NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) and U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) concluded a significant 10-day exercise, Avenger Triad 24 (AVTR24), on 19 September 2024, aimed at simulating large-scale ground combat operations.
The exercise, say NATO, involved approximately 4,000 participants from NATO nations, including Estonia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain, alongside 2,000 U.S. troops.
AVTR24, directed by U.S. European Command and USAREUR-AF, marked a milestone in bolstering readiness and enhancing the integration of Allied forces in Europe.
According to a NATO statement:
“Exercise AVENGER TRIAD 24 concluded today, on Sept 19. The exercise involved 4,000 participants from NATO nations in large-scale simulated combat operations to enhance readiness and interoperability.
Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, under NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum, this exercise marked the first time USAREUR-AF demonstrated the ability to command six NATO Corps, enhancing military cooperation and operational planning among Allied forces.”
For the first time, USAREUR-AF operated under the command of JFCBS, demonstrating its capability as a Multi-Corps Land Component Command to lead six NATO Corps in simulated combat scenarios. This convergence, say the Alliance, highlights NATO’s increasing cohesion and preparedness for any potential large-scale threats, while also refining new military concepts and strategies.
Lieutenant General Luis Lanchares, Deputy Commander of JFC Brunssum, reflected on the significance of the exercise: “Avenger Triad 24 was our first opportunity to exercise with U.S. Army Europe and Africa in its role as a Multi-Corps Land Component Command, the highest echelon of command in the land domain. This exercise was a significant milestone on the pathway to convergence between U.S. forces and JFCBS.”
He added that the lessons learned would be invaluable for improving integration and coordination in future exercises.
Good job it was simulated,we can pretend to have all sorts of kit to play with🙄
cynical I know BUT!
BUT. You are right. Sadly
You can scoff, but Training Exercises without Troops are common and have been for, practically, ever. From a HQ’s training perspective it doesn’t matter if when they give orders there are actually troops on the ground carrying them out, or if it’s an OM running a clock and giving passing information back over radios.
A common misconception about training is that it needs to be a completely free flowing and unscripted mimicry of combat conditions, when in fact careful scripting and isolating of individual capabilities usually results in better training outcomes.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not scoffing at all I’ve been on CPX myself👍
Just a dig at the resources we have to move around even on paper.