Baumholder maintainers help Bulgarian soldiers see through NVGs

Story and photo by Sgt. Daniel Wyatt
16th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carlos Heron, 317th Support Maintenance Company electronics systems maintenance technician (right), briefs soldiers from the Bulgarian army on the use of night vision device-repair systems June 29. The Bulgarians learned about repair systems, standard operating procedures, and maintenance facilities and operations.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carlos Heron, 317th Support Maintenance Company electronics systems maintenance technician (right), briefs soldiers from the Bulgarian army on the use of night vision device-repair systems June 29. The Bulgarians learned about repair systems, standard operating procedures, and maintenance facilities and operations.

They didn’t exactly give eyesight to the blind, but Knight Brigade Soldiers helped Bulgarian allies see the light during a training mission held in late June.

The Soldiers assigned to the 317th Support Maintenance Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, educated Bulgarian counterparts on the capabilities and use of night vision devices June 29, advancing bilateral interoperability.

The Bulgarians, assigned to the 4th Artillery Regiment at Asenovgrad, learned about repair systems, standard operating procedures and maintenance facilities during the annual event.
Bulgarian leaders shed light on the situation.

“I’m pleased with the facilities and knowledge of our American counterparts,” said Bulgarian army Capt. Ivan Kostadinov, 4th Artillery Regiment. “This is my first time having a relationship with American Soldiers and it’s been good.”

Bulgarian enlisted Soldiers also expressed their appreciation for the eye-opening opportunity.
“I am impressed with the organization, the facilities, and the Soldiers,” said Bulgarian army 1st Sgt. Evelina Servedzhieva, 4th Artillery Regiment. “I saw the logisticians work at a high level at the training.”

The training fostered trust and reinforced U.S. commitment to the security of its allies in the region.
“Localized small-scale teams trained with our Bulgarian allies,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carlos Heron, 317th Support Maintenance Company electronic systems maintenance technician. “The training improved their processes and developed better operational capabilities.”

The training built upon past events.

“Working with our NATO partners from Bulgaria this week allowed us to study the similarities and differences between our forces,” said Sgt. Khano Neal, 317th Support Maintenance Company computer detection systems repair NCO. “Training like this helps build stronger partnerships.”