Ustka, Poland -- Soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the 174th Ohio National Guard, and Poland's 3rd Surface to Air Missile Brigade met June 4 to compete for the inaugural Anakonda Cup in Ustka, Poland to foster comradere amongst the units.
A hush falls over everyone in attendance as Cpt. Dominic Falcon, one of the coordinators for the event, prepares to toss the opening jump ball of the Anakonda Cup basketball rounds. This game will be the first of several events designed to foster a spirit of friendly competition between these two North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allies.
"Competitions like these are a great way to break the ice." explained Cpt. Falcon, "It forces up close and personal interactions."
As the competition raged, the teams battled in both a basketball and soccer tournament. Once the victors were named and the rankings finalized members from each team were moved to a live fire range for the final event, a familiarization of both nation's personal weapon systems and a shooting competition.
"I'm so excited to be here, to hang out with the Polish Army, and to be able to fire an AK." stated Spc. Dylan Brantley, a 14E Patriot Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer, "It's a once in a life time opportunity. "
At the end of the day the Hammerheads from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment was named the winner, but going forward both these nations will reap the rewards from the bonds they forged on the field of friendly competition.
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