(DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland) - Soldiers and equipment continue to arrive as the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division prepares for more than 5,000 personnel from 9 countries to take part in Exercise Anakonda 16 at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland.
The large increase in Soldiers and equipment moving throughout the training area and firing ranges increases the risk of accidents or disrupting the daily lives of the local population. The brigade's Provost Marshall has been working closely with their Polish counterparts to prevent these incidents while minimizing the disruption to the locals.
"We are working closely with Polish Military Police providing security for all vehicle movements within DPTA.," said Staff Sgt. Jacob Gravelyn, the brigade's Provost Marshall Office Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge. "We have a good rapport working with the Polish military police; they are very cooperative and are excited to work with us."
Polish 2nd Lt. Marcin Deja said the relationship between the Polish and American Soldiers has been outstanding, but for Anakonda 16 to be a success, they need to make sure they have a solid plan to protect all those involved or affected by the exercise.
"Our top priority is safety of all personnel, which includes local town citizens in-between the training areas," said Deja. "I'm in charge of making sure that all military vehicles that are here for Anakonda 16 are escorted and get to the training area safely without incident while following the rules of the [Polish] government."
The Provost Marshall Officer for 1st Brigade, 1st Lt. Keith Cohen, said the size of a military convoy determines if a Polish MP escort is required. They also work with the Polish police to secure roadways when moving oversized vehicles, such as M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, which shows the local population the U.S. Army is working in conjunction with the Polish police to ensure everyone's safety.
Deja said his prior experience working with 1st Brigade made it easier to plan for Anakonda.
"This not my first time working with 1ABCT Soldiers," said Deja. "The professionalism and standards of 1ABCT Soldiers far exceed my expectations of them and I'm happy to have work with them again."
Gravelyn said additional multinational MPs will be arriving at Drawsko Pomorskie to provide force protection for Anakonda, giving them the opportunity to see the tactics and techniques used by other countries.
"There is going to be a partnership between six countries with their military police," said Gravelyn. "So, we will be able to work with that partnership and gain an understanding how other nations do the same job that I do as coalition forces and NATO forces."
Anakonda 16 is a Polish-led exercise taking place in Poland June 7-17. The exercise will include over 25,000 participants from more than 20 nations, supporting assurance and deterrence measures by demonstrating allied defense capabilities to deploy, mass and sustain combat power.
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