JMTC Transforms through Partnership and Training
What is it'
The Army's priorities are to prevail in the current conflict and build partner capacity. The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (1-4 IN) recently completed its 5-year deployment in Afghanistan and supported both objectives.
Since 2006, 1-4 IN - the only conventional unit to maintain a consistent presence in Afghanistan - partnered with and augmented the Romanian Land Forces (ROULF) with personnel, enablers, and operational experience. During the partnership, the Romanians developed new capacities, which resulted in an increased commitment to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) with the deployment of an additional battalion and brigade tactical command post to Afghanistan this year. Today, the 1-4 is back to being U.S. Army Europe's full-time Opposing Forces during training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany.
What has the Army done'
Each ISAF rotation, the 1-4 IN deployed a company-sized element, along with members of the Romanian Land Forces to Zabul.
The 1-4 IN Soldiers served under the tactical command of Romanian officers, while administrative support was provided by the major U.S. Army unit in the region. The Romanian's joint battalion task force participation was motivated by their desire to build a stronger relationship with U.S forces, develop similar capabilities, and to improve their military.
More than 1,400 Soldiers from 1-4 IN partnered with the Romanian forces. Eleven Soldiers were killed-in-action in support of the mission.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'
As the 1-4 continues to serve as Europe's professional Opposing Force Soldiers receive advanced tactics and techniques for Counter-IED, and this year the 1-4 will integrate tactics to support full-spectrum operations. The knowledge and expertise gained during the unit's five-year deployment supports a sustained flow of trained and ready U.S. and multinational forces for any contingency.
Why is this important to the Army'
The 1-4 IN mission was vital to relationship-building between forces in support of NATO and ISAF operations. These deployments provided stability and security to the Afghan people, while enhancing opposing force capability at the Hohenfels Training Area. The unit provided first-hand knowledge and current battlefield trends to more than 3,850 multinational soldiers and 11,000 U.S. military members in 2009 at homestation and abroad.
Resources:
Army.mil news release: <a href=" http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/01/13/50359-opfor-battalion-marks-completion-of-5-year-mission-in-afghanistan/index.html'ref=home-headline-title6" target="_blank">OPFOR battalion marks completion of 5-year mission in Afghanistan</a>
<a href="http://www.jmrc.hqjmtc.army.mil/" target="_blank"> Joint Multinational Readiness Center </a>
<a href="http://www.hqjmtc.army.mil/" target="_blank"> Joint Multinational Training Command </a>
See how training in Europe contributes to winning the fight in Afghanistan: <a href="http://www.hqjmtc.army.mil/Media/Training_Journal/TJ%20WINTER%202010-2011.pdf" target="_blank">JMTC Training Journal</a>
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