Nato-led Exercise Steadfast Javelin II concludes

500 paratroopers were dropped over Lielvarde Airbase in Latvia, to take control and clear the airfield of enemy forces during Exercise Steadfast Javelin II. Photo Nato.

10 September 2014 army-technology.com

The member countries of Nato have completed the large-scale, multinational Steadfast Javelin II exercise, which tested the allied interoperability.

Carried out in Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, the seven-day exercise involved the participation from more than 2,000 troops from ten allied nations.

The participating countries included Poland, Italy, Canada, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, the UK and the US.

The Nato Allied Land Command-led drill was aimed at increasing interoperability and synchronising complex operations between allied air and ground forces through airborne and air assault missions.

Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCB) commander general Hans-Lothar Domrose said: "With this exercise, Nato sent the clear message that it is committed and ready to protect member nations' territory at any time.

"The alliance is capable and willing to defend the countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland should the need arise."

During the exercise, 500 paratroopers were dropped from a US Air Force's (USAF) C-130 aircraft over the Lielvarde Airbase in Latvia, in order to take control and clear the airfield of enemy air defence and forces.

In addition, 160 allied force paratroopers were dropped in a similar operation in Lithuania.

The airdrops were combined with air-assault raids across Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, to demonstrate how well Nato air and ground troops work in tandem.

Before the start of drill, air and ground forces gathered at the Ramstein Airbase in Germany to begin planning, rehearsals and the loading of equipment and paratroopers necessary for the successful completion of the mission.