Partnership event brings counterparts closer together

By Douglas DeMaioMay 28, 2009

Partnership
German Army Master Sgt. Dominik Weitzer , from 2nd Company, 466th Maintenance Battalion, speaks with U.S. Soldiers in Volkach, Germany. The U.S. troops traveled to the German base to train with P-8 pistols, G36 German assault rifles and MG-3 machineg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAMBERG, Germany -- Soldiers from seven units on Warner Barracks came together May 12 in Volkach, Germany, for some hospitality from the German Bundeswehr.

Elements of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 54th Engineer Battalion, 793rd Military Police Battalion, the Bamberg Health Clinic, and the 1002nd Criminal Investigation Division attempted to qualify for the German Marksmanship Badge known as the SchAfA1/4tzenschnur.

German troops from the Bundeswehr's 2nd Company, 466th Maintenance Battalion not only provided training to Bamberg Soldiers, but they also hosted their counterparts to a barbecue.

"The concept of interoperability is very important in today's era of joint operations, and Soldiers from both Bamberg and Volkach described the value of this event," said Richard Sherman, from USAG Bamberg's Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.

"This type of event is a good experience because not only are these Bundeswehr Soldiers very friendly, but we get to fire their weapons and get to see how they work as Soldiers," said Sgt. Delos Santos from the 173rd.

"This type of training is an example similar to the U.S. type of range training, which I experienced last April in Bamberg," said 1st Lt Christian Paul, from 2/466.

Some of the Soldiers asked questions throughout the day and one person asked if the Bundeswehr has other types of weapons qualifications.

"Yes, we also do tactical ranges, firing our weapons from vehicles, much as you do," Paul said.

"The more we work together, the better we both become," Sherman said, who organizes these events on a regular occasion.

Capt. Brian Looney, from the 54th Engineer Battalion, said he likes military community involvement because there are several partnership programs and events, which are a reward to Soldiers for good performance.

"This type of event... gives Soldiers a chance to do something out of the ordinary," Looney said.

Sherman said there are other events coming up between the partnership units, to include physical fitness training, sports contests, weapons training, and some social gathering.