The first step of their training was marked by technical demonstrations on weaponry and combat vehicles to identify inter-allied combat and logistical support capabilities. The French presented the tactical and off-road capabilities of the light armored vehicle SERVAL, the use of the light reconnaissance vehicle FARDIER, individual and collective combat equipment, including weaponry (Glock, HK416, SCAR, MAG MMP, 81mm Mortar, Mini 7.62, MAG 58), and drones.
The Spanish legionnaires, in turn, showcased their equipment, including the "G36" assault rifle, grenade launcher, Mistral missile, 105mm mortar, URO VAM TAC vehicle, and tactical drones.
We are here to prepare ourselves to intervene in the early stages of a crisis to help strengthen defences
Less than 48 hours later, the battlegroups resumed field action, following the lead of the ARF's land component under General WATSON's command. Determined to work alongside Romanian armed forces to collectively ensure a rapid response to any threat, units divided the training areas of the Cincu camp to assault trench networks, conduct firing exercises, and perform motorised combat sequences. The Romanian terrain, in the middle of winter, offers paratroopers an ideal setting to challenge all defensive combat procedures: mobile defence, fixed defence, position reliefs, combat rescue, approach surveillance, anti-tank ambush, etc.
Romanian, Spanish and French forces are thus uniting to develop common and effective procedures, driven by a results-oriented culture and a unifying pioneering spirit. According to Colonel de Poncharra, Commander of the French Task Force, "all the fighters demonstrate a formidably effective combat aggressiveness. Despite language differences, men of action and brothers in arms understand each other. This is very encouraging for the tactical leader that I am."
Near the trenches, battle group commanders have given their orders for joint instruction and are directing the training: "We are here to prepare ourselves to intervene in the early stages of a crisis to help strengthen defenses. If necessary, we must locally regain the upper hand over the adversary. This requires great coordination to leave no gaps between units, both at the front and in depth. We must understand each other, synchronize our methods to be able to abruptly stop an aggression", commander of the French Task Force said.
Spanish and French military personnel continuously exchange methods and tactics. "We were able to discuss our combat procedures. Our comrades from the Spanish Legion shared extremely enriching feedback on trench warfare. On our side, we were able to demonstrate our procedures dynamically. Trench warfare is similar to urban combat in general; it is a very demanding combat that requires cunning, caution, and aggressiveness," explains Sergeant Gaëtan.
On this rugged terrain, French paratroopers, Spanish legionnaires, British and Romanian soldiers share their combat experiences and are ready to fight together if the mission requires it. According to Lieutenant Hansen, commander of a French combat section, "the Spanish Legion has specialised in trench warfare, a light assault unit that uses swiftness, and we find a common approach to combat. They extensively use drones at the platoon level for reconnaissance and attack, particularly FPV (first-person view) drones to determine entry points and seize them; this is what we are experimenting in the French 11th Para Brigade also."
Naturally, similarities emerge, and the fluidity of maneuvers is quickly acquired. This is likely due in large part to the common infantry standards among NATO nations. This shared language of war among allies is essential to ensure the coherence of maneuvers and victory in combat.