Group photo during the Danish led NATO exercise. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Vega/Released)
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Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Vega, 126th Press Camp
Jutland, Denmark — Members of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, recently participated in a large scale Danish led NATO exercise. Following a week of training which focused on individual marksmanship and squad level movement techniques, Michigan National Guard Soldiers joined forces with Danish Home Guard Forces and fulfilled the role of opposition forces during the NATO training exercise. The exercise took place in the Danish countryside of Jutland and was conducted over the course of three days.
“We’ve learned allot about how to integrate Danish defense techniques into our own. I know I’m taking allot of these techniques and applying them to how I train my Soldiers in the future. After a few days of individual and squad training it was great to put it all together here during this exercise and watch it all work.” Stated Sergeant Brian Clark, Infantry Team Leader, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment.
During the exercise Soldiers combined techniques they were introduced to in the previous blocks of Danish led instruction and came together to display what they had learned. The combined Michigan National Guard, Tennessee National Guard and Danish Home Guard forces came together to form the “Eastern Power” opposing forces for the NATO exercise. The combined forces performed tactical movement through the Danish countryside, an assault on an entrenched fighting position and an all out assault on a Danish military installation.
”The Danish Home Guard forces are very similar to the Michigan National Guard in respect to Soldier competencies. They were very open and professional about learning our tactics, teaching us their tactics and combining them during this field exercise. I have learned allot of great things here that I will be using in the future.” Stated Private Benjamin Serra, Infantryman, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment.
The Danish led NATO exercise was the final step in the training mission for the Soldiers of Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment. Following the exercise Soldiers were notified of their results from the individual marksmanship events and awarded several Danish marksmanship badges.
More information on this training session and others the 1-125 Soldiers are experiencing in Denmark will be posted on the Michigan National Guard website, www.minationalguard.com.