all over the world have been reading about over this past year and it has seemingly taken on a life of its own.
The reason why is simple as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, alongside their NATO allies, have worked tirelessly throughout Eastern Europe to show the world that different military organizations can be more resilient when working together toward a united goal.
Exercise Dragoon Crossing is another great example of this as troopers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2CR, traveled from Rose Barracks, Germany, through the Czech and Slovak Republics, ending the tactical vehicle convoy in Hungary Sept. 13-17, 2015.
This event allowed the Soldiers from Task Force Saber to demonstrate the NATO alliance’s operational freedom of movement while helping to build good will and camaraderie with the local populations throughout the different countries.
“This exercise is a very important exercise as NATO allies and partners continue to work together to improve our interoperability and capabilities,” said Colleen Bell, the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. “This is a multinational exercise that took place today and has been in the planning stages for many, many months.”
The exercise unfolded over a five-day period, with the unit making several different stops in places like the Czech Military Academy in Vyskov, Czech Republic, where they stopped to refuel their vehicles before making their way to the Kuchyna Training Area, Slovakia, to engage the members of the Slovak Republic Armed Forces in a friendly game of soccer.
While at the KTA, 4th Squadron was also greeted by the Slovak Republic minister of defense, Martin Glvac; Charge d’ Affaires Rudolf Perina; the deputy chief of mission, Trey Lyons, along with other foreign dignitaries.
“The one thing, I would say, that highlights the huge success of this training is that the military is centered around doing a complex thing, at an exact time, at an exact location,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Daugherty, the deputy commander of the 4th Infantry Division. “With today demonstrating the outstanding capabilities of our NATO partners.”
After completing a brief stop in Bratislava for a static display of the unit’s M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicles during a multicultural event at the Ministry of Defense, the squadron moved forward towards Gyor, Hungary, to complete the exercise with a deliberate water crossing over a portion of the Danube River using a bypass bridging site built by the Hungarian Defense Force.
“The NATO Alliance is one of the most successful alliances for peace and security ever and it is extremely vital for us to continue with exercises such as this,” said Bell.
This feeling seemed to be one that was shared by the different countries as Exercise Dragoon Crossing came to a close.
“This is a big honor for me to be here today as the exercise today really highlights the growth in the capabilities of our NATO partnership,” said Daugherty.
The next event for the unit will be Exercise Brave Warrior where the Troopers will proceed with their move through Hungary, ending in Varapolta, and start their multinational training with the Hungarian Defense Forces in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.