Call for Fire Academy unifies NATO Allies

SWIETOSZOW, Poland -- Polish soldiers with the 1st Tank Battalion, 10th Armored Calvary Brigade had the unique opportunity to attend the "Call for Fire Academy" instructed by troops from the Fire Support Element with the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment (Black Jack), 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, here March 13, 2017 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

The Call for Fire Academy is scheduled for March 6-17 with the goal of cross-training the Polish Army's forward observers, infantry and armored soldiers so each element can have a common understanding of how the U.S. Army implements indirect artillery fire.

Members of the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt. fire support team instructed Polish soldiers on observation point occupation, terrain sketches and indirect fire implementation during the 10-day course.

"One of the best ways we can do that is going through the Call for Fire Trainer (CFFT)," said Staff Sgt. Troy Armstrong, Squadron Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., 3rd ABCT, 4th ID. "It's a digital simulation that we can actually conduct those missions on."

The CFFT is a lightweight and rapidly deployable digital simulation system designed to provide basic instructions for new fire support soldiers and a sustainment tool for qualified soldiers.

Throughout the day, each Polish Soldier experienced munitions effects, terrain scenes and target scenarios that are not practical or possible in garrison.

Operation Atlantic Resolve provides a unique opportunity for NATO allies to work together. The training provided by 4th Sqdn, 10th Cav. Regt. allows the soldiers from both countries to better understand each other's doctrine and then practice it in a controlled environment.

"It's important that our soldiers get to train on your procedures to prepare for future operations," said Polish Army Capt. Tomasz Spena, Brigade Assistant Fire Support Officer, 1st Tank Bn., 10th ACB. "However, the most beneficial part of this training is having the opportunity to train with equipment that our Army doesn't have."

The Call for Fire Academy is another development stepping-stone that both nations are participating in to prepare for a scheduled combined live-fire exercise March 28-29, 2017.

"I think the combined live-fire should be smooth," said Armstrong. "This is just a development from an exercise we did with the Polish observers and now we're instructing the academy so we all have the basis for Call for Fire."

'Once we go conduct the 2S1 training I think it'll be a huge success for both armies because we can actually implement our Call for Fire procedures with their artillery and they can also do the same with ours."

The 3rd ABCT is currently deployed as the first of the heel-to-toe rotations of a U.S. Armored Brigade in Europe. Over the next nine months they will conduct bi-lateral training across central and eastern Europe and participate in multinational exercises to contribute to Operation Atlantic Resolve.

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