Brig. Gen. Kenneth L. Kamper, left, deputy commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, speaks with Col. Christopher R. Norrie, commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., about different range capabilities during their predeployment site survey at Camp Karliki, in Zagan, Poland, Nov. 3, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. William Tanner)
By Sgt. William Tanner
24th Press Camp Headquarters
WROCLAW, Poland — When it comes to strategic planning for a deployment, there are several factors that need to be considered: open space for training, living quarters for personnel, hygienic facilities and even the transportation of equipment to and from the site. Everything must be planned out and accounted for in order for the mission to be successful.
Leaders assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, took these factors into consideration as they conducted a predeployment site survey in Poland Nov. 3, 2016.
“This predeployment site survey is part of the U.S. commitment to deterrence here in Europe,” said Brig. Gen. Kenneth L. Kamper, deputy commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, who leads the 4th Inf. Div. Mission Command Element for Atlantic Resolve in Baumholder, Germany. “It’s the first of consecutive nine-month, what we call ‘heel-to-toe,’ rotations of our armored brigade combat teams.”
Besides conducting site surveys in Poland, where 3rd ABCT will operate from multiple training areas, brigade leaders also visited future operational sites in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Germany during their 10-day trip from their home station at Fort Carson.
Each of the training areas that will house the “Iron” Brigade’s Soldiers is built up to varying degrees, from austere living conditions to installations with complete amenities. An emphasis is being placed on living and operating as their allied counterparts do.
Atlantic Resolve is a U.S.-led effort being conducted in Central and Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. The upcoming “heel-to-toe” deployments, starting with the 3rd ABCT, signal the beginning of a change in U.S. and NATO policy as allied forces start to focus more on deterrence.
“The United States has committed to rotating consecutive ABCTs into Europe nine months at a time,” Kamper said. “This is where the ‘heel-to-toe’ phrase has come from: where there are no gaps between armored brigades in Europe.”
The rotations throughout Europe will demonstrate the continued U.S. support of its NATO allies while simultaneously allowing Soldiers to bilaterally train with their foreign counterparts.
“The Polish, from national leadership down throughout their military, are great partners and are very committed to anything we need to bring our ABCT into western Poland,” Kamper said. “There will be many training opportunities over the next couple of months between the Polish and the U.S.”