US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Polish Armed Forces Commander, Gen. Jarosław Mika and Polish Land Forces 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander, Col. Piotr Fajkowski, salute Battle Group Poland soldiers during the Battle Group Poland handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony demonstrated NATO's continued commitment to the collective defense and security of our allies on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski greets Romania Ambassador to Poland, Cosmin Onisii during the Battle Group Poland handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony signified Battle Group Poland's continued and persistent presence on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment stand in formation during the Battle Group Poland handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony signified Battle Group Poland's continued and persistent presence on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment salute the Polish flag during the Battle Group Poland handover take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony signified Battle Group Poland's continued and persistent presence on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski stands with U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Trychon, the U.S. Embassy in Poland Defense Attache and U.S. Army National Guard soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. Brezinski received a tour of the different military vehicles and capabilities, promoting an engaged, postured and credible force to assure, deter and defend NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jameson Harris) (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Deputy Commanding General for Army National Guard, Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski and Polish Land Forces 16th Mechanized Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Krzysztof Radomski walk and talk before the Battle Group Poland hand over, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony demonstrated NATO's continued commitment to the collective defense and security of our allies on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jameson Harris) (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL

BEMOWO PISKIE, Poland – NATO Battle Group Poland held a transfer of authority ceremony from the 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment to the 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment on Feb. 11, 2022.

US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The incoming Battle Group Poland Commander, Lt. Col. Trevor Phillips, assigned to 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment, received the Battle Group Poland guidon during a handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony demonstrated NATO's continued commitment to the collective defense and security of our allies on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment stand in formation during a handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony demonstrated NATO's continued commitment to the collective defense and security of our allies on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka) VIEW ORIGINAL

On the 5th anniversary of the battle group, this hand over, take over (HOTO) ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the outgoing unit to prepare for the continued success of the incoming unit.

US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Craig Broyles, the outgoing commander of Battle Group Poland, delivers a farewell speech at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. Lt. Col. Broyles and the 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment served nine months in Poland, supporting NATO Allies and building solidarity in partnership. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jameson Harris) (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Trevor Phillips, incoming commander of Battle Group Poland, delivers a speech during a handover, take over ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. The ceremony signified NATO's continued commitment to the collective defense and security of our allies on NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jameson Harris) (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL

Five years as a battle group. Five years as a team. Five years as a defensive force. All of this to prove NATO is a robust and multinational military presence in Eastern Europe.

Today, men and women in uniform from over 20 Allies serve, train and exercise together, representing a strong expression of alliance, unity and solidarity. U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Craig Broyles, the outgoing commander of Battle Group Poland, describes working with NATO and Eastern European allies as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“This has probably been the greatest experience in my whole 21 years in the military,” said Broyles.

The ceremony brought together multiple dignitaries and key leaders from the U.S. Army and NATO chains of command, in support of the mission and alliance. It sent a clear message that NATO stands united toward a common goal - preserving peace.

“This speaks volumes of the commitment the United States has with our Polish allies,” said Broyles. “There is no better way [to show solidarity] than having everyone get together and this was the perfect opportunity to show it.”

To celebrate the Dark Rifles’ accomplishments, General Jarosław Mika, the Polish Armed Forces commander, awarded Lt. Col. Broyles the Bronze Medal of the Polish Army. Mika spoke to the crowd of NATO soldiers and leaders, thanking the 3-161 Dark Rifles for the excellent job they have done enhancing NATO’s forward presence in Eastern Europe.

US Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment takes the reigns of NATO's battle group in Poland
Polish Armed Forces Commander, General Jarosław Mika, awards U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Craig Broyles the Bronze Medal of the Polish Army at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. Lt. Col. Broyles and 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment helped build partnerships with Polish Allies to deter foreign adversaries during their nine-month deployment supporting the NATO alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jameson Harris) (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL

“You have had a significant impact on building interoperability and safety in Poland and this part of Europe,” said General Mika. “You have done tremendous work. Thank you for that.”

Out of everything the Dark Rifles accomplished, Lt. Col. Broyles was most proud of Rifle Focus. Rifle Focus was a massive training event where Battle Group Poland, the Polish, and NATO Allies got the opportunity to practice force-on-force warfare in Eastern Europe. It was a unique moment for the Polish people to witness the battle group’s warfighting capabilities.

It won’t stop there. U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Trevor Phillips, the incoming commander of Battle Group Poland, plans on picking up right where the Dark Rifles left off.

“I am grateful for all the hard work put in by your team,” Lt. Col. Phillips said behind the podium. “With me are hundreds of American men and women, each bred with traditional American concepts and values. No nation should ever stand alone when its ideals and principles face challenges.”

The Thunderbolts will build upon 3-161’s legacy and foundation by focusing on training against potential enemy formations. Even though units come and go, one thing remains the same: we are ready, credible and committed to the NATO alliance.