U.S. soldiers from Scout Platoon, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, work together with British 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, as Battle Group Poland creates a hybrid reconnaissance unit called Eagle Troop, during Saber Strike 18 at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland.
Battle Group Poland is a unique, multinational battle group, comprised of U.S., U.K., Croatian and Romanian soldiers who serve with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade as a defense and deterrence force in northeast Poland in support of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.
The U.S. Army provides Interim Armored Vehicle Strykers with communications equipment to facilitate tactical communications with the U.K. and U.S. forces. The U.S. is also providing a secondary line of communication from the U.S. Battle Group Command to 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards to enhance interoperability.
"The dynamic between the U.S. and British has been great. The British, relying mostly on their vehicles, move faster and cover longer distances. The U.S., uses more soldiers on the ground allowing us to move undetected and through more difficult terrain so they really compliment each other," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Puwalski, platoon leader of Scout Platoon.
The U.S. Stryker carries more armor making it slower than the British Mobility Weapon-Mounted Installation Kit "Jackal" which is designed to be more agile and lightweight. The Jackals use their speed and maneuverability to move forward of the main forces and avoid decisively engaging enemy combatants.
Eagle Troop has been able to adjust operating procedures based on the combined capabilities and limitations of the Stryker and Jackal. The Troop is able to overcome communication barriers such as equipment adaptability and military terminology differences by embedding a British communications specialist into a Stryker to act as a liaison to the British command.
Saber Strike is the culmination of the combined efforts and the final test to see how much more they can accomplish.
Saber Strike 18, taking place from June 3-15 is the eighth iteration of the long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative exercise designed to enhance interoperability among allies and regional partners.