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Video by Cpl. Jacob Colvin

Bilateral Exercise Enhances Readiness Through Fundamentals

7th Infantry Division

Sept. 20, 2018 | 0:47

Soldiers with the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, and the Indian army’s 99th Mountain Brigade practiced climbing techniques and fired each nation’s weapon systems, Sept. 19, 2018, at Chaubattia Military Station, India, as part of Exercise Yudh Abhyas.

“When we deploy to other countries, we often work with other nations’ armies during various missions, whether it be the Indian army, Canadians, Germans, British army, we are expected to be able to integrate and work with our counterparts,” said Sgt. Kurtis Anderson, a vehicle commander with 1-23 Infantry. “This exercise builds upon our relationship with the Indians to ensure we can be an adaptable force and be ready in any situation.

“We have our doctrine and our training is based off of that,” he added. “When we train with the Indian army, we learn their doctrine and expand our knowledge in a way that make us a better Army.”

Anderson said the exercise was a great opportunity for his Soldiers to learn how to interact with another nation’s army. They are learning how to use weapons such as the INSAS Rifle. This in turn helps his Soldiers further their understanding of marksmanship because they understand the same marksmanship principles apply to different weapon systems.

“It is important to learn from another army to see the different methods of fighting,” said Spc. Brett Jensen, an assistant gunner with 1-23 Infantry. “Each army learns from the other and in the end, this will make all of us stronger.”