ORZYSZ, Poland -- For the second time this year, the 2d Cavalry Regiment deployed a Squadron of soldiers to the Battle Group Poland in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's enhanced Forward Presence initiative. The 2nd Sqdn., 2CR deployed to the BGP in March 2017 and will be replaced by the 3rd Sqdn., 2CR later this month.
The Wolfpack Sqdn. began their forward deployment from Rose Barracks, Germany to Orzysz, Poland, Oct. 9, 2017. The Sqdn. traveled in two serials along separate routes along with the British Army Light Dragoons Element.
Along the route, refuel on the move sights were identified for the convoy element to stop. These sights allowed for the soldiers to refuel their assigned vehicles, conduct maintenance operations and reset for the remainder of the drive.
"My mission today is to ensure that all military vehicles get put where they are needed at each stop," said Spc. Adan Castillo, 3/2CR ROM site road guard. "The first chalk comes in, they pull up and I ground guide them to where they need to go so the military vehicles can fuel up and do whatever they need to do."
Each night, the Wolfpack Sqdn. stopped at an identified rest over night point. These locations were selected through coordination with the NATO Forces Integration Unit and ensured the soldiers met the required amount of rest hours before continuing on to their next assigned RON sight.
En route to their final destination, soldiers from Lightning Troop, 3/2CR stopped in Bydgoszcz, Poland to participate in NATO Day with the local community, Oct. 14. The engagement team provided static displays of weapon systems and military vehicles. The soldiers had the opportunity to interact with the local community throughout the day.
"We are just training here in Poland to show our support for the Polish military, show them how we train and just to support NATO and NATO efforts while we're here," said Capt. Russell Tabolt, Lightning Troop, 3/2CR commander.
The following day, soldiers from the Kronos Troop, 3/2CR, provided similar displays for the community of Elblag, Poland. In addition to seeing the inside of the Strykers and interacting with the American soldiers, children were able to have their faces camouflaged throughout the event.
"Our Squadron was tasked to maintain the [Battle Group] Poland and our task for the next months is to establish and continue training with our multinational coalition partners," said Capt. Yevgen Gutman, Kronos Troop, 3/2CR commander.
After more than 1,100 kilometers of travel, the Wolfpack Sqdn. arrived to the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Oct. 15.
"Our formation, which includes soldiers from Croatia, Romania, the United Kingdom, as well as soldiers from the United States, will show [sic.] the opportunity for us to highlight our NATO resolve and the NATO alliance," said Lt. Col. Scott Cheney, the incoming BGP commander.
Cheney will assume command of the battle group from Lt. Col. Christopher L'Heureux during the transfer of authority scheduled for Oct. 20, 2017.
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