By Sgt. Scott J. Evans
Mission Command Element Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
POZNAN, Poland — Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), visited the Mission Command Element-Atlantic Resolve headquarters Oct. 18, 2017, to gain a better understanding of the MCE’s development since moving to Poland from Germany earlier this year.
The MCE ensures U.S. Army Europe’s capability and effectiveness to maneuver forces in the area of operations, while Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of U.S. commitment to collective security, designed to reassure NATO allies and partners in light of Russian intervention in Ukraine.
The 4th Infantry Division has served as the regionally allocated intermediate tactical division headquarters for U.S. Army Europe since February 2015.
Perkins, who served as the 4th Inf. Div. commanding general at Fort Carson from 2009-2011, was briefed on the functions of the MCE and the strategic environment in eastern Europe by Col. David M. Hodne, MCE-Atlantic Resolve commander and 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson deputy commander, and his staff.
They highlighted U.S. and NATO force capabilities in the region and the Atlantic Resolve mission of assuring allies and deterring threats from potential adversaries.
The briefing also emphasized the logistically challenging nature of the mission in Europe and the need to adhere to international guidelines while respecting the European political environment.
“This is operational art with many moving pieces,” Perkins said. “Much of this is uncharted territory and it is definitely complex.”
Ensuring freedom of movement and speed of assembly, key to the Atlantic Resolve mission, requires identifying obstacles that arise due to the international priorities of each European country involved. Dealing with these obstacles effectively and in partnership with host nations, is critical to meeting mission requirements.
“The situation in Europe continues to evolve,” Hodne said. “The complexity only increases based on the varying perspectives and security interests among the Atlantic Resolve nations.”
The international nature and intangible aspects of the mission make it unique.
“Some aspects of the mission are difficult to grasp, and even tougher to fully measure,” Perkins said.
TRADOC’s mission is to better shape the Army by creating adaptive leaders through unit development. Perkins recognized that Atlantic Resolve provides a unique training opportunity for both the MCE and rotational units.
Despite the internal and external struggles of daily operations in the European theater, there are many benefits that help to develop staff, he said.
“There are outstanding leadership opportunities here for training a staff to be able to solve problems effectively,” Perkins said. “Don’t discount the training and readiness opportunities that come out of this operation.”