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29th ID leads Saber Strike 16, multinational exercise By Master Sgt. A.J. Coyne 29th Infantry Division Public Affairs More than 20 Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division traveled to Europe to participate in Saber Strike 16,June 4 in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Saber Strike is a long-standing, U.S. Army Europe-led, cooperative training exercise designed to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions, and prepare the 13 participating nations to support multinational contingency operations. “We are here to assure the Baltic states of the commitment of the United States to the common defense of the Baltics,” explained Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, commanding general of the 29th ID and Saber Strike 16 exercise director. “We’re here to build cooperation and interoperability that will give the allies that ability to work together for defense, but also to build the ability to come together in times of crisis.” Saber Strike 16 featured allied and partner-nation ground forces conducting live-fire, command post, and cyber/electronic warfare training, plus the integration of U.S. close-air support with multinational ground forces. Leading up to the exercise, the Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted a 2,200-kilometer tactical road march, called Dragoon Ride II, from Germany to Estonia, to demonstrate U.S. land forces’ dynamic presence throughout the region. “Saber Strike is an excellent opportunity to train joint and multinational operations,” said Capt. Alex Sanchez of the 29th ID, who served in Latvia. “This opportunity has taken on even greater importance with evolving, real-world circumstances. The exchange of ideas and development of systems to work across service and national boundaries strengthens our alliances, our partner nations and ourselves.” Members of the 29th ID served as an exercise control cell for Saber Strike 16, managing many of the support functions and tracking the training requirements for different units going through the exercise. They helped ensure all units met
July 14, 2016
Up Front Rossell Village vehicles damaged
The Fort Belvoir Police Department is seeking information to help identify the suspect/s involved in several ‘damage to privately owned vehicles’ reported in Rossell Village. The crimes occurred over July 4 weekend. People with any information about the identity of the suspect or suspects involved are asked to call the Fort Belvoir Police Department, 703-806-3104. Callers may remain anonymous. Additionally, people who were victims who did not yet file a report are asked to do so at the station, 6080 Abbot Road, to fill out a report. See related story, Page A5.
Fun Friday
U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. A.J. Coyne, 29th Infantry Division
Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, commanding general of the Virginia National Guard's 29th Infantry Division and exercise director of Saber Strike 16, speaks with Latvian media after the opening ceremony of Saber Strike 16 June 11, at Adazi Military Base, Latvia. their training objectives and helped rewarding experience for 29th ID reallocate resources during the ex- Soldiers participating in all three ercise to achieve training objectives. Baltic countries. “Participating in this sort of exer“They’ve welcomed us with open cise helps increase the readiness of arms and we’ve worked well tothe units that participate, but also gether,” said Capt. Winston Bridgedemonstrates the capability of the man of the Maryland National National Guard division headquar- Guard, who served in Estonia. “It’s ters to significantly contribute to been a wonderful experience for me. the security of the United States,” I’ve never worked this closely with a Ortner said. foreign military.” Army and Air Guard person“I feel very lucky to have had nel from Michigan, Minnesota and this occasion to work closely with so Pennsylvania took part in the ex- many of our partner nations,” Sanercise as well as the U.S. Air Force chez said. “This has been a learnand Marines. ing opportunity to see the way other In addition to the three host armies and services plan and lead countries and the U.S., participat- their soldiers and Marines. The ing nations in Saber Strike 16 in- ability to work closely and learn cluded Denmark, Finland, France, from each other as individuals has Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, strengthened the foundations of our Poland, Slovenia and the United alliances from the ground up.” Kingdom. “The cooperation and interoper“The value to the Virginia and ability that has been learned in this Maryland National Guard is our exercise is very important and it will ability to work with allies,” Ortner help in any sort of crisis that may said. “Nobody fights a war alone arise,” Ortner said. “But, the trusted anymore, or handles a disaster relationships that have been built alone. Having the familiarity of co- between the Soldiers, between the ordinating with our Allies improves nations and between our peoples, our ability to respond, if the Na- is probably the most important tional Guard is called to support.” achievement that has come out of Working alongside troops from this exercise and that we know we other nations was a valuable and can and will depend on each other.”
The next events in Belvoir MWR’s Family Fun Fridays are a screening of the movie, Pan, Friday; and a concert by Traitors N’ Thieves Aug. 19. Both events start at 6:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. Everyone’s invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the free, outdoor events. Each night also includes activities for children, including bounce houses and games. Food trucks are also expected to be on site to sell food. For more information, call 703805-3417.
ACS birthday
Belvoir’s Army Community Service hosts its 51st birthday celebration July 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ACS, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200. The free event includes pizza, fruit, cake, ice cream, prizes, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and recognition of the longest working Fort Belvoir ACS employee. The celebration is open to everyone and registration is not needed. ACS’s number is 703-805-4590.
Voter registration
The Installation Voting Office encourages all Service members, spouses, voting-age family members and civilians to register to vote in the upcoming election. Belvoir’s Voting Installation Office is in the Welcome Center, Bldg. 1155. People with questions about voting may contact Stephan Patterson, 703-806-0721, Stephan.d.patterson.civ@mail.mil.