3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training

By Pfc. James Dutkavich, 24th Press Camp HeadquartersSeptember 6, 2016

3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. William Russel a Soldier from 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia prepares his M2A2 Bradley for a live fire exercise that took place August 30, 2016 at Pabrade, Lithuania. Th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas prepares to land his UH-60 Black Hawk for a live fire exercise that took place August 30, 2016 at Pabrade, Lithuan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia engage targets while taking cover during a live fire exercise that took place August 30, 2016 at Pabrade, Lithuania. This exe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Jessie Ramirez, Cpl. Christopher Shriner, Spc Steven Friscia (From left to right) from the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia prepare to breach and clear a room during a liv... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The door gunner of a UH-60 Black Hawk, from the 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas prepares his M240B for a live fire exercise that took place August 30, 2016 at Pabrad... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3/69 Armor Soldiers leverage Black Hawks during Eastern European live fire training
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers move out on the objective under illumination rounds during the night iteration of a live fire exercise that took place August 30, 2016 at Pabrade, Lithuania. This exercise was part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being condu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

(PABRADE, LITHUANIA) --Soldiers from Battle Company, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division based out of Fort Stewart, Ga. conducted a joint live fire exercise August 30, 2016 in Pabrade, Lithuania.

Soldiers executed a live-fire event that was a cumulative representation of all their training thus far. They used a variety of vehicles and weapons during this exercise including the M1A2 Abrams tank, M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicle with support from UH-60 Black Hawks.

3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas, provided aviation support. Black Hawks being integrated into the mission is something that was new to some of the infantry Soldiers.

During the live fire Soldiers breached objectives and volleyed towards a checkpoint while Bradleys and Abrams tanks engaged their targets.

All of this was conducted in the same manner during the night iteration using mortar illumination rounds to light the sky so that Battle Company Soldiers could move to their objective. This type of training goes hand in hand with the 3rd Bn. 69th Arm. Rgmt.'s motto, "Speed and Power".

This was the first time that all of these elements were operating and firing at the same time in the same mission. The incorporation of aerial support in this training was a valuable addition to the unit.

"This training is a very unique opportunity to us because being in a mechanized unit we don't always get aviation assets. They are mechanized infantry men, so they need to know the mechanized fight and the dismounted fight," said Capt. Joel Marbut, native of, Athens, Ala., Battle Company commander. "This is only the second time that I've seen air assets being used since I've been with the battalion and on Fort Stewart. Its very unique and a great opportunity for the Soldiers."

The Soldiers from Battle Company are training with allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.

"There is nothing better than being in another country to help," said Spc. Dwight Hill, Battle Company Bradley driver and a native of Virginia Beach, VA., "especially NATO because it's one team one fight."

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