(TAPA, ESTONIA) -- Soldiers assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted squad training during a live fire exercise July 29, 2016 at Tapa Training Area, Estonia.
"We are here to show the Estonian people and government that the U.S. backs them up," said 2nd Lt. Clark Kerner, a native of Lancaster, PA and an armor officer with A-Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., "It shows that we value our NATO allies and the treaty that we have."
The soldiers of 3rd Battalion are training with their Baltic allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. lead effort to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
"We are used for seizing, gaining, and holding land objectives so we can complete the platoon, the company, and the overall battalion's mission," said Sgt. Cory Backeterski, a native of Sycamore, IL, and an infantryman with A-Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.
The live fire training took place at individual, team and squad level and involved a variety of scenarios and many different weapons systems.
"The training is important because it helps develop squad cohesion and the ability to effectively move in and engage the enemy in close quarters," said Backeterski.
"We are also building a relationship with the Estonian armed forces as well as the other armed forces stationed here such as Poland, Britain, and Germany," said Kerner. He continued that they were working to train with allies now so that there won't be difficulty learning each other's tactics if a threat arises in the future.
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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
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