BOISE, Idaho — For Soldiers from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, their annual training was an international affair, as the brigade headquarters conducted a command post exercise from May 4-18, with Canadian Army Soldiers participating, Polish Army observing and expert exchanges.
“Fostering relationships with the 41st CBG and 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade provides the 116th CBCT Soldiers with a unique opportunity to train with an allied nation,” said Col. Eric Orcutt, Idaho National Guard chief of the Joint Staff and former 116th CBCT commander. “This allows Soldiers to learn how other units operate, build friendships and deepen cultural understanding with units they may serve alongside on future missions.”
Approximately 16 officers from the 41st Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Calgary, formed the Brigade Staff and participated in staff exercises with the 116th Canadian Brigade Combat Team, held from 11–16 May.
The exercise marked the third exchange between the two militaries since November last year, giving soldiers from both sides an opportunity to work together with foreign troops without crossing an ocean.
“Canada is an ally that supports the same missions as us,” said Lt. Col. Cody Lutz, 116th CBCT adjutant. “Being able to train with a neighboring country instead of traveling to Europe makes it easier to test interoperability with our NATO partners.”
The 41st Canadian Brigade Group is an Army Reserve unit of the 3rd Canadian Division. Like the Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers of the 116th Canadian Brigade Group, most of its Soldiers serve their country part-time while also contributing to their communities when needed. Members of the unit have also deployed to Europe in support of the War on Terrorism.
“We have a lot in common,” Lutz said, “Training with the 41st Division allows us to train with a unit that has experience in the same environment as us.”
Canadian Soldiers also attended the 116th CBCT’s change of command ceremony on May 17, when Col. Jason Gracida took over as head of the unit after three years in command from Col. Orcutt.
That same week, the Idaho National Guard hosted two mobile battalion commanders and an operations officer from Poland as part of the state’s Inter-State Partnership Program.
Members of the Polish Army’s 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade observed the brigade’s CPX and conducted an expert exchange with members of the 116th CBCT.
The Idaho National Guard has been working with the Polish Army for about two and a half years as the armor partner in the Illinois National Guard’s interstate partnership with Poland. Polish soldiers observed the brigade’s combined arms training, watched a Bradley Fighting Vehicle fire and toured maintenance facilities. They also discussed with U.S. Soldiers the Polish Army’s requirements for maneuver operations, training, maintenance, logistics, intelligence and force formation.
“Poland’s tank formation and operational expertise is unmatched among U.S. allies and partners,” said Maj. Jace Thayer, Idaho SPP director, “We know we have just as much to learn from the members of the Polish Army as they can learn from us, which is what makes this unique partnership so valuable to the men and women of the Idaho National Guard.”
