Polish, U.S. tanks lead the way during combined maneuver training

By Sgt. Justin Geiger, 7th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentMarch 17, 2017

Polish, U.S. tanks lead the way during combined maneuver training
A Polish Leopard 2A4 main battle tank leaves its battle position to begin the combined maneuver training at Range Joanna in Karliki, Poland March 15, 2017. Operation Atlantic Resolve provides the opportunity to hone skills and sustain the ability to ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ZAGAN, Poland -- Polish and U.S. armored forces dug into their individual battle positions, using the tree line for concealment and awaiting the operation order, tank crew members mentally prepare for a bilateral training event at Range Joanna in Karliki, Poland, March 15.

Two Polish platoons with the 1st Tank Battalion, 10th Armored Calvary Brigade hosted a combined tank maneuver exercise, integrating a U.S. tank platoon from Dakota Company, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team into the daylong training.

Throughout their nine-month-long deployment, 3rd ABCT will conduct combined training, which provides the opportunity to hone skills and sustain the ability to shoot, move and communicate alongside NATO Allies.

"Building on our tactical techniques sustains combat readiness as a result of having a mutual understanding about maneuver formation procedures," said Staff Sgt. Ian Brown, tank commander in 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT. "If something actually happened, we would be able to come together and develop a maneuver plan faster."

The day was spent training on maneuver formations and developing combined tactical techniques in preparation for upcoming NATO exercise as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

A Polish platoon leader acknowledged the unique opportunity to train alongside a U.S. tank platoon and the benefit gained from the experience.

"This is the first time that I've participated in this kind of exercise and it's very nice," said Polish 1st Lt. Michal Tyjewski, platoon leader in 1st Tank Battalion, 10th ACB. "The most important benefit is the additional experience that we would not be able to have if the U.S. Army weren't here."

Operation Atlantic Resolve enables NATO Allies to recognize and work through common difficulties to strengthen the bonds between the two nations.

"The most difficult hurdle, in the beginning, was the language barrier," said Tyjewski. "However, all the operation procedures are quite similar so even if the language is a little hard to understand, we can just use our combined procedures to overcome that barrier."

U.S. Army Europe is a leadership laboratory that empowers junior leaders to thrive in a complex operating environment.

Spc. Johnathan Garache, tank crewmen in 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT was one of the front-line troops conducting the maneuver training with the Polish soldiers.

"It's good to expand your horizon and be more open-minded," Garache said. "It's a learning experience, so when I become a noncommissioned officer I can pass that knowledge down to my Soldiers, teach them how other nations work and incorporate that into what we do."

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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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