INOWROCLAW, Poland -- Polish Soldiers from the 56th Aviation Base, and U.S. Soldiers from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade "Task Force Griffin," augmented by 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 127th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade and 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation, 1AD CAB participated in the Polish led opening ceremonies for Anakonda 16, here, June 6, at Inowroclaw Air Base.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the exercise which will include combined planning, rehearsal and execution of air assault, attack and heavy lift aviation operations culminating in a battalion size air-assault.
"It was great meeting and shaking hands with the Polish Soldiers after the ceremony," said Pvt. Jalani Jones, a 42A Human Resources Specialist, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1AD CAB. "The camaraderie was instant between us, even though we didn't speak the same language."
The 12th CAB or "Task Force Griffin" deployed over 60 aircraft and 800 Soldiers to multiple locations throughout Poland.
"We do not always get the opportunity to work with foreign armies," said Spc. Jarrett Green, a 15P Aviation Operations Specialist from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd. Bn., 227th Avn. Regt., 1 ACB. "It's a great experience to see new European countries and how their militaries operate."
The logistical planning for Anakonda 16 began months ago in Germany and the scale of the exercise provides a unique challenge when executing operations across such a large area.
"The reception and integration from our Polish Allies has been fantastic," said Maj. David Hankins, the Brigade Logistics Officer for 12th CAB. "Their logistical support made our setup much easier."
Anakonda 2016, scheduled to run through June 17, is a Polish national exercise designed to train, exercise and integrate Polish command and force structure into a joint multinational environment.
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