4th Public Affairs Detachment
June 19, 2015
Learning and growing together, one level at a time
Story by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland
NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria: The American and Bulgarian soldiers dismounted from their respective military vehicles, filing separately then forming one united force before entering the crumbling, dilapidated three-story building. While the soldiers did not know what challenges awaited them inside the building as they rounded each corner, they knew that they could competently face any foe encountered together.
Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, joined Bulgarian Army special forces soldiers as they conducted a cordon and search joint training exercise during Kabile 15, a multilateral joint training exercise, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, June 17.
“We conducted outer and inner cordon methods, then moved in with the Bulgarian special forces team to assault the actual objective, where there were two high-value targets in the building,” said 1st Lt. Paul T. Merten, a platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Eagle Troop, 2/2 CR and a native of Corvallis, Ore. “We divided up the different levels of the building, then went in and captured the targets and brought them out, working as a united team to get the mission accomplished successfully.”
During the planning and execution phases of the exercise, the NATO allies learned to work together as a united front to tackle the mission, despite differences.
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The soldiers from each side were able to walk away from the training exercise with lasting positives gained from the experience, creating a strong bond with new allies from thousands of miles from home.
“We are confident that we are able to rely on our NATO allies, and know what we can do together to combat any potential threats,” said Merten…
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