NOWA DEBA, Poland - U.S. Army paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with Polish soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade, conducted an airborne training exercise July 18 at the Nowa Deba Training Area in Poland.
However, for the 173rd Airborne Brigade, jumping with U.S. allies is familiar territory.
Operating as the only U.S. airborne unit in Europe, the 173rd Airborne Brigade has the unique opportunity to work with many multinational partners.
"This was the third or fourth time we've jumped in the last 12 months, just these two units, and each time we get better," said U.S. Army Capt. Matt McCarthy, commander of Co. D. "It brings us closer and closer together, and increases our strengths."
Using UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters provided by 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter Battalion), Task Force Brawler, the combined 60 U.S. and Polish paratroopers performed a static-line jump from 1,500 feet, parachuting from the aircraft.
Although the soldiers wear different uniforms, for McCarthy, being a paratrooper makes all the jumpers the same.
"I think every jumper looks to the left and right, whether they're Polish or American, they want to make sure they're fellow airborne brother lands safely," said McCarthy. "I didn't really care if it was a Polish or an American airborne trooper next to me, I just wanted to make sure that airborne trooper landed safely."
Although the 173rd Airborne Brigade has participated in many multinational jumps, for some of the Polish, this was their first time jumping with the Americans.
"This was the first time I've jumped using (American) equipment and parachutes," said Polish Army Capt. Thomas Stefan. "Cooperating with (the Americans) gives us the opportunity to share new equipment, learn about different kinds of jumps and cooperate together."
Even though it was Stefan's first jump with the Americans, many of the paratroopers enjoy working with and in many different countries.
U.S. Army Pfc. Cody Wojcik, a paratrooper with Co. D, not only jumped several times with the Polish last year, he's also jumped with the Canadians.
"It was great. It's always fun to jump into other countries and work with them," said Wojcik. "The last jump we did in Poland was actually a UH-60 jump. Same results, awesome training, awesome jumping."
The first jumper of the day, McCarthy, said it was a great day to jump out of a helicopter.
"We're very thankful to the Polish people," said McCarthy. "They've invited us here, they've been great training partners and we hope to train more with them."
The jump took place as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies. Led by the 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element and in conjunction with European partner nations, Atlantic Resolve is intended to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions and ensure the continued peace and stability of Europe.
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