PETAWAWA, Canada (Sept. 8, 2014) -- Fort Drum cavalry scouts encountered a unique training experience when they had an opportunity to work alongside members of the Canadian Royal Dragoons, Aug. 11-20, here.
"I think it just broadens everyone's experience level by working with different nations," said Capt. Marsha Dunn, a troop leader with D Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons. "You kind of understand how they work as a whole, how they work with their different crews, how they interact with one another and (it) brings a different perspective to the table."
During the training, Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, had an opportunity to use Zodiac boats as a mode of transportation to assault their objectives. The Zodiac is primarily used to stealthily gain the element of surprise when advancing toward an enemy or enemy position.
"Using the Zodiacs gives the unit greater versatility and makes the enemy have to worry about multiple avenues of approach," said 1st Lt. Brandon Buford, a platoon leader with C Troop, 1-71 Cavalry.
The addition of Zodiacs to a unit's arsenal of equipment gives Soldiers an edge over the enemy -- they can approach by land, water or air, Buford explained.
Participating Soldiers were required to successfully complete tasks and objectives during the training.
"We're doing some multinational training, doing some waterborne insertions, working on some recon, trading tactics techniques, and working on improvements," said Spc. Rich Patterson, a radio telephone operator for C Troop, 1-71 Cavalry.
When the Soldiers left the staging area on the beach, mounted on Zodiacs, they tactically maneuvered to the objective using different formations. When they were 100 meters out from the beach, they dropped their life vests, held a stronger security posture, beached the Zodiacs and hastily took up a security position on the objective.
"The (scenario) was we were entering uncleared enemy territory, so the security positions were thrown out just to make sure everything was good and safe before we broke the boats down and continued on," Patterson said.
A unique challenge was placed on the training as each troop went head to head against different troops within their own squadron to complete their objectives.
"(During) the previous mission, we went against Alpha Troop," Patterson said. "It was a recon into a raid. Alpha Troop was setting up screen lines, and it was our job to penetrate the screen lines, get recon on certain objectives and then it ended in a raid to capturing an HVT, a high-value target, from Delta Troop."
The relationship between 1-71 Cavalry and the Royal Canadian Dragoons dates back to 2009, when both units were deployed to Afghanistan.
"We've kind of had this brotherhood ever since they got back," said 1st Lt. Stephen Gonzales, a platoon leader with C Troop, 1-71 Cavalry. "They come down to train with us, (and) we come back up here to train like twice a year."
Working side by side and training with Canadian forces is a rare sight, but it is a way to learn how each service operates in order to better understand what capabilities each brings to the table.
"A lot of (the training) has to do with building a relationship with our American brethren," Dunn said. "(Soldiers from 1-71 Cavalry) came up here to do an exchange with us, and we're going to head down there with them. It gives us an opportunity to kind of get to know the equipment that other countries use as well as how other countries work -- whether it's radio operations or different ways that they do battle procedures. It's more of a partnership."
After learning about Canadian military operating procedures and becoming familiar with its equipment, the American Soldiers also shared some of the Army's tactics. Patterson said he believes both units gained valuable knowledge during the exercise. Meanwhile, members of the Canadian Royal Dragoons are scheduled to come to Fort Drum in the near future to train with 1-71 Cavalry.
Dunn said she is looking forward learning new perspectives on military training when she takes her unit to northern New York.
"It's always nice to get back out in the field with your guys," she continued. "I'm really looking forward to going down to Fort Drum to experience kind of how they do things."
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