As the Abrams main battle tanks were to be primarily
operated by the 1st „Warszawska" Armored Brigade,
our logisticians and mechanics/technicians were the
first to undergo the training process. The logisticians
play a key role in any activity. Thus it remains of pa-
ramount importance to prepare the staff, the repair
elements, and the logisticians, to commission and ma-
intain the new equipment. This is why, within the fra-
mework of Field Maintenance New Equipment Training
(FMNET), the US instructors taught our tank units how
they should plan out maintenance, carry out repairs,
manage materials, and recover the main battle tanks.
Soon the Abrams crews engaged in the Operators New
Equipment Training (OPNET). The program also includes
theoretical and practical training, during which the MBT
crews go through the whole training process, required for
further, autonomous use of this modern equipment, in
line with its purpose. Even though each crew member
has his specialty, they are trained in a way that
would allow them to take over the tasks of their
colleagues. During the training course, they all
work as the driver, gunner, commander, and loader.
Training for the future Polish instructors is also envisa-
ged. The so-called shadowing instructors are
trained by experienced US main battle tank
crews. They assist the US specialists and, in
that way, they are getting ready to conduct
similar training courses on their own. They
make the knowledge acquired solid and get to
know the training process conducted as per
the US standard, to pass down this knowledge
www.fragoutmag.com
