Military students in the fifth year of the armoured warfare programme have already gained knowledge in Świętoszów more than once. “As part of our training cycle, we come to Świętoszów every year—this is already our fifth time. Each time, it is an opportunity for us to gain thorough knowledge and skills; this time, also practical ones: we are firing our first rounds with live ammunition. We are very well prepared and have been assessed by the instructors from the Leopard Training Centre. We like the equipment very much and are pleased with the opportunity to train in the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade,” said cadet sergeant Michał Rybsztad.
The young tank soldiers deepened their theoretical knowledge during a visit to the OSL in the second half of 2015. At that time, they learned about the construction, operation and firing procedures of the Leopard 2 tank. They are now practising on simulators, conducting tank firing exercises using the AGDUS laser firing simulator, carrying out preparatory firing exercises with the MG-3 machine gun mounted coaxially with the cannon, and, finally, firing the cannon with 120 mm ammunition during the day and at night. They conducted firing exercises at all positions except that of the driver: as gunners, loaders and commanders. After passing the firing exercises, the cadets received a beret badge and a miniature Leopard 2A4 tank from OSL commandant Major Krzysztof Kacperek.
WSOWL students remained at the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade until 6 April; from Monday, they trained on simulators, including the AGPT tank platoon combat simulator, as platoon commanders. This is intended to prepare them comprehensively to serve as crew and platoon commanders.
Capt. Adriana Wołyńska/ii