U.S. Army Europe
November 25, 2022
eFP Battle Group Poland, Combined Arms, Combined Strength
NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battle Group Poland was established in 2017 as a multinational combined force that included units from the United States, Poland, the U.K., Romania, and Croatia. The mission of the eFP Battle Group Poland is to strengthen the NATO Alliance’s…posture in Poland. Currently lead by the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (3-8 CAV), 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1 ABCT) operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), alongside The Royal Lancers, Prince of Wales Troop, Romanian Sky Guardians, and Croatian Archer Battery operate in concert with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade.
The eFP Battle Group Poland is continuously executing training exercises to enhance their readiness and ability to operate as a multinational, combat-ready force, strengthening the partnerships forged amongst the Allied Nations to continue to promote the strong alliances that are the spirit to NATO’s eFP mission.
“We’ve incorporated our NATO allies into the planning and execution, integrated them into our battle drills, and that is so important for interoperability,” said U.S. Army Maj. Eric Yost, executive officer assigned to 3-8 CAV, 3-1 ABCT. “We have four different countries’ militaries in this Battle Group, and executing synchronized operations shows our Allies that we are ready to fight immediately if that call comes, and sends that same strategic message to any aggressors in this region.”
From command war colleges and NATO team leaders academy to live fire exercises, cohesion and cooperation among a multi-national NATO Alliance begins with front line leaders understanding of doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to ensure maximum interoperability.
…“We can learn and discuss best practices, and in this setting we focus on doctrine so we can develop as a single unit, under a single standard.”
Training exercises and drilling alongside a multinational NATO Allies takes coordination and intent to master basic combat tactics and procedures to ensure unit cohesion.
“Conducting a leaders academy and participating with our allied counterparts is important because it fosters the relationship that we want to build with our NATO Allies….”
Planning and organizing exercises with various leadership and a multinational NATO defense force takes intent, coordination and determination to ensure unit cohesion amongst the Battle Group Alliance.
“This is very important for all of us because we have to work together and cooperate, we have to stay together,” said Capt. Rares David, operations staff officer of the Romanian Sky Guardians. “Cooperation and cohesion in working together is very important for interoperability and for this region.”
Training multinational military warfighters from differing units and nations to operate as one synchronous unit takes familiarity with tactics and procedures, training, battle drills, rehearsals, and large scale exercises.
“We are conducting a NATO integration with soldiers with the Polish Territorial Defense Force (TDF) and will be conducting battle drills,” said U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Noorlag, commander of Chaos Company, 3-8 CAV, 3-1 ABCT….
Training with the multinational Allied partners of the eFP Battle Group Poland ensures the ability to synchronize into effective warfighting units in all environments within the European theater.
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The integration of new equipment, assets, vehicles, and technology, as well as the human element, is essential to strengthening the warfighting capabilities of eFP Battle Group Poland….
“We want this equipment to be interoperable with the equipment of NATO allies, we are prepared for the process of strengthening the Polish armed forces to be very dynamic,” said Poland Deputy Prime Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defense. “The fact that these vehicles are interoperable with the equipment of our allies, hence, it is no coincidence that next to the Borsuk armored fighting vehicle stands the American Bradley.”
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Soldiers in eFP Battle Group Poland enhance interoperability, build combat readiness and forge bonds with each other through training and exercises. The United States and the NATO Alliance of the eFP Battle Group Poland is prepared, equipped and committed to answer the call for the collective defense of Poland.
“The Romanians, the British, the Croatians, the Polish, and the United States have sent their first teams to this Battle Group,” said Castilla. “We are prepared, we are united, and we are determined to answer NATO’s call, should this Battlegroup have to respond…as one team.”
Anti-bellum 