The 1-16th Infantry deployed from Fort Riley, Kansas last summer and is regionally aligned and allocated to V Corps. V Corps is the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps and is tasked with operationalizing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, training with NATO allies, providing combat-ready forces, and defending the alliance’s eastern flank if necessary.
During the rotation, Soldiers conducted a wide range of combat readiness exercises from team-level drills to a culminating combined arms live fire exercise. The training emphasized the development of individual crews, target engagement, and maneuverability.
Lt. Col. Thomas Sacchieri, battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, highlighted the importance of conducting training in Bulgaria. “Since our arrival here, from day one, we’ve conducted the most realistic, combat focused training we can possibly do,” said Sacchieri.
“During our time here in Europe, we’ve taken advantage of a more permissive training environment. We’ve conducted live fire training from every echelon, from team to company level,” he added.
Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Beard, a master gunner for the battalion, outlined the range of exercises carried out during the deployment. “1-16th Infantry has conducted individual weapons qualifications, team and squad live fire, Bradley and tank gunnery, mortar qualifications, section live fires, platoon live fires, and a combined arms live fire exercise,” said Beard.
Soldiers also carried out demolition training and explosive breaching while improving maneuver and fire suppression techniques. Additional exercises included scenarios involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
“We’ve trained for 131 training days,” said Sacchieri. “That’s more than twice the number of days available to us at home station.”
“We’ve also expended over 700,000 rounds of class V,” he added. The training program allowed the battalion to build combat-credible forces while operating in the European theater.
The unit also trained with Romanian forces during a live fire exercise designed to strengthen joint operational readiness. U.S. Soldiers deployed a tank platoon to the Smardan Training Area in Romania to train alongside the 284th Romanian Armored Battalion.
“1-16th Infantry rapidly deployed a tank platoon to Smardan Training Area, Romania for a combined platoon live fire with the 284th Romanian Armored Battalion, which resulted in cohesion amongst our NATO allies, with our ability to communicate on a tactical communication network and to integrate direct fire coordination with each other,” said Beard.
The training rotation also aimed to develop leadership skills within the battalion. The increased operational tempo required leaders to rapidly plan and execute training events in field conditions.
“With an increased tempo, leaders were able to stress their abilities and gain confidence with being able to rapidly deploy to the field, conduct training and come out with more experience,” Beard said. “Some lessons learned from our rotation, that our leaders and Soldiers will take moving forward, is the ability to rapidly plan different types of training events, live fire exercises, and the ability to do it safely and to standard.”
Throughout the deployment, Soldiers demonstrated continued commitment to service and professional development. According to Sacchieri, more than 96 Soldiers reenlisted or extended their contracts during the final six months of the rotation.
“As we return to home station, we look forward to building upon the foundation and lessons learned here in Europe,” said Sacchieri. “Overall, this has been a great experience and leadership opportunity for our Soldiers.”
“They’re thriving here. They’ve set goals and accomplished them. During the last six months on this deployment, we’ve had over 96 Soldiers reenlist or extend their contract,” he added.
The battalion will now return to Fort Riley, where Soldiers will apply the experience gained during the European training cycle. Sacchieri said the unit will return with improved readiness and operational capability.
“We will return to Fort Riley at a higher readiness level than when we arrived,” said Sacchieri. “We’ll return more lethal, more experienced and more ready for large scale ground combat operations.”
The nine-month training cycle strengthened the battalion’s ability to operate as a cohesive combat force while improving joint readiness with NATO allies. The 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division will replace the 1-16th Infantry in Bulgaria to continue supporting warfighting readiness along NATO’s eastern flank.
