For a second time this year, 2d Cavalry Regiment hosted a deployment departure ceremony for Troops heading to Poland to be a part of the Battle Group Poland in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s enhanced Forward Presence initiative.
Family, friends and special guests assembled at the Memorial Fitness Center on Rose Barracks, Germany, Oct. 4, 2017 to bid farewell to the Soldiers.
Task Force Wolfpack, which is comprised of mainly the 3rd Squadron, with elements from the Field Artillery Squadron, 2CR, the Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2CR and the Balaklava Squadron, Light Dragoons Regiment, British Army, will initiate its deployment Oct. 9 when they begin their 1,100 kilometer road march from Rose Barracks to Orzysz, Poland.
Once in Poland, the Task Force will relieve 2d Squadron, 2CR from their responsibility and join the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade, the higher headquarters for the battle group, and units from both Croatia and Romania to form the second iteration of the group.
“We will continue to expand on the great work started by our predecessors by integrating new capabilities and expanding our training events, from multi-national tactical maneuvers to live fire exercises,” said Lt. Col. Scott Cheney, 3rd Squadron commander. “With each passing iteration of the NATO Battle Group we increase our shared understanding of knowledge, systems, technical solutions and most importantly our ability to work together tactically.”
The Warsaw Summit in 2016 resulted in an action to have a physical presence of four battle groups along the Eastern Baltic Region to deter current and potential adversaries and if necessary, defend the alliance. Aside from Poland, there is a group in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
“This formation standing in front of you right now is the physical manifestation of that decision and embodies the NATO’s article five principle ‘Attack against one is an attack against all,'” said Lt. Col. Troy Meissel, 2CR deputy commanding officer, when he addressed the audience.
The Regiment’s continued multinational training exercises prepared the 3rd Squadron for its mission to maintain a formidable interoperable force that can operate under a NATO command structure in a time of crisis.
The tactical road march that the U.S. and United Kingdom Soldiers execute will highlight the task force’s ability to rapidly assemble forces and move them from Germany to Poland in order to amass combat power wherever the Alliance needs it the most. The focus is on the ability to ‘fight tonight’ if required.
“There is a huge sacrifice that comes with serving our great nation, but your sacrifice is not in vain. You have all the tools and knowledge to demonstrate the capabilities of this Battle Group,” said Meissel. “You are demonstrating your ability to defend the NATO alliance. Trust in your abilities and trust in each other. You would not have been chosen for this mission if we did not have full faith and confidence in all your abilities.”
Battle Group Poland is stationed in the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Orzysz. During the 3rd Squadron’s six month deployment, they will continue to train within the group and take part in U.S. Army Europe’s large scale multinational tactical training exercises.
The Soldiers will also participate in social events and community engagements to expand their cultural understanding of the host nation, Poland.
“Our deployment marks a continued commitment by 2d Cavalry Regiment to a responsive force stationed in Poland,” concluded Cheney. “These deployments and subsequent exercises continue to develop strong habitual relationships with units like the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade. Together we will stand ready and committed to the security of Poland.”