Story by 1st Lt. Eren Moses, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR)
“This is why we are here; to work side by side with our NATO allies and show how effective we can be as a united front,” said Sgt. Shaun Hollenkamp, 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment.
2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team participated in a 12-day training exercise in Rukla, Lithuania May 30.
“It is awesome to be a part of such a large military operation that includes so many different nations,” Hollenkamp, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle section sergeant, added.
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team infantrymen pose at the end of rapid integration training in preparation of the force-on-force portion of the Exercise Iron Wolf in Rukla, Lithuania, May 25. (Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Yair Da Costa, eFP Public Affairs Officer)
The multinational Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Lithuania were the headlining facilitators of the exercise. 2nd Batt. 8th Cav. Reg rapidly integrated a company-plus size element, within the Lithuanian Armed Forces, before serving as the opposing force, led by the Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group.
“The multinational presence in the Baltic region in support of our Lithuanian friends is a powerful symbol of NATO’s unreserved solidarity,” said Lt. Col. Sebastian Hebisch, EFP Lithuania commander.
About 4,000 service members from the United States, NATO allies and European partnered countries were involved in the multi-echelon training event.
“I can assure you that the men and women of Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Lithuania – whether they are from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, or Czech Republic – are doing an outstanding job. We will continue to make an essential contribution to the defense of the eastern flank of the Alliance in Lithuania,” Hebisch added.
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team alongside NATO allies and European partnered countries brief Lt. Col. Sebastian Hebisch, commander of Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, Lithuania on joint operations and schemes of maneuver for Exercise IRON WOLF in Rukla, Lithuania, May 25. (Photo courtesy of EFP Battle Group Lithuanian, Public Affairs)
Capt. Jake Andvik, commander, B.Company “Eager Arms,” 2nd Batt. 8th Cav. Reg., placed Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and dismounted Troopers in battle positions throughout the Lithuanian forest in preparation for the Force-on-Force field training exercise.
“We met our goal across the board. Between the joint operations in maneuvering, attacking, and defending; interoperability with our NATO allies continues to improve,” said Andvik.
The training schedule called for designated days in which certain forces would be the attacking element versus a defending force with the mission of holding key terrain on the battlefield.
Sgt. Shaun Hollenkamp, Bradley Fighting Vehicle section sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team smiles as he leads troopers to their battle positions during exercise Iron Wolf in Rukla, Lithuania, May 25. (Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Yair Da Costa, EFP Battle Group, Public Affairs Officer)
“Our NATO partners’ tactical skills and professionalism played a key role in our missions’ success,” Andvik added. “This multinational joint training provided me the opportunity to connect with leadership amongst our NATO partners as well as test the adaptability of my Troopers on the battlefield. It was an honor to be a part of such massive exercise and a great way to end our rotation here in Lithuania,” said Andvik