Taking Command LaMaack Leads Bravo Battery On Its Deployment said. “This is truly a multi-national exercise and will be a big deal for us. It’s also means a lot to the people over in Europe, for them to see that kind of support from us.” The mission may take on more significance with possible Russian activity in Eastern Europe and other regions. Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic Resolve land efforts by bringing units based in the U.S. to Europe for nine months at a time. There are three types of Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation and sustainment task force. These rotations are overseen by the Mission Command Element, a regionally-aligned headquarters based in Poznan, Poland. Approximately 6,000 soldiers participate in Atlantic Resolve at any given time. During the mission, LaMaack will command 114 members who include Bravo Battery, Alpha Battery, the Higher Headquarters Battalion (HHB) and Forward Support Company. Right: Captain Dan LaMaack vRandy Dockendorf Dan LaMaack is spending this year in Europe, but it’s no vacation. Capt. LaMaack is commanding the Yankton-based Bravo Battery of the 1/147th Field Artillery with the South Dakota National Guard (SDNG). The battalion is participating in Operation Atlantic Resolve. The non-combat training mission supports NATO forces and other members of the multi-national operation. Bravo Battery was chosen for the operation because of its excellence, its expertise and its outstanding record in past missions, LaMaack said. The unit will bring valuable experience and equipment as a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) battery, he added. “These men and women are among the best in the U.S. Army, and they’ll be successful in the completion of this important mission,” he said. Bravo Battery will break new ground in many ways during the mission, LaMaack said. “This is my first deployment, and this is the first time we’ve been part of Operation Atlantic Resolve,” he said. “This mission is filled with a lot of firsts for us.” Bravo Battery will deploy for nearly a year, LaMaack said. “From the time we leave South Dakota until we get back, it’ll be close to 11 months,” he said. “We’ll have a month of training at our mobilization site, then nine months out of country and then another month of demobilization.” According to a U.S. Army website, Operation Atlantic Resolve builds readiness, increases inter-operability and enhances the bond between ally and partner militaries. The operation uses multi-national training events in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. “We’ll be working basically with every major country in Europe. We’ll also be working with some Canadian artillery units,” LaMaack 4vHISVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 Taking Command LaMaack officially took command of Bravo Battery in October 2017. “I think it’s been a great transition,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. Everyone in this unit and battalion has worked like hell to make things happen.” He has spent the past year building bonds while providing leadership in meeting U.S. Army and SDNG orders. He was familiar with the MLRS coming into his command. “The fire and batteries are very similar. They’re exactly the same make-up. The biggest difference is the personnel and getting to know the guys,” he said. “I had known some of the leadership down here in Bravo Battery. We had worked together before, but for the most part the biggest challenge was getting to know the guys and know the place. “As unit commander, you’re the buffer between what is going on at the battalion level and what gets pushed down to the (soldiers). You’re essentially a mid-level manager.” LaMaack’s change of command ceremony marked his first formal leadership role over Bravo Battery. However, he brings a wide military background and a connection with the South Dakota National Guard. LaMaack enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2007 as a military police (MP) and served with Det. 1, 79th MP Co., in Worthington, Minn., until 2011. From 2008-11, he was enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at South Dakota State University (SDSU) while completing his degree in history. He took his commission in May 2011. He attended the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, Okla., in fall 2012. His duty appointments including firing platoon leader, support platoon leader and Operations Officer with Alpha Battery. His more recent assignment was as the Battalion S1. LaMaack resides in Rochester, Minn., and is employed with Legacy Power Line as a lineman.