NOVO SELO TRAINIG AREA, Bulgaria -- The Soldiers of Anvil and Bayonet Companies, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment have rolled out to the fields of Bulgaria for their last gunnery this rotation. The unit was in the field to conduct the final task of their six-month deployment: Table VI Crew Qualification Gunnery range; which took place Aug. 19-25.
"This range is our lowest live-fire qualification," said Sgt. 1st Class William O'Neal, who serves as the battalion's Abrams Tank Master Gunner. "For us, the tank or Bradley is our primary combat platform, much like the M-4 rifle is for other Soldiers. Each crew must be able to qualify twice a year, before moving on to platoon and company level qualification."
To qualify, the crew must hit a minimum of seven out of 10 timed pop-up targets of various distances with the different types of weapons systems on the vehicle.
Unlike many deployments, units deployed to Operation Atlantic Resolve are actually able to increase their training readiness while deployed. One of the reasons the unit is able to do this is because of the close relationship between U.S. and allied militaries in Eastern Europe.
"It's great that we can train here," said Capt. Samuel Herbert, Anvil Company commander. "The Bulgarians have been very supportive of our efforts."
Along with access to the training area, Bulgaria affords the companies training opportunities that they don't have in Georgia.
"This is a different type of terrain then we have at Fort Stewart," said 1st Sgt. Dennis Kirk, Bayonet Company. "It's also nice that the training areas are right here, so it is easy to get to and from there." Kirk said in Georgia, where his unit is from, the training areas are about 45 minutes away from the company.
Kirk also said that being in Bulgaria means they have more time to train.
"We have the Soldiers' undivided attention here," he said. "There isn't the distraction here that you find back home."
Anvil and Bayonet Companies, along with the rest of the battalion, have been in Eastern Europe since April in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.
During their time deployed, the unit has participated in four multinational exercises, Operation Strike-Back in Bulgaria, Saber Guardian 16 in Romania, Anakonda 16 in Poland and Operation Noble Partner in Georgia, as well as numerous unit level training events. Their time here has helped refine their gunnery skills and also provided them important lessons in working and training with an allied military.
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