– Time spent at the Wędrzyn training ground was devoted both to improving the soldiers’ individual skills and, above all, to coordinating the teams forming the security platoons, as during the last week of May all teams underwent a training assessment—a certification—says Capt. Monika Wywiórka of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów. – This most important element of the May training consisted of a tactical part and a live-fire part.
The tactical part consisted of a circuit with individual tasks at various points. The teams were tested on engineer procedures, approaching a building and entering rooms, guiding in a helicopter, conducting patrols and organizing checkpoints, providing first aid and protecting a VIP.
Capt. M. Wywiórka:
Despite the high intensity of daytime operations, the soldiers being tested had to retain enough energy to carry out tasks at observation posts at night and respond appropriately to simulated incidents.
The live-fire part completed the certification. It involved a tactical firing exercise—an assault on a hill. At first glance, it might seem that with so much firearms training, no shooting exercise should pose difficulties for the soldiers. In this case, however, the targets were located on a rise above the shooters; moreover, wearing body armor and all their equipment increased the soldiers’ weight by an average of approximately 20 kg. Carrying the extra weight, in full sunlight, and running uphill across successive lines presented a considerable challenge. Ultimately, the Świętoszów armored troops completed all the tasks flawlessly, as demonstrated by their firing results.
The team certification marked the culmination of the May stay at the Wędrzyn training ground. The soldiers of the XIII rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan are not slowing down. After returning to Świętoszów, they continue intensive training and are moving on to the platoon coordination stage, with another certification—this time at platoon level—in prospect. And departure is drawing ever closer…