An M1A2 Abrams tank from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, stands ready during training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 8, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III/22nd Mobile Public Affa...

An M-1 Abrams tank from 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, fires a round during training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 9, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III/22nd Mobile Public Affairs ...

A group of M1A2 Abrams tanks from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, move into firing positions during training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 9, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III/...

U.S. Army Capt. Matt Eley, a Carey, Ohio native and the commander of "Tomahawk" Company, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, receives information on his headset regarding the movements of his So...

2nd Lt. Ross Downum, a Lathrop, Calif. native and a platoon leader in "Tomahawk" Company of 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, fires a .50 caliber machine gun from the top of an M1A2 Abrams tan...

Sgts. Johnta Teel (left) and Edgar Cardenas (right), both motor transport operators with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, put the finishing touches on paperwork before transporting ammunition...

Pfc. Brandon DeFlippo, a Rolla, Mo. native and a tank systems maintainer with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, performs maintenance on a Bradley fighting vehicle during training in Adazi, Lat...

Sgt. Jamal Salam, a Newark, N.J. native and a tank crewman with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, helps prepare an Abrams tank before it participates in training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 9, 2017....

Pfc. Brandon DeFlippo, a Rolla, Mo. native and an M-1 Abrams tank system maintainer with the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, performs maintenance on an M-1 tank during training in Adazi, Lat...

Cpl. Eric Gonzales, a Indio, Calif. native and a cavalry scout with the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, throws a RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial system during training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 9, 2...

A Soldier assigned to 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, fuels an M-1 Abrams tank during training in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 8, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III/22nd Mobile Public...

ADAZI, Latvia - Soldiers with the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan. executed a combined arms live fire exercise in Adazi, Latvia Dec. 8-10.

The purpose of the exercise was to test the unit's ability to deploy its equipment and personnel within 48 hours of notification. Once at the deployed location, the Soldiers were required to employ their equipment. This task included "zone reconnaissance," which essentially is collecting information on opposing forces, terrain and possible routes to use to move through an area.

"This (exercise) proved that we are capable of conducting zone reconnaissance," said 1st. Lt. Tyler Bobilya, a Fort Wayne, Ind. native and platoon leader in 5-4 Cav.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher King, a Billings, Mont. native and tank platoon sergeant, said he has worked with armored forces for more than 11 years. In that time, he has learned the importance of his role as a tanker in the grand scheme of military operations.

"Our job is not just to fight as armored reconnaissance," said King. "We paint a picture for the brigade commander to influence how he wants to negotiate the battle space."

King emphasized that maintaining proficiency on his team's equipment and the tactics necessary to be successful is critical to achieving success if deterrence against external threats to America's European allies and partner nations fails.

"There's nothing that will change the pace of the battlefield quicker than the introduction of a tank into the fight," said King, reflecting on a quote from his father who also served with tanks.

The men and women of 5-4 Cav. are part of a list of units deployed to Europe to support Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of the United States' commitment to the collective security of Eastern Europe through the deployment of rotational U.S. forces in cooperation with NATO allies and partner nations.