Just 10 days after their armor vehicles rolled off cargo ships in Germany, tank and Bradley fighting vehicle crews from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fired their first rounds in Europe today at training areas in Poland.
The live-fire training provided crews from the brigade's 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, their first opportunity to zero their Bradleys' main guns and complete the Live Fire Accuracy Screening Test (LFAST) for the M1A2 Abrams tank. The equipment began being offloaded Jan. 6 from ships at the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, and arrived by rail over the past week.
"We have only been on the ground in Poland less than 10 days, and we're already conducting a live-fire accuracy screen table showing that we can build combat power rapidly and the speed of assembly that comes with it," said Lt. Col. Stephen Capehart, 1-68 Armor Regt. commander. "Readiness doesn't end. We will validate our equipment and crews so that, if the need ever were to arise, they are ready to face any form of aggression."
The training by 1-68 Armor Regt. and 1-8 Inf. Regt. occurred at tank ranges in Zagan and Swietoszow in western Poland.
The 3/4 ABCT's arrival to Europe marks the start of continuous, "heel-to-toe" rotations of armored brigades in Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. This rotation will enhance deterrence capabilities in the region, improve the U.S. ability to respond to potential crises and defend NATO allies and partners in the European community.
Video B-roll, photos and full print and video stories will be available on DVIDS at the 24th Press Camp Headquarters page at http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/24PCH/.
For more information on the brigade's mission in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, contact Capt. Scott Walters, 3/4 ABCT PAO, wendel.s.walters.mil@mail.mil or +49 172-832-8375.
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