TRZEBIEN, Poland -- Just before the dense morning fog began to lift, the sound of tanks roared to life as crews geared up and prepared their weapon systems for the day ahead.
The Company D "Dark Knights", of 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a training rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, conducted crew gunnery qualification tables three and four in Trzebien, Poland, July 28.
The qualification tables evaluate each crew's ability to engage stationary and moving targets with available weapon systems mounted in the M1A2 Abrams tank and M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
"The training essentially emphasizes key tasks that will be necessary as we move toward platoon qualification and a company live-fire exercise," said 1st Lt. Kwesi Campbell, platoon leader, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.
Each crew member fulfills a particular piece of the moving puzzle, Campbell explained. The gunner is responsible for accurately acquiring targets while the driver adeptly maneuvers the vehicle downrange, both under the direction of the tank commander. Everyone works together to establish crew synchronization.
"It's not necessarily about relying on the electronics, but rather using them as an advantage and knowing how to operate the tank in case the electronics fail," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Frisbie, Abrams tank commander, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.
Crew gunnery provides soldiers the opportunity to really perfect their craft and learn to rely on their battle buddies to the left and right, Frisbie explained. The soldiers become more proficient and establish a foundation to build their careers on. Frisbee hopes they will be able to instill these skills in their own crews once they become tank commanders.
"Learn your job better every day," said Spc. Joshua Bomberg, Abrams driver, D Co., 3rd Bn, 69th Arm. Rgmt., "I've been a driver for two and a half years and every time I go out, I try to make myself a better driver and help the crew out as much as I can."
Dark Knight soldiers will continue to train here for the rest of their rotation at Operation Atlantic Resolve to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.
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