ZAGAN, Poland -- Soldiers with the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Iron Brigade), demonstrated communication capabilities of U.S. Army radio systems for Polish soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, Mar. 10, 2017 here.
The Fort Carson-based brigade is part of a continuous "heel-to-toe" rotation through the European theater as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The U.S. and its Allies are making strides toward interoperability by training together and implementing innovative solutions to common communication capability gaps.
"They set up training for us, which was really enjoyable," said Capt. James Carey, commander of Company C, 588th BEB, 3rd ABCT, 4th ID. "We got the chance to go there, see their equipment and work directly with the Polish signal soldiers. Then we got the opportunity to showcase all of our equipment for them, to really demonstrate how a lot of our radio systems are very similar and that we have the ability to communicate in a field or tactical environment."
Carey also discussed showcasing the similarities between both nations' communication systems and highlighted benefits gained from today's event.
"A lot of the benefits are really about the knowledge, understanding that the systems aren't that difficult, the systems are very similar and having a solution to be able to communicate between the nations," Carey said. "That is the biggest win for both nation in interoperability."
During the communication static display, leaders and Soldiers with Company C, 588th BEB, 4th ID demonstrated the communication systems and signal capabilities used to support the brigade.
"The equipment that the Polish Army has, closely matches the equipment we use," said Staff Sgt. Alexander Graybill, platoon sergeant of 2nd Platoon, Company C, 588th BEB, 3rd ABCT, 4th ID. "Today we found out that a lot of our equipment can talk to Polish equipment and we can talk through it with each other, so that really broke down some boundaries with our Allies."
Maintaining combat readiness continues to be a top priority for the brigade, as well as training with NATO Allies here in the European theater. The brigade's participation in Operation Atlantic Resolve provides unique opportunities to familiarize Soldiers with their multinational counterparts while in a complex security environment.
"The surprising and energizing factor of this whole training is that the Polish soldiers are very eager to work with us," Carey said. "They're very willing to set up and show us their equipment, they're very willing to come out to see our equipment; [and they are] just very hands on and willing to participate and increase interoperability, which is really breathtaking and encouraging for future missions and endeavors."
The Iron Brigade's deployment of more than 2,000 pieces of equipment from Fort Carson, Colorado, to aggregation sites in seven countries is evidence of NATO's ability to facilitate the quick assembly of forces to deter aggression.
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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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