VÁRPALOTA, Hungary – Comanche Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1-7 CAV) ‘Garryowen’, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division hosted several distinguished visitors during a unit training observation day at the central training area in Várpalota, Hungary, Aug. 3, 2018.
Among the visitors were U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David B. Cornstein, five mayors and deputy mayors from the towns surrounding the Várpalota training area, as well as Hungarian soldiers and local Hungarian media.
The event included static displays and vehicle demonstrations, which included a M1A2 Abrams tank, a M1064 mortar carrier and a M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle; the weapons, equipment and capabilities used to support and operate these vehicles; and a live-fire of an Abrams and a Bradley. Additionally, a number of U.S. and Hungarian Soldiers were recognized for their service excellence.
“We’ve been able to get out in the community, learn more of the culture of the Hungarians, bring them in, and invite them to learn about us as we’re learning about them,” said U.S. Army Capt. Patrick R. Glazebrook, the commander of Comanche Troop. “It’s been a great opportunity for our Soldiers at every single level.”
Glazebrook said it has been a great honor to be guests in the Várpalota training area — to be able to maneuver and to shoot live-fires on their range.
For Comanche Troop, nighttime operations are an important function in maintaining their readiness and combat effectiveness.
“The way we operate as a cavalry organization is we own the night,” Glazebrook said. “There’s no curfew in combat.”
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex J. Marston, the indirect fire infantryman section leader with Comanche Troop agrees.
“Day and night are not too different for a mortarman,” he said.
Marston’s section has completed two full mortar qualification tables, multiple sets of live-fires, and practiced all the task numbers relevant to their qualification as mortarmen.
“We’ve practiced multiple times since being in Europe,” Marston said. “Whether it be day or night, we’re going to be in the fight.”
Comanche Troop knows that nighttime training means much more capable U.S. and Hungarian forces, a more secure Hungary, and better interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. They hoped the event would help the mayors and populations of the surrounding towns understand that need.
“Overall, our mission here is to assure our allies,” Glazebrook said.
To accomplish that mission, Glazebrook hopes to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Hungary by gaining the support of the communities that surround Comanche Troop.
“I just felt like it was a great experience for not just me, but for my guys to show what they can do,” Marston said. “I think it was also an invitation to cross-train with them in the future — to spread our knowledge and capabilities with the Hungarians.”