The Polish-American exercise is only beginning to gather pace. The soldiers will train until the first days of September, with joint tactics, live-fire exercises, mutual learning and gaining experience in an allied environment still ahead of them.
On Wednesday, July 20, the training was visited by the commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Col. Phill Brooks. The coordinator of the Americans’ training, Lieutenant Lamarca, summarized the first days spent at the Świętoszów training ground as follows:
During the training, we were particularly focused on cooperation with our colleagues from the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade. After the American forces encountered the enemy and engaged it in combat, we called for support—the colleagues from Świętoszów covered our backs. As a result, we managed to create an effective exercise. The objectives were achieved, and everything proceeded smoothly and without disruption. The Polish soldiers reacted quickly and appeared exactly when we needed them.
The Poles are not inferior to their allies in training, as Sergeant John Martinez from the 2nd Platoon confirms:
So far, we have been gaining wonderful experience training with our colleagues from Poland. We have the opportunity to use your training base and the vast expanses of the training area, where we can fully conduct a variety of training activities. We are impressed by how the Poles take care of the safety of their soldiers and of the entire training process. We place great emphasis on this, but for you it is the highest priority.
For the armored soldiers, this is another exercise in an international environment. Every such initiative provides an opportunity for development, gaining experience, learning, as well as sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues from allied armies.
kpt. Adriana Wołyńska/ii