CHANIA, Greece (Oct. 1, 2015)--A Patriot missile travels over 3,000 miles an hour to intercept an airborne threat to provide protection to a population or a defended target. Firing these sophisticated weapons is what brought German and American Soldiers together during "Rapid Arrow," a live fire exercise, that ends on Oct. 3.
Soldiers from 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command brought five Patriot crews to train with German air defenders at the NATO Missile Firing Installation, or NAMFI, where the German soldiers are conducting their NATO evaluation.
Except for the evaluation portion, each of the 15 American Soldiers lived, learned and worked with the German Patriot crewmembers as a multinational team.
This was the first time a Patriot live fire was conducted with completely integrated crews of German and American Soldiers. Each Patriot missile was fired by an engagement control station, staffed by two German soldiers and one American Soldier.
"Our similar crew drills, like equipment, and close relationship made all of this possible," said Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley, senior enlisted advisor, 10th AAMDC.
Senior leaders from Greece, Germany and the U.S. visited the exercise and saw firsthand how Soldiers were meeting their goals of teamwork and cooperation.
"The most reliable trusted members of any coalition we've ever been in, have all come from NATO," said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general, U.S. Army Europe. "You have to train that way, you have to train with the nations with whom you are likely to conduct operations with, and provide security for populations. Certainly Germany and Greece are two of those nations."
This training allows each country to be prepared for real-world scenarios.
"I think that cooperation in training, exercises and in mission, is the way ahead, and to train together and exercise together is the foundation for success in real missions," said German Brig. Gen. Michael Gschossmann, commander, Ground Based Forces, German Air Force.
The capabilities the NAMFI firing range offers, makes this training between NATO members possible.
"NATO is an alliance between equal members," added Greek Maj. Gen. Lazaros Skylakis, commander, NAMFI. "It's very important to have cooperation between these members, these states (and) these nations."
All three leaders also expressed hope for increasing shared training opportunities between their countries.
"I hope all the Soldiers take away that they can trust the patriot systems as an awesome capability, but also to show and live through partnership, live through friendship, and to have a good time as well," Gschossmann said.
Related Links:
German Air Force Story and Photos (in German)
NATO Missile Firing Installation
Social Sharing