A Stryker provides support by fire by utilizing a MK19 Automatic Grenade Launcher during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO allies fr...

A soldier from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, provides support by fire during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO allies from Ro...

Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, provide support by fire amidst smoke during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO alli...

A soldier from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, provides support by fire during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO allies from Rom...

Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, provide support by fire amidst smoke during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO all...

A flare burns in the distance while a soldier provides support by fire during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO allies from Romania...

Lt. Col. Theodore A. Johnson, squadron commander of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, shakes the hand of Col. Ovidiu Conduruta, the 21st Mountain Battalion Commander, Romanian Army, and a native of Hunedoara, Romania, during the Sarmis 15 Closing C...

Brig. Gen. Tudorica Petrache, Commander of 2nd Mountain Brigade, Romanian Army, and a native of Tangoviste, Romania, presents an award to a Lt. Col. Theodore A. Johnson, squadron commander for 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and a native of Fairf...

Brig. Gen. Tudorica Petrache, commander of 2nd Mountain Brigade, Romanian Army, and a native of Tangoviste, Romania, speaks during the Sarmis 15 Closing Ceremony, Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities f...

Romanian military officials salute soldiers from Romania, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada during the Sarmis 15 Closing Ceremony, Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO alli...

Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, provide support by fire amidst smoke during a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire training exercise at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3. Sarmis 15 provided joint training opportunities for the NATO all...

CINCU TRAINING AREA, Romania- As new friends forge a lasting partnership through shared experiences and common goals, the alliance formed during joint training exercises amongst counterparts endures despite the culmination of the event.

Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, joined NATO allies from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Romania to conduct a Troop Combined Arms Live Fire at Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 3, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The purpose of the last exercise of Sarmis 15, was to challenge leaders to synchronize joined allies through combined assets, both on land and air.

As soldiers dismounted Strykers and bullets flew through the air, soldiers leaned on knowledge gained from their European counterparts to help them remain calm and competent in their soldiering skills despite the chaos around them.

"Working with our Romanian allies was easier than I anticipated because at the end of the day, military graphics and doctrine mean the same thing amongst all of the NATO countries," said Cpt. Michael Farinelli, Fox Troop Commander, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and a native of Scott Depot, West Virginia.

"Understanding the shared basics of doctrine despite what country we're from made communication and understanding the commander's intent that much easier during planning, which lead to competent execution," said Farinelli.

As mortars exploded and A-10 fixed wing aircraft flew overhead, soldiers confidently rushed up hills, sprawling on their stomachs to fire at targets while Strykers fired nearby. The exercise allowed all counterparts involved to lend their expertise in the shared effort of developing tomorrow's leaders.

"It's an outstanding opportunity for us to improve our readiness and develop leaders while strengthening the alliance," said Col. John V. Meyer III, 2nd Cavalry Regiment Commander. "Everything that we've done, from Operation Cavalry March at the beginning of Sarmis 15, to operations throughout the country, and closing with this live fire exercise have all improved the capability of the United States Army and her allies."

After the termination of the exercise, the soldiers from the four nations gathered together as one united front to celebrate in a closing ceremony. The soldiers saluted flags representing the United States, Canada, Romania, and the United Kingdom as the national anthems of each ally was sounded.

While military officials from countries thousands of miles away shook hands and presented tokens of appreciation to one another for contributions made to the exercise, language barriers and cultural differences were set aside as each counterpart recognized the combined efforts contributed from all involved to make the exercise a success.

"There's no where in the world that we're not going to go without our allies," said Farinelli. "These are some very competent and professional armies from around the world that we will continue to work with, and that's a wonderful feeling to know that we have these capabilities," said Farinelli.

SARMIS 15' Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise

COL John V. Meyer III Romania Social Media Clip