He made the European news!!
STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) -- Soldiers of 5th Signal Command's 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, became the first U.S. Soldiers to ever compete alongside European partners in the Eurocorps Support Battalion's hosted shoot-run-shoot duathlon in Strasbourg, France, April 16.
Eurocorps is a cooperative European military organization under the European Union created officially in 1993 with the aim of supporting European security and contingency operations. It currently comprises military contributions from its five framework nations: Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg. The headquarters, located in Strasbourg, also contains Soldiers from Austria, Greece, Poland and Turkey.
The event was started by a previous battalion commander (German) Lt. Col. Frank Wachter. "He created the event to aid in the cohesion between the multi-national Soldiers who are constantly on missions, but aren't always involved in the same exercises," said Belgium Adjudant (Master Sgt.) Nathalie Dhuyvetter, the support battalion's operations officer.
"The duathalon run is different then normal morning physical training, because teams consist of three Soldiers and the time is based on when the last Soldier of a team crosses the finish line, and you're responsible to keep everyone up to speed," said Dhuyvetter. The Soldiers were also scored on their ability to shoot the French-made FAMAS assault rifle before and after the run.
"The second shooting part is the most difficult, which is done immediately after crossing the finish line," said Dhuyvetter. The 6.2 kilometer run was done in full uniform through various slopes and hill, on a mixture of gravel and pavement. "It was a great course and very challenging," said 1st Sgt. Douglas Lynch, 72nd ESB.
1st. Sgt. Lynch, Spc. Alan Fennell, and Spc. William Barker from 72nd ESB managed to take first place among the 20 teams who participated. At a close second place was Capt. Thomas Laney, Sgt. 1st Class. Martin Rosenfeld and Pfc. Joshua McGinnis, 72nd ESB. This duathalon was Laney's first time participating in a Eurocorps-sponsored event, and plans on doing more in the future. "It was a great opportunity to learn
all about the Eurocorps and their structure. There were a lot of similarities to the U.S. Army," said Laney.
Laney heard about the event through 5th Signal's Deputy Chief of Intelligence, Robert Hembrook, who has taken the lead in organizing numerous partnership events in the past, including this June's 36th Annual International Shooting Contest in Eschbach, Germany.
"Capt. Laney had us train by running up and down stairs numerous times to get our heart rate up before trying to qualify on the Laser Marksmanship Training equipment, said Fennell. "That way, we would feel comfortable when it came time to shoot after the run during the duathalon." "It was very different running with boots because it adds an extra pound and a half to your feet," said Laney.
During their stay in Strasbourg, the Soldiers of 72nd ESB, were first given a tour of the Eurocorps Support Battalion, and then taken out and shown the surrounding areas, consisting of its famous 500-year-old cathedral. The following day after competing in the duathalon, the Soldiers were allowed to try for the German marksmanship Schutzenschnur Badge.
STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) - (center) Staff Sgt. Eric Butcher alongside Staff Sgts Robert Ferguson and Jonathan Muse, 5th Signal Command, shakes hands with a Eurocorps German Soldier after completing the Eurocorps Support Battalion's duathalon. The Soldiers from 72nd ESB were the first U.S. Soldiers to compete with the Eurocorps Soldiers in the event, which consisted of firing the French made FAMAS assault rifle before and after a 6.2 kilometer run. (Photo by Spc. Evan D. Marcy)
(That's Jonathan right smack in the middle. He's so handsome!)
STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) - 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion Soldiers with Eurocorps Soldiers after competing together for the first time in the Eurocorps Support Battalion's duathalon. (Photo by Spc. Evan D. Marcy)
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