NOVO SELO, Bulgaria - Soldiers with the 194th Engineer Brigade Tennessee Army National Guard are at Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), Bulgaria conducting mission command for Resolute Castle 16 (RC16). RC 16 is a UASREUR -led training operation spanning across Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia, and Romania.
The 269th Military Police Company, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is at NSTA providing security support for the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard and conducting cross-training exercises with the Bulgarian Military Police. Soldiers from the 269th Military Police Company, along with Marines with the Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Logistics Combat Element and the Black Sea Rotational Force, Combined Arms Company were invited to an open doors display event by the Director of Military Police Regional Department, Col. Deyan Cvetkov. This event gave the U.S. soldiers the opportunity to interact with local teenagers and show the community the relationship between U.S. and Bulgarian forces.
"The static display of mission equipment in Sliven, Bulgaria was a very successful event", says Staff Sgt. Jason Martin, State Partnership Training Coordinator with the 269th Military Police Company, 194th Engineer Brigade Tennessee Army National Guard.
The 269th Military Police Company is conducting a 3-week rotation at NSTA providing Force Protection assistance.
"It was not only fun to be a part of this event, but it was very informative too by learning from the Bulgarian Forces and their capabilities with vehicles, equipment, and weapon systems. We brought an M1151 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle, more commonly known as the Humvee, which was a huge hit with the kids. It was a great chance to learn about the culture of the Bulgarian kids and they were anxious to ask questions about how we live in the United States," stated Staff Sgt. Martin.
The event was held at the Bulgarian Military Police Regional Department in Sliven, Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Military Police Department organized this event with the participation of local high school students from the Mathematics High School and the Foreign Languages High School and residents of the Sliven community. U.S. soldiers were invited to bring U.S. Military vehicles and equipment to display for the local community to view.
Another sergeant presenting at the event was Sergeant David Caldwell, a Military Police sergeant with the 269th Military Police Company, 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard. Sgt. Caldwell had the opportunity to show participants how one of the military vehicles, a Humvee, worked.
"It was wonderful being able to participate in the static display in Sliven. Not only being able to interact with other agencies and branches, but with the local residents as well. I believe it showed that we are excited with our partnership with the Bulgarians as well as allowing the community to ask questions and get to know us a little better," says Sgt. David Caldwell. The community members present were able to get inside of the Humvee, ask questions, and get a better understanding of U.S. military vehicles.
This event provided both U.S. Army soldiers and Marines the opportunity to work alongside each other and the Bulgarian Military Police to show the great partnership between the U.S. and Bulgaria. The static display awarded both militaries the chance to learn from one another and to increase the interoperability between coalition forces.
"This event was great, I am glad to have the opportunity to go out and interact with the locals here in Bulgaria. They asked me a lot of questions about the vehicle I drove out there and what my job is in the military. I'm glad they were able to try on our gear and actually get inside of the 7-ton truck we brought with us, they were pretty excited when they did and it was something I enjoyed doing," says Lance Cpl. Christina Flores with the Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Logistics Combat Element. Lance Cpl. Flores is a vehicle motor operator with the United States Marine Corps. She had the opportunity to share her knowledge and capabilities with the Bulgarian Military Police at the static display event, as well as interacting with the local teenagers.
Capt. Timothy Butler, Company Commander with the 269th Military Police Company, 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, was very grateful for this opportunity and pleased with the opportunity to demonstrate the United States Military's good will.
"The open house event on June 1, 2016 at the Bulgarian Military Police Provincial Headquarters in Sliven was a great success for the community and city of Sliven. It is important that the local community has an understanding of the partnership outside of NSTA, so that there isn't any misconception of the NATO partnership. This event is also a great experience for my Soldiers who were able to share knowledge and experiences with weapon systems and vehicle capabilities. This is certainly an event that should be sustained and even expanded upon," stated Capt. Butler.
Most importantly, Butler stated the display "allowed many local students of all ages to witness first-hand experience the partnership between the US forces and Bulgarian forces."
As this partnership continues, Service members like Sgt. Caldwell, Staff Sgt. Martin, and Capt. Butler look forward to the benefits of regional security and a positive relationship between Bulgaria and the United States.
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