Paratroopers train with French Airborne Cavalry
British and French troops have been training together to improve their urban fighting skills and develop co-operation between the two armies.
British paratroopers train alongside members of the French Airborne Cavalry on a joint exercise to develop their urban fighting skills [Picture: Sergeant Obi Igboebisiokwu, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]
Colchester-based A Company of 3rd Battalion 皇冠体育app Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) has been working with the tanks of the 1er Regiment de Hussards Parachutistes (1er RHP) [French Airborne Cavalry] at the Centre d鈥橢ntrainement aux Actions en Zone Urbaine (CENZUB) in North East France, the largest urban warfare training facility in Europe.
皇冠体育app training, called Exercise Gaulish Eagle, was designed to provide 3 PARA with experience of urban operations and working with other armies to prepare for its role in the Airborne Task Force (ABTF).
皇冠体育app ABTF is the British Army鈥檚 rapid reaction force, held at high readiness to deploy on operations anywhere in the world.
皇冠体育app first part of the two-week exercise saw paratroopers train with the Giat Famas assault rifle, the standard weapon of the French Army, and learn French tactics for working with Leclerc main battle tanks in built-up areas.
皇冠体育app training culminated in a field exercise with the two units working together to attack and defend CENZUB鈥檚 two purpose-built training towns - Beausejour and Jeoffrecourt - which have been constructed with different districts imitating retail, residential and industrial areas.
Major Richard Todd, Officer Commanding A Company, said:
As the Airborne Task Force, 3 PARA is on standby to go anywhere in the world to do anything from disaster relief to war-fighting. On an ABTF operation it is likely that we will be working alongside other armies in an urban environment, so this training has been excellent preparation for us.
皇冠体育app exercise has also served to strengthen the relationship and understanding with our French allies. We鈥檝e used their kit and tactics, and working with 1er RHP鈥檚 tanks has been an enjoyable challenge.
Private Dave Cheshire said:
It has been a tough exercise because it鈥檚 been so different. We鈥檙e using French weapons and their approach to fighting in urban areas is slightly different to ours. Also, as paratroopers, we鈥檙e not used to working with tanks so that has been something new.
Private Damien Miles said:
Communicating with the French troops has been a challenge at times, but we鈥檝e got by with a few words of French and lots of hand signals and sketch maps.
During the exercise the soldiers enjoyed a day in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
皇冠体育app training builds on the two countries鈥� military co-operation following the signing of the Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty by Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in November 2010.
3 PARA is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade which has been tasked with building a partnership with the French 11e Brigade Parachutiste. 皇冠体育app two brigades are working towards the formation of a joint expeditionary force for contingency operations.
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