VORU, Estonia — More than 30 Soldiers and Airmen took part in Saber Knight, a Dane-led command post exercise from May 27 through June 4.
The training's purpose was to allow staff members to work with allies in a NATO environment to provide them experience and education in carrying out operations within the framework of a multinational division.
The Citizen-Soldiers were compiled from a variety of commands throughout the Pennsylvania National Guard including Joint Force Headquarters, 28th Infantry Division and the 213th Regional Support Group. The Citizen-Airmen were from several Pennsylvania National Guard wings including the 193rd Special Operations Wing as well as the 111th Attack Wing.
The Guard members were joined by U.S. troops from the active component as well as those from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, and Slovakia and other NATO allies bringing the total number of troops to approximately 750.
"This has been an outstanding opportunity for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard," said U.S. Army Col. James McCormack, officer-in-charge of the Pennsylvania contingent. "You learn the culture, you appreciate the values and experience of those countries."
After setting up a field headquarters at Taara Barracks, the troops began the exercise. Notional scenarios were presented to the staffs which then had to react and work together to find solutions. The exercise was designed to enhance interoperability between participating formations and improve their capability to execute operations within the divisional framework.
The nations participating appreciated learning from one another.
"It's always nice to see what the other countries are doing. We have the same equipment, more or less. They have learned one way of doing it, we have learned another and we have to work together always. Not to see what is best, but to learn different ways to do the same thing." said Danish Army Sgt. 1st Class Ole, Danske Division.
McCormack agreed, "Our allies are fantastic people to work with."
Saber Knight is part of Saber Strike, a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative exercise conducted annually since 2010.