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UK armoured battle group takes part in multi-national NATO exercise
DB News: 20/10/2015 - 11:17
The UK has committed around 800 troops to Exercise Dragon, who have joined troops from Poland, Germany, the US and Canada.
The exercise is taking place over five weeks and aims to test multinational, joint combined arms manoeuvres at the Divisional level. The first phase was carried out at the Drawsko Pomorski Training Area, while the second began on 19 October and takes place at the Orzysz Training area.
Over 130 UK vehicles are taking part, including Challenger 2 battle tanks and Warrior infantry armoured fighting vehicles.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “In a darker and more dangerous world, it is vital that we work with our NATO allies so we can respond to any threat. That’s why the UK is playing a key role in Exercise Dragon, contributing nearly 1,000 troops, and over 130 vehicles and tanks.
“The exercise will help preparations for NATO’s new rapid reaction taskforce, which the UK will provide troops for every year into the next decade and which we will lead in 2017.”
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Garner, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, which is part of the LABG, said: “This has been a great exercise for 1 YORKS. Getting our vehicles and equipment out to Poland was a third of the exercise, and the exercise out here has been top notch.
“The Polish terrain adds a different dimension to our training which we can’t achieve in the UK. Working so closely with our NATO allies has been great training for the guys. Obviously we have different ways of doing things, but bringing all this together in line with NATO doctrine has been challenging, but highly rewarding.”
