Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a support-by-fire training exercise during their deployment to Kosovo. (Photo courtesy 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division)
By 2nd Lts. Alexander Cullen and Jason Dvorak
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
KOSOVO — Decisive-action training at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California; peace support operations at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), Hohenfels, Germany; and nine months of operations and sustainment training have kept 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, busy over the last year.
Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Company A, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, currently deployed to Kosovo, have balanced operations in crowd riot control, enforcement of the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and Serbia and United Nations Security Resolution 1244 with multiple platoon and company decisive-action training exercises.
After NTC, the battalion deployed to JMRC in Hohenfels where its Soldiers received additional training on crowd riot control and peace support operations. Unique to the event was the integration of the battalion’s first multinational soldiers with the attachment of Albanian and Romanian rifle companies.
“JMRC was really difficult because we are used to only working with other Americans. By having the Albanians and Romanians, it really tested our communication,” said Pfc. Christina Meadows, forward command post intelligence analyst, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg. “However, it was a really great experience, and I learned a lot from it.”
Crowd riot control (CRC) training taught Soldiers to maintain close-quarter discipline while aggressors threw live Molotov cocktails, rocks and rolled tires at packed lines of Soldiers. The Soldiers learned firsthand the value of the riot line and not to become emotionally charged while they dispersed or captured the instigators.
“CRC is very important in an area like this,” said Sgt. 1st Class Seth Taylor, platoon sergeant, Company A. “It enables us to use minimal force in order to prevent civilian injuries during a riot.”
The battalion then deployed to Kosovo where Soldiers quickly became familiar with the 400-kilometer mountainous administrative boundary line between Serbia and Kosovo. While this was more akin to normal operations for the Soldiers, it was still grueling foot patrols with the Serbian armed forces through mountainous terrain followed by long hours in observation posts.
As the Soldiers from Company A were conducting patrols and security, the battalion headquarters provided mission command for German, Hungarian and Polish rifle companies and integrated officers from Romania, Hungary, Switzerland and Denmark into the staff.
“Working as a multinational unit gave U.S. Soldiers the opportunity to experience other countries’ planning procedures, tactics and training,” said Capt. Patrick Hughes, forward command post operations officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “Our multinational partners brought a wealth of understanding and experience to the unit. Without their contribution, the forward command post could not have succeeded in its overall mission.”
In the city of Mitrovica, home to some of the most intense ethnic conflicts in the country, the Soldiers of Company A played an integral role in ensuring safety for local citizens as well as aiding them in strengthening their country and public institutions.
“The citizens here in Kosovo have been through a lot of hard times, and it’s important for us to keep a safe environment for them,” said Pvt. Ernest Gibson, Company A. “You can tell they really appreciate us here, because almost everywhere you go people are happy to see you.”
Kosovo offered many training opportunities for Soldiers across the battalion to maintain readiness in decisive-action operations and enforce the importance of interoperability with other NATO forces.
“As a light infantry battalion, one of our key mission essential tasks is to conduct offensive operations,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Ehrhart, commander, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg. “One of the most difficult types of offensive operations is to conduct an air assault to seize an urban area against a near peer competitor.”
Ehrhart said the complexity of the operation increases when adding partnered operations with other NATO members, citing different levels of training, equipment and experience.
“The training really tested our planning process, staff integration, interoperability and communication. It was a rare opportunity and a great success.”
Despite the intensity of missions and a multitude of training events, many of the Soldiers enjoyed the experience of living and operating with such a diverse group of international allies and partners.
“Working with the multinationals really made me see that there are several different ways to do things,” said Sgt. Genaro Lopez, Company A. “Our way may not always be the best. It is important to keep an open mind and to learn from our multinational partners. This way we are continually improving ourselves.”
The battalion’s Soldiers are scheduled to return to Fort Carson later this year.