Exercise Brave Warrior officially starts

American and Hungarian Soldiers officially kicked off Exercise Brave Warrior Sept. 21 at Bakony Combat Training Centre in Veszprem, Hungary with a day of activities that brought the two armies together to promote camaraderie and cohesiveness throughout the combined forces. Members of Task Force Saber, commanded under 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, traveled by convoy from Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany through Czech Republic and Slovak Republic to reach the training center in Hungary. Before reaching their destination, the squadron conducted a deliberate river crossing over Danube Minor in Gyor, Hungary Sept. 17 using Hungarian bridging assets. Brig. Gen. Gabor Horvath, commander of 25th Infantry Brigade, addressed the formation during the opening ceremonies. He officially welcomed the American Soldiers and commended them for accomplishing the long road march. "During these initial steps of the exercise, you have already proved your values in the field of cooperation; demonstrating firm command, exemplary discipline, flexibility and true comradeship," Horvath said. Before arriving at Bakony, Soldiers of the 25th IN BDE successfully completed a mission at the southern border of Hungary and many of them played an important role in the river crossing as well. "You may feel somewhat exhausted by now, but you can be proud of your endurance, and I know you are eager to work together with our allied comrades," Horvath said to his Soldiers. Throughout the day leaders from both armies were given the opportunity to get to know their counterpart and the U.S. became familiar with the training area in which they will spend the next four weeks. Command teams flew over the site by helicopter receiving the overall picture and also joined junior leaders, including section sergeants and platoon leaders on a recon by convoy. The convoy during the training area ground orientation included U.S. M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicles and Hungarian BTR -80 Armored Personnel Carriers so everyone could become familiar with the vehicles. The group dismounted at several key areas where Hungarian Soldiers helped U.S. Soldiers indentify physical key terrain features on the map to facilitate effective training opportunities that will be beneficial to their troops. Squad leaders and their Soldiers participated in an open house in which combat systems from both armies where on display for view and questions. All in all, the intent of the day was to build cohesiveness throughout the combined task force formation and empower junior leaders. Exercise Brave Warrior, will include combined live fire exercises and situational training exercises to increase operational readiness and strengthen allied relationships. "Our primary objective is to enhance teamwork and through this (exercise), to enhance the interoperability among units and among service members of two different allied armies," said Horvath. "We plan, rehearse, execute and evaluate our training activities together"