JANUARY 29, 2024 — The 4th Battalion, 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, attached to Task Force 82, supported members of the Romanian Land Forces during a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Artillery Table VIII exercise using reduced range practice rockets, Jan. 17, 2024.
This exercise was conducted by the Romanian 8th Field Artillery Brigade and supported by the 4th SFAB to increase readiness and interoperability between NATO allies.
U.S. Army Maj. Zachary Busenbark, commander, Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade and team leader for the SFAB Field Artillery Advisor Team, spoke to the importance of maximizing his team’s involvement with NATO military forces in Europe.
“In Europe, the desire is for the maximization of interoperability with both NATO Allied forces and partner nations to ensure we can train and fight together effectively as a combined team,” said Busenbark.
The HIMARS launchers the Romanian Land Forces use are U.S. missile and rocket systems that fire the Guided M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System as well as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System. The MLRS rocket has a range of approximately 70 kilometers, and the ATACMS can reach as far as 300 Kilometers.
“The domains of interoperability — human, procedural and technical — are practiced to the maximum extent possible to make sure that as a combined team we can be as lethal as possible in the event that we have to go fight and win as a coalition,” said Busenbark.
In addition to mission readiness, this gunnery exercise helped prepare the Soldiers for next year’s NATO Combat Readiness Evaluation.
Task Force 82, from the 82d Airborne Division, leads critical aspects of the US military to assure Allies and partners, deter adversaries, and reinforces NATO security force assistance in the Black Sea region.
By Pfc. Aiden O’Marra