BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- U.S. Army troops from 2nd Cavalry Regiment were warmly greeted by as many as 4,000 residents in Lodz, Poland, waving American flags during a procession that also included Polish forces.
The three columns of 31 Stryker armored vehicles and support vehicles from K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cav. Regt. set off Feb. 22 from Drawsko Pomorskie in northern Poland on a cross-country tactical road march dubbed "Operation Knight Rider."
The convoy of about 150 Soldiers arrived in Lodz Feb. 23 before moving to Nowa Deba in southern Poland to continue exercises with the Polish Army.
Lodz residents gathered on the city's historic Piotrkowska Street to give high-fives and take photos with K Troop Soldiers while getting an up-close look at U.S. military equipment. Polish children waved American flags and tossed a football with the U.S. Soldiers, who also handed out Operation Atlantic Resolve pins to eager citizens.
"The relationships we are forging with the Polish people, especially during events like this, help leverage our mission to support allies in preserving peace throughout the region," said Capt. Thomas A. Duncan, K Troop commander. "Talking to the residents in Lodz and the warm reception we received was just a great reminder that there's a shared commitment here to promoting a secure, stable Europe, and our efforts are appreciated."
Operation Knight Rider tested K Troop's readiness and demonstrated the unit's freedom of movement through Poland while underscoring the U.S. commitment to NATO security, said Duncan. The road march also gave junior leaders valuable convoy experience while testing their ability to quickly deploy.
Polish soldiers from the Military Medical Training Center in Lodz and the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade from Tomaszow Mazowiecki also took part in the exhibition as a sign of unity with their U.S. counterparts.
The U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Paul W. Jones, and Lodz Mayor Hanna Zdanowska formally greeted the crowd as residents interacted with Soldiers.
"What we are witnessing in Lodz is happening every day in Poland. Training and exercising together with Polish soldiers, U.S. troops are ready to defend every inch of Polish territory," Jones told the crowd.
Capt. Dennis Greenberg, a civil affairs officer with Company D, 80th Civil Affairs Battalion, whose civil affairs team helps facilitate community outreach efforts in Poland in support of 2nd Cav, described the reception by Lodz citizens for the U.S. troops "incredible."
"There was an overwhelmingly positive response meeting the citizens in Lodz, smiles all around. We saw some of the older generation shedding tears because a show of solidarity like this brings a big feeling of security for those who once experienced an occupied Poland (during World War II)," said Greenberg.
He added that the opportunity to interact directly not just with Polish citizens but also the soldiers at the Lodz Military Medical Training Center literally opened new doors for his team.
"We ended up getting a tour of their medical facility, which created the opportunity for future joint training with them," he said.
Staff Sgt. Scott Balliett, also with the 80th Civil Affairs Battalion's team in Poland, said he was greeted by two older gentlemen who expressed their appreciation for the U.S. Army's presence in their country. One of the men, he said, presented him with a hand-pressed copper warship modeled after the Polish Navy destroyer he once served on as a token of thanks.
The 2nd Cav. Regt. troops passing through Lodz have been training with their Polish counterparts in Drawsko Pomoroskie as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational effort to train together while providing security cooperation activities throughout Eastern Europe.
The same day K Troop met the people of Lodz, they arrived in Nowa Deba, where the unit is conducting further exercises with the Polish Army until March 10.
Over the past year, 3rd Squadron has participated in several community events like the one in Lodz, including opportunities to reach out to Polish citizens in Torun, Drawsko Pomorskie, Sandomierz and Rzeszow.
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