PABRADE TRAINING AREA, Lithuania - Soldiers of L Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted a team live-fire training exercise February 1-5. The live-fire exercise certified the fire teams of L Troop on their proficiency as infantrymen.
During the exercise, L Troop hosted a media event for Aleksandras Matonis from the TV show “Military Secrets,” which airs on Lithuanian National Radio and Television or LRT, the country’s national public broadcasting company. L Troop leadership emphasized the live-fire exercise’s importance and the benefit it provides in getting Soldiers qualified on their tactics, techniques and procedures.
“This training allowed Soldiers the opportunity become confident in their TTP’s and weapons systems,” said 1st Lt. Ethan Klausner, the L Troop executive officer. “Above all, the live-fire exercise allowed leaders to get out and lead their men in a stressful environment.”
For many Soldiers of L Troop, the team live-fire exercise was not their first time training in Lithuania. The 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s current tour in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve marks the 2nd time Spc. Jerry Watkins has stepped foot on the ranges of Pabrade Training Area.
“Our training is important because we start at the lowest level,” said Watkins, an infantryman with L Troop. “So far, I think we’ve performed well. The weapons squads are training hard, but we are becoming faster, quicker and more effective.”
Throughout the training members of L Troop showcased their combat abilities and equipment for Matonis. Matonis moved alongside the infantrymen during their maneuvers and commended the teamwork he saw on display, saying “Each time our team comes to a range to observe training we hope to witness something special, like a personal touch maybe from the commander, a sergeant, or a soldier. That’s exactly what happened today. The drills they conducted were enriched by the experience of their seasoned soldiers and the energy level of their young ones, which made their mistakes less noticeable and their successes more admirable. This is exactly the type of story I would like our TV viewers to watch.”
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment replaced the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry division as U.S. Army Europe’s regionally allocated force. Operation Atlantic Resolve provides U.S. and allied forces the opportunity to work and train together and improves their ability to operate as a combined force; that capability is essential to the security and strength of Europe.