JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry
Regiment, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and 6th Battalion of the Kumaon
Regiment concluded the 11th iteration of exercise Yudh Abhyas at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Wash., Sept. 9-23.
Yudh Abhyas is an annual, U.S. Army
Pacific-sponsored Theater Security Cooperation Program bilateral exercise
designed to strengthen the U.S. and Indian army partnership. This was the first
iteration of this exercise held at JBLM.
"It has been great training with
them," said 1st Lt. Tyler Smith, platoon leader, 1-23 Inf. "A lot of progress
has been made. We were able to discuss each other's standard operating
procedures, tactics and techniques."
The exercise began with basic squad
procedures training and familiarization on both army's weapons. The training
then focused on rappelling techniques used during air assault
operations.
After several days of army training, the Indian soldiers had
the opportunity to experience some cultural attractions around Washington such
as Ocean Shores, Ruby Beach and attending a Seattle Mariners baseball
game.
"We have been able to see them in a tactical setting as well as out
enjoying the different attractions and sights Washington has to offer," said
Smith. The soldiers quickly transitioned back to training as they began squad
movement drills at Leschi Town, which is a mock town at JBLM, used to simulate
scenarios for possible deployments.
The soldiers were split into six
platoon-sized elements, each operating toward maintaining control of a town
square or assaulting enemy targets in an urban environment.
Indian Capt.
Vishnu Hoda, 6th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, commanded one of the platoons
during the movement exercises.
"We learned a lot during this training
ranging from the fire and move to the room clearing procedures," said Hoda. "I
loved the training, because we could actually simulate a room interaction using
blank rounds. There has been no difficulty communicating with the U.S. because
we do our best at speaking each other's language."
The first few days of
the field training event started with platoon lanes focused on basic maneuvers,
which then progressed towards company level operations.
"We have been
teaching them our techniques for operating in a Stryker environment like us and
learned how they train as a light infantry unit in mountainous terrain," Smith
said.
The soldiers finished five days of tactical procedures by
incorporating all lessons learned to successfully assault a target, eliminate
enemy threat, seize the objective and evacuate any casualties, during the
culminating training event.
"My soldiers have enjoyed every aspect of
this training and working with the U.S.," Hoda said. "I have realized the armies
of the countries may be different but the techniques they follow, training and
commonalities between them is the same."
The last two events for Yudh
Abhyas were friendly games of cricket and soccer. A closing ceremony, to
commemorate what happened over the last two weeks, showcased the flourishing
partnership between the two nations.
Indian Maj. Gen. Dharam Vir Singh
Rana, general officer commanding the Madhya Bharat area, commented on the
lessons learned by the Kumaon Regiment during the Yudh Abhyas closing
ceremony.
"It has been an excellent learning experience for us," said
Rana. "The application of the high tech training platforms is a huge improvement
for us. Yudh Abhyas exercise will go a long way in deepening the relationship
between our great armies."