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U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment clear a building during a military operations in urban terrain exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Mar. 3, 2026. The Soldiers utilized simulated fragmentation grenades and blank ammunition while training against opposing forces portrayed by British Army soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment during the company situational training exercise. U.S. forces in Europe conduct multinational training to enhance readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Allen)
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A U.S. soldier assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment advances through a smoke-covered objective during a military operation in urban terrain at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Mar. 3, 2026. The unit employed smoke to obscure movement and facilitate room clearing operations while engaging opposing forces using blank ammunition during the exercise. U.S. forces in Europe conduct multinational training to enhance readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Allen)
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U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment maneuver under the cover of smoke during a military operations in urban terrain assault at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Mar. 3, 2026. Soldiers utilized smoke and simulated fragmentation grenades while conducting building clearing procedures against opposing forces British Army soldiers during a company situational training exercise. U.S. forces in Europe conduct multinational training to enhance readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Allen)
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A U.S. Soldier assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment moves tactically through smoke while clearing an urban objective during a company situational training exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Mar. 3, 2026. The training paired U.S. forces conducting offensive room clearing procedures against British Army soldiers defending as opposing forces. U.S. forces in Europe conduct multinational training to enhance readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Allen)
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U.S. Army Captain Hamish MacKellar, officer commanding Anti-Tank Platoon, ISR Group, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment “The Poachers,” conducts final checks while serving as opposing forces during a company situational training exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, March 3, 2026. MacKellar ensured OPFOR elements were prepared prior to the start of a military operation in urban terrain involving U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. forces in Europe conduct multinational training to enhance readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Allen)
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U.S. Army Pfc. Jeremiah Trevino, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, operates a radio during a company situational training exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, March 3, 2026. Trevino used radio communications to coordinate soldier movements while maneuvering to an objective. U.S. forces in Europe routinely conduct training in Poland to maintain readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Andre Gremillion Jr.)
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U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Giomi, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, advances during a company situational training exercise lanes at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, March 3, 2026. The training focused on platoon movement and objective assault procedures. U.S. forces in Europe routinely conduct training in Poland to maintain readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Andre Gremillion Jr.)
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U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, run toward an objective during a company situational training exercise lanes at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, March 3, 2026. The training focused on platoon movement and objective assault procedures. U.S. forces in Europe routinely conduct training in Poland to maintain readiness and strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Andre Gremillion Jr.)
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BEMOWO PISKIE, Poland — U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, trained alongside Romanian, British, and Polish soldiers during company situational training exercise lanes March 2-3, 2026, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area.
“Company STX is where we put the squad through a full problem, not just one drill,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryen O'Donnell, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. “We had to move as a team, stay organized, and execute the task the right way.”
The lanes included mounted and dismounted movement and tasks in an urban training area.
“We conducted Battle Drill 6 which involved entering and clearing a room very well.” O’Donnell said. “The standard is simple. Control your movement, communicate, and clear methodically.”
U.S. Army Spc. Steven Kiritajima, a squad automatic weapon gunner with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, said his role required constant scanning and quick engagement decisions during movement.
“As the SAW gunner, I’m responsible for security and I’m watching above us, too,” Kiritajima said. “If a drone shows up, I need to identify it fast and engage if required.”
Kiritajima said the lane required teams to manage more actions at the same time than earlier iterations.
“This one had more moving pieces,” he said. “You’re tracking what’s happening in front of you, on your flanks, and overhead.”
Kiritajima said the presence of unmanned aircraft changed how he thinks about security in built-up terrain.
“With drones, the fight isn’t just left and right anymore,” Kiritajima said. “It’s three-dimensional.”
The scenario also incorporated casualty care during tactical movement. O’Donnell said Combat Lifesaver-trained soldiers provided treatment during the lane as part of the training. O’Donnell emphasised the lanes brought multiple nations into the same training problem to learn under shared task standards.
“Training with Romanian, British and Polish soldiers put everyone on the same page,” O’Donnell said. “We had to communicate clearly and execute the fundamentals the same way.”
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