HOHENFELS, Germany -- This January, winter is hitting hard at the Hohenfels Training Area and the word 'cold' doesn't even begin to describe the experience.
Despite the heavy hitting winter weather, the Troopers assigned to 2nd Squadron (Cougars,) 2d Cavalry Regiment kicked off training at Exercise Allied Spirit IV with their unit's Squad Tactical Exercise, otherwise known as STX Lanes, January 20-22, 2016.
Allied Spirit IV is a Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) conducted, United States Army Europe (USAREUR) directed multinational exercise held at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany and will be held from Jan. 10 -- Feb. 5, 2016.
The goal of the exercise is to prepare forces in Europe to operate together by exercising tactical interoperability and testing secure communications within NATO Alliance member and partner nations.
The event will include about 2,200 participants from six nations. Canada, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States will have training units participating in the exercise.
As the lanes began, the Soldiers were sent out into the training area on different missions. One platoon engaged Oppositional Forces (OPFOR) in a tactical platoon attack at one makeshift village while another was sent out to gather intelligence on the enemy.
"We are getting ready to go out on a mission, here today, for zone reconnaissance," said 1st Lt. Daniel Machado, a 4th Squadron Scout Platoon Leader.
Machado goes on to describe his platoon's role in support of the 'Cougars' mission during AS IV.
"Our mission is to arm the Squadron Commander with the most knowledge we can in terms of moving forward with the squadron's attack," said Machado. "We are going to be observing multiple Named Areas of Interest (N.A.I.) and providing the Squadron Commander with feedback."
As the Troopers prepare themselves, their vehicles and equipment, Machado holds a small mission brief with his Noncommisioned officers in charge.
During this brief, he describes parameters and details essential for the completion of the current mission.
"An N.A.I. is, basically, a place where we are going to observe," said Machado. "We have multiple things that we are going to look at that are called priority intelligence requirements. We will be looking for things such as high value or high payoff targets and then report this back to the Squadron Commander."
Machado recognizes not only the importance of the training itself but also the nature of the conditions in which he and his unit prepare to operate.
"You can look around us right now and we've got all kinds of snow," said Machado. "You never really get to pick the operational environment that you are going to go to war in."
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding as Machado and his unit mount their branch laden, snowy covered Stryker Combat Vehicles and head out towards their objective.
"Even though it is below freezing here and it's tough in terms of weather and terrain, it will really be a good training opportunity for us to learn how to be flexible and versatile in this training environment," said Machado.
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