10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów: – The culmination of the Karakal-22 tactical exercise was the live-fire phase, during which the American tank and cavalry subunits of 3ABCT (US) carried out live-fire tasks in defense, the German subunit carried out live-fire tasks in the attack, while the Polish mechanized and tank subunits from 10BKPanc and the motorized subunit from 17WBZ carried out live-fire tasks in the attack and defense.
The Świętoszów and American artillery participating in the exercise also provided effective support. Anti-aircraft cover was provided by an anti-aircraft battalion. Air support for the firing subunits was provided by the Polish Air Force (comprising a pair of F-16 and SU-22 aircraft) and Army Aviation (in the form of a pair of Mi-24 attack helicopters).
First, reconnaissance subunits reported detecting elements of the simulated enemy. The summoned F-16 multirole fighters bombed them, and Mi-24 attack helicopters then entered the action. Later, Abrams and Leopard tanks, as well as Bradley, Marder and BWP-1 combat vehicles, opened fire on the detected targets. After detecting the enemy’s artillery battery, the commander decided to call in aircraft and strike the detected target.
Brigade:
It should be remembered that the MILES laser system was very helpful in reproducing real combat. It is installed on most of the equipment participating in the exercise, including Polish Leopard tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as American Abrams tanks and Bradley vehicles and German Marders. This gave commanders a better overview of the exercise and enabled them to assess losses more easily, as well as draw conclusions from the actions taken.
One of the key elements throughout the exercise was cooperation with allied forces. As the commander of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Col. Grzegorz Barabieda noted: – The fact that the equipment differs is irrelevant. Each subunit involved has its own capabilities and receives tasks suited to them. Their commanders cooperate with one another throughout, and this cooperation is based on NATO procedures, which we all know very well.