Story by Pvt. Caleb Minor, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
DRAWSKO POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, POLAND - Service members from the United States and Poland gather April 26, 2019, at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area (DTPA), Poland, to attend the opening ceremony for Resolute Castle 19 (RC19) a joint exercise occurring from April to September.
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Polish and U.S. service members stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Resolute Castle 2019, at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, April 26, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Caleb Minor)
This is the second year Poland is hosting this multinational, joint exercise, which helps reinforce regional partnerships and promote interoperability with host nation forces.
Resolute Castle is designed to show mission readiness, said Deputy Commander Support, 416th Theater Engineer Command, Brig. Gen. Matt Baker. This exercise reinforces the idea of readiness and ensures we are a cohesive unit with our partners in Eastern Europe, so that if there is ever a regional crisis we ll be prepared.
RC19 provides U.S., NATO allied and partner forces the ability to develop communication skills and joint understanding during a training exercise with real world consequences. In addition to the U.S., this exercise will include participants from the United Kingdom Army, Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Danish Army, Polish Land Forces and Romanian Land Forces.
The most important part of Resolute Castle is the international partnerships it develops, said 389th Engineer Battalion Forward officer in charge, Maj. Steven Thompson. It s great to see the United States and Poland come together and work side by side while forming a great relationship.
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Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Resolute Castle 2019, at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, April 26, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Caleb Minor)
Through this demonstration of capabilities among the U.S., NATO Allied Forces and their partners, these countries aim to strengthen Poland s structural defense against all potential adversaries and maintain a healthy alliance between the allied and partner forces. Exercises, such as RC19, send a clear message that the U.S., along with its allies and partners, skillfully work together for collective defense.
When the training exercise wraps up in the fall, the joint forces' goal is to have a stronger bond throughout the process of completing a 350-meter mobile armor target (MAT), a fuel point called the FSSP, range road construction, and work on finishing projects from last year s Resolute Castle. Completing these projects will help strengthen Poland s defenses in the event of an attack by potential adversaries.