Polish MPs train with the 18th MP Bde.

by Staff Sgt. Tramel S. Garrett
18th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs


ORZAYZ, Poland — Soldiers from the 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, teamed with a Polish military police specialized unit in a continued effort to strengthen a unique relationship during a training exercise here Jan. 30 to Feb. 17.

During the exercise, Soldiers from the 1st Platoon, 92nd MP Company, out of Baumholder, Germany, participated in a two-week Polish MPSU semiannual training event. Soldiers of the 92nd MP Co. were dispersed among three Polish teams to take full advantage of this partnership opportunity. The training session consisted of rifle marksmanship and dismounted and mounted tactics.

“This is a great opportunity for us to get together and learn each other’s tactics,” said Cpl. Kyle Maccarthy, a military police Soldier with the 92nd MP Company. “The Polish conduct diverse tactics that are also very effective.”

Following a successful two weeks in Poland, 1st Platoon redeployed to Baumholder, along with 10 Polish soldiers, to continue the joint training. In this case the Polish Soldiers received training from U.S. Soldiers, which included urban operations, advanced rifle marksmanship and virtual convoy combat training.

Additionally, this training exercise had scenarios that required teams to react and change their tactics. For example, at some point in urban operations training, American and Polish soldiers executed joint building clearing operations and responded to casualties.

“We believe this exchange will strengthen our relationship,” said Polish Lt. Col. Tomasz Szoplink, the MPSU Minsk Mazowiecki battalion commander. “The soldiers will get familiar with the equipment and the basic tactics of the U.S. at the squad level. We are looking forward to exchange experience on the battalion level.”

“I can see this partnership helping us with joint operations in the future,” said 2nd Lt. Evan Howard, the 1st Plt. leader, 92nd MP Co. “Everything we learned training with them is easily applicable to training police forces in Afghanistan while overcoming language barriers.”

“We worked together in Iraq and now Afghanistan and we have a good relationship with soldiers in theater,” Szoplink said. “Strengthening our partnership in Europe will help us prepare for the missions abroad, which is one of our goals for the future.”