SMARDAN, Romania -- The Bulgaria-based Combined Arms Company moved armor assets across
borders for the first time to participate in a multinational live-fire
exercise at Smardan Training Area, Romania, Dec. 7-12, 2015.
The heavy equipment included M777 Howitzer artillery cannons, M1A1
Abrams tanks and light-armored vehicles, which were transported by rail
and employed in conjunction with allied and partner nations’ mechanized
equipment during Platinum Lynx 16-2.
Partnering with the Combined Arms Company and additional Black Sea
Rotational Force Marines were members from Romanian tank and mechanized
infantry battalions, and a Moldovan light-armored reconnaissance
platoon.
For the Moldovan unit, participating in a live-fire engagement alongside U.S. tanks is a new experience.
“For the first time, a unit from our brigade participated in an exercise
with the U.S. mechanized units,” Capt. Sergiu Grumeza, company
commander with the Moldovan 1st Motorized Brigade. “Jointly training
with our American and Romanian counterparts has been a learning
experience that will benefit our future.”
Platinum Lynx 16-2 focused predominantly on mechanized integration,
breaching techniques, dismounted live-fire tactics and indirect fire
procedures.
“We are testing and refreshing our procedures for future operations and
training,” said Capt. Marius Macovei, a company commander with the
Romanian 284th Tank Battalion. “The combat scenario was designed to test
offensive actions by a multinational unit composed of tanks, combat
infantry vehicles, artillery and air support.”
Following the final exercise and close-out of Platinum Lynx 16-2, the
Marines will load and transport the equipment back to Novo Selo Training
Area, Bulgaria. The next major exercise in which the Combined Arms
Company will participate is expected to take place in January at NSTA.
The annually-scheduled “Platinum” series exercises are intended to
bolster relationships between NATO allies and partners in order to
collectively address common security challenges throughout Eastern
Europe.