By Capt. Brett Tinder
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Spc. Paige Rayfield, radio operator and maintainer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, helps stock new bookcases built by the battalion’s Soldiers in their off-duty hours at the Mielenku Drawskim Primary School in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, March 10, 2017. (Photo by Capt. Brett Tinder)
MIELENKO DRAWSKIE, Poland — As artillerists from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, build interoperability ahead of multinational exercises in Germany and Romania with other NATO forces, they also are building solidarity with the Polish community near their training area.
Since arriving in Europe in January 2017 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, have partnered with the Mielenku Drawskim Primary School near Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area (DPTA), Poland.
Between artillery live-fire exercises, “Pacesetter” Soldiers have taught English lessons, shared in games of handball and hosted students at DPTA for a demonstration of their M109A6 Paladin howitzers. While off-duty, Soldiers resourced four new bookcases to expand the school’s growing library.
“The community outreach is critical to the success of our mission here in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve,” said Lt. Col. Douglas P. Chimenti, commander, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg. “Volunteering in the community shows we are not only here to defend the great nation of Poland, but participate in local community events. This allows the community to see our Soldiers in a positive light and also gives the Soldiers a better appreciation for their host country.”
Spc. Paige Rayfield, radio operator and maintainer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, has volunteered on more than one occasion to mentor Polish students.
“The school visits make the U.S. Army more relatable and help us see our mission more clearly,” said Rayfield.
The partnership with Mielenku Drawskim Primary School carries forward the Fort Carson Adopt-a-School program in which brigades and battalions sponsor elementary and middle schools. Units visit the schools at least quarterly to speak to students and participate in school events.
“I strongly support the Army Value of selfless service and teaching Soldiers that a way to achieve this value is through volunteering,” said Chimenti.
The battalion will expand the program upon redeployment to Fort Carson, maintaining correspondence with the schools it partners with during Operation Atlantic Resolve, he said.