Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard performed as the169th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) during exercise Immediate Response 15, Sept. 14.
Immediate Response 15 is a multinational, brigade-level exercise utilizing computer-assisted simulations and field training exercises occurring in Croatia and Slovenia. The exercise simulations are built upon a scenario designed to enhance regional stability, strengthen partner capacity and improve interoperability between partner nations.
The 169th FAB's role in IR15 is to provide simulated anti-artillery, suppression and air defense artillery operations. Multiple scenarios are being conducted with the intent to share artillery capabilities with NATO partners.
"We are performing force field artillery headquarters operations to support our Slovenian partners along with a number of other allied, NATO country personnel," said U.S. Army Maj. John Hancher, 169th FAB exercise commander. "The [Colorado National Guard] has performed in Immediate Response during all five iterations thus far and we hope to continue our involvement with our partner nation."
Unlike other assets of the Army units participating in Immediate Response 15, Hancher and his team have a long history of working with Slovenia and have developed a close bond with the Slovenian military.
"The state of Colorado has a state partnership with Slovenia, which means [Colorado National Guard] personnel visit Slovenia and they visit us for numerous training opportunities, but Immediate Response is the premier event," said Hancher. "We have always given our best to our partners and every year together provides another chance to strengthen our relationship and NATO defense."
The exercise benefits more than the defense of the European theater, however. Hancher's team took the chance to improve their own capabilities by going beyond their stateside occupation and performing a step above the norm.
"Many of our personnel haven't worked at this echelon of leadership, so not only are we improving interoperability between our nations, but we are also taking this time to learn about the strategic landscape," said Hancher. "This is my second year participating, and without the experience I gained the first time, I would be hard-pressed to give the 169th FAB what they need. I hope others within the staff have similar experiences and bring those back next year as well as implementing their talents back home."
With the support of the Slovenian and Colorado National Guard's simulated artillery support, the exercise gains another critical training element which affects Immediate Response as a whole. The artillery element diversifies the battlefield and gives other controllers something new with which to command the simulated engagements.
"The 169th provides an [artillery] fire asset that, on paper and in real-life scenarios, is invaluable to the fight," said said Maj. Marty Martinez, U.S. Army Europe Exercise Division Chief of Operations. "I set high expectations for the entire exercise, and [Hancher and his team] have exceeded, and helped others exceed, those expectations."
Outside of their artillery mission, Hancher said his team has gained some valuable professional and personal experience by seeing the Slovenians in action and relaxing with them when they get a chance.
"Nothing beats working with a partner nation directly; you just can't work through teleconference or email and expect to receive the type of experience these Soldiers receive in Slovenia," said Hancher. "After work and during a few down days, we also have a chance to visit the country which gives them something to talk about with their Slovenian counterparts, fostering new relationships that they can bring back next year."
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