US, Moldovan Soldiers partner for artillery training

By Staff Sgt. Leticia SamuelsOctober 8, 2019

SPP to NCNG: Moldovan FA trains with NCNG FA
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Moldovan National Army Lt. Victor Suceanu, a field artillery officer, fires an M777A2 Howitzer during a visit to the 139th Regional Training Institute at Fort Bragg on Aug. 12, 2019. The North Carolina National Guard has partnered with Moldova for ov... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SPP to NCNG: Moldovan FA trains with NCNG FA
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Jacob Carlile (left), a field artillery section chief student at the 139th Regional Training Institute, hands Moldovan National army Lt. Mihail Cosneanu, a field artillery officer, an M795 round for an M777A2 Howitzer during a visit to the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SPP to NCNG: Moldovan FA trains with NCNG FA
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – North Carolina National Guard Master Sgt. Kevin Glenn, a 139th Regional Training Institute instructor, explains firing procedures for an M109A6 Paladin to Moldovan National Army Capt. Boris Pigaci, a field artillery officer, during a visit to the 139... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SPP to NCNG: Moldovan FA trains with NCNG FA
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. Whitney Belwood (left), a field artillery section chief student at the 139th Regional Training Institute, hands Moldovan National Army Lt. Victor Suceanu, a field artillery officer, an M105 round for a M119A3 Howitzer during a visit to... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SPP to NCNG: Moldovan FA trains with NCNG FA
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – North Carolina National Guard Capt. David McDonald, a fire support officer assigned to 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment (right) explains the significance of their guideon to Moldovan National army field artillery officers during a visit ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Moldovan field artillery officers are visiting the NC National Guard's 139th Regional Training Institute as part of a State Partnership Program engagement from August 12 - 17, 2019.

SPP was established over two decades ago and fosters military-to-military and civilian-to-military activities maintaining international defensive security efforts while increasing peace and stability across the globe.

This visit allows officers to engage with National Guard field artillery soldiers during their cannon section chief Advanced Leader Course.

"This is important for the Moldovans because we have had two decades of partnership with Moldova and that helps with stability in that region," said Lt. Col. Brian Grey, the 1st Battalion, 139th Field Artillery Regiment commander. "This allows them to see how we do training, bring some lessons learned back to their country and increase professionalism. One of the things they are working toward is increasing the professionalism of their NCO core and mirroring what we have."

ALC is a branch-specific course providing intermediate noncommissioned officers an environment to enhance leadership skills, technical skills, tactical expertise and experience needed for branch-specific equipment and leading squad-sized units.

"This course teaches students how to be a section chief and what to expect," said Sgt. 1st Class Dean Joyce, primary instructor of the cannon section chief ALC iteration. "We train them on the M119A3 Howitzer, M109A6 Paladin and the M777A2 Howitzer. They get a broad spectrum evaluation on their attitude and leadership, written skills and are tested on weapons systems and classroom activities."

Joyce said he has traveled to Moldova three times and spoke on Moldovan interest in how their partners (NCNG) operate.

"They like the U.S. involvement over there," said Joyce. "They are very smart and well-educated artillerymen and it is nice to have them come over here to see how we do things at the schoolhouse."

The longstanding relationship between the NC National Guard and Moldova allows both nations to strengthen various relationships as well as continuing to fulfill the mentoring role. This particular opportunity allows Moldovan officers to highlight what to strengthen for their enlisted counterparts after returning to Moldova.

"We have some of the same techniques and procedures," said Moldovan Army Lt. Col. Ratchi Vladimir, head of the artillery department in Moldovan Army and first time U.S. visitor. "We are taking videos and pictures to show to students for them to use in our international exercises to gain interoperability with the U.S. Army. There is about a 20 percent difference in managing our systems but the duties for each crew is almost the same. There are different calibers and towing vehicles."

While at the 139th, Moldovan soldiers will also observe Tactical Operation Center operations, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire exercise, and shadow forward observers during live-fire exercises.

Later this year, NC National Guard Soldiers will be traveling to Moldova to participate in their annual Operation Fire Shield, an exercise used to broaden field artillery knowledge on various weapons systems with Moldovan and Romanian counterparts.

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