Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
1 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army vehicles with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, convoy to their position in "the box" during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Ger... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
2 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two U.S. Army M1 Abrams Tanks with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, search for an optimal defensive position during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
3 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier takes a breather after successfully defending against an attack by Opposing Forces (OPFOR), before moving forward to defend their position, during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
4 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier maneuvers toward Opposing Forces (OPFOR) and take up a defensive position, A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier prepares to fire at Opposing Forces (OPFOR), during the culminating force on force exercise of ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
5 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier slowly maneuvers forward down a dirt road while defending against an offensive push by Opposing Forces (OPFOR), during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
6 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ukrainian soldiers roll out in a BMP-1 amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle, to defend against Opposing Forces (OPFOR) during a simulated battle in "the box" during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
7 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier with the Opposing Forces (OPFOR) looks out of his track vehicle prior to advancing toward an objective, during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfel... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
8 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier calls for support as he moves forward to intercept Opposing Forces (OPFOR), during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
9 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier fires at Opposing Forces (OPFOR) trying to advance forward, during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany Aug. 19, 2019... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
10 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Ukrainian mechanized infantry soldier takes cover from Opposing Forces (OPFOR), amidst a simulated battle during Combined Resolve XII in Hohenfels Training Area, Germany Aug. 19, 2019. Combined Resolve is a biannual U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army Tr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
11 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ukranian soldiers in a BMP-1 amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle, roll out to defend against Opposing Forces (OPFOR) during a simulated battle in "the box" during the culminating force on force exercise at Combined Resolve XII in Hohenfels T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Combined Resolve XII: Friend or Foe
12 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, turns a corner enroute to a new location in "the box" during the culminating force on force exercise of Combined Resolve XII at the Joint Multinational ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- Ever since our nation's earliest military endeavors, the outcome of some of history's most important battles have been determined by our ability to effectively communicate and determine friend or foe on the battlefield. For the past week some 5,000 service members from 21 nations have been tasked with this challenge during Combined Resolve XII, a semiannual multinational exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany from Aug. 15-27, 2019.

Assets from armored vehicles to light infantrymen are represented from NATO allies and partner nations as well as the opposing forces (OPFOR) during CBR XII. Making things more interesting, is the fact that soldiers and armored vehicles from nations such as Ukraine, are represented on both sides respectively.

"Friendly Ukrainians have the dark olive [vehicles], some of them the BDU pattern and Americans mostly have tan tanks, some BDU [pattern]," explains U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Michael Sticco, platoon leader for Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

During this years Combined Resolve exercise there is a huge variation of uniforms, vehicles and combat power, with everyone bringing something different to the fight. Exercises like CBR are perfect to address and work through these challenges and turn them into advantages to use for any given future mission together.

"Sometimes you can't [tell them apart], it's hard, it really is a struggle," said Sticco. "A little more cross talk between the different nationalities might help bridge that, just socializing or something as basic as that."

According to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Corey Tierney, an observer coach/trainer for the Timberwolf OC/T Team, the Ukrainians will have a U.S. Soldier embedded as a liaison officer. 3rd Bn., 66th Ar. Reg. also has an interpreter to further assist with the language barrier. The U.S. led allied forces can then communicate directly with the Ukrainians through their LNO and translator, as needed.

"This way, when the Ukrainian commander has a question, he'll go to his LNOs and his LNOs will bring it up to 3-66," explained Tierney. "It is difficult, and it takes a lot of cross coordination."

The necessity to communicate extends from heavy armored vehicles to light infantrymen on both sides and doing it effectively takes time and practice. This ability to communicate is key in reducing friendly fire and exponentially increase our ability to accomplish any given mission.

"Once we see a vehicle that we suspect is an enemy, we always call that up," said Sticco. "If I can't personally identify it I have other people in my company, a couple of hundred kilometers East of here, who can identify it better. At that point it's about who has the best shot. Take it. Got it. Done."

This exercise allows U.S. forces to demonstrate their ability to communicate, fight and win against an equally capable force, along with allies and partners in the European theater. It is a fundamental exercise for rotational units supporting U.S. Army Europe.

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