TORUN, Poland - The 'Knights' of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade conducted their first field training exercise in Torun, Poland, Mar. 14 - Mar. 24.
The purpose of the exercise was to test the company readiness in an austere environment for deployment, specifically to occupy and defend an area.
"Conducting the exercise in Poland proved to be valuable, as it allowed the brigade commander to observe training on tasks that are not performed on a daily basis," said Command Sgt. Maj. Maveric Ledbetter, of 16th Sustainment Brigade. "Training on the Polish base also gave us an opportunity to enhance our relationship with our allies."
The company deployed 132 Soldiers with more than 30 vehicles for the field training exercise.
A majority of the Soldiers in the unit have seldom interacted with each other because of the different specialty offices in the unit such as Judge Advocate General section, Public Affairs office, Chaplain's office, Culinary Specialists.
"I got a chance to work with and train with fellow Soldiers that I only saw at physical training formation and training," said Spc. David Marabele, a human resources specialist assigned to HHC, 16th Special Troops Battalion, and native of Columbus, GA. "It was challenging at times, but a rewarding experience in the end."
During the exercise, the 'Knights' set up an operating area consisting of a medical aid station, dining facility, tactical operation center, mission support area, fuel storage area and a refueling point.
"The Soldiers convoyed more than 600 miles from Baumholder to Torun, and did a great job in an austere environment, learning valuable lessons as we trained tactical skills," said Capt. Christopher Jackson, company commander for HHC, 16th Special Troops Battalion. "Morale remained high and everyone came together to work as a team."
The overall purpose of the brigade's training exercise was to hone Soldier skills in preparation for Exercise Anakonda 2016 in June.
Exercise Anakonda 16 is a Polish national exercise that aims to train, exercise, and integrate Polish national command and force structures into an allied, joint, multinational environment. This exercise will involve more than 25,000 participants from 24 nations.
"Our Polish allies provided us with the support and assistance we needed to complete our mission, showing their commitment to building a Strong Europe," Ledbetter said.
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