BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland — On the morning of Sept. 2, 2026, teams gathered to begin the two-day Exercise Masurian Patrol at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area in Poland.
The exercise was named for the Masurian region, where the training area is located. The British-run competition is based on Exercise Cambrian Patrol, which normally takes place in the rugged Cambrian Mountains and swampland of mid-Wales.
“A well-drilled and highly capable team that performed with real professionalism,” said the British sergeant major of B Squadron, Light Dragoons. “They demonstrated outstanding resilience, toughness and determination throughout, underpinned by a high level of training, discipline and teamwork.”
The sergeant major was speaking about the U.S. Army eight-man team assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment.
The competition included four teams from the British Army’s B Squadron, Light Dragoons, and one team from the Polish Armed Forces’ 5th Masovian Territorial Defense Brigade.
The first day of the competition featured several events. Leading the group of eight from Charlie Company was Staff Sgt. Kevin Ortega.
“From the patrol and bayonet lane to the medical lane, movement to contact, land navigation and reporting, every event tested our teamwork and leadership,” Ortega said.
The competition pushed Ortega’s team physically and mentally.
“Carrying 70-pound rucks for 20 miles through extremely dense marshland left us soaked, muddy and exhausted, but we kept each other motivated and continued moving forward,” Ortega said.
The British sergeant major noted, “Every time I saw them, they had a smile on their faces, regardless of how hard or long the tasks were.”
Ortega’s team maintained its morale under pressure, which brought the members closer together. The team excelled on the second day, which included a timed ruck march followed by shooting the British Army’s L85A3 assault rifle.
Ortega said he walked away more confident in his teammates, his leadership abilities and his ability to keep pushing when conditions become difficult.