Jan 14 2022

Northern Europe Operational Update Weeks 01/02 2022

Snow and low temperatures, the resilience of our Battlegroups in Northern Europe.

TAPA, Estonia - British soldiers from enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Estonia have been carrying out various training drills to be able to operate in extreme weather conditions, where temperatures can drop to below -25 °C.
To maintain constant readiness in such a difficult environment, personnel have been training every day and learning how to cross-country ski and quad bike in the snow. Our soldiers were also engaged in a three day course, Cold Weather Operators Course, focussed on tactics and survival in extreme cold weather conditions.

British Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and French National Fires Observers (NFOs) from the Estonian eFP Battlegroup have been training together co-ordinating fires from the air with ground manoeuvre. JTACs direct the action of the aircraft, calling in airstrikes and weapons runs. As part of the enhanced Air Policing (eAP) programme, fighter jets from NATO partners provide air support to training in the area.
The JTACs have been practicing working with Close Air Support in a winter environment, in particular, during the training scenarios, they were required to communicate with the Belgian F-16s in order to direct them onto notional targets.
High level of readiness between Allies and co-ordination are crucial in NATO, for this reason these exercises are done on a regular basis throughout the year.

RUKLA, Lithuania - The Czech contingent of the Lithuanian eFP Battlegroup organized a winter challenge, which consisted of making fire with cold hands and a wet uniform. Soldiers of different nationalities joined together demonstrating teamwork and a great desire to get involved.