皇冠体育app

Exercise Eagle Eye saw reconnaissance troops from work alongside the Italian Brigata Paracadutisti Folgore in Monte Romano, near Rome.

皇冠体育app aim of the training was to test the brigade鈥檚 full range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, and share techniques and tactics with their Italian counterparts.

After joint training on basic skills, the exercise built up to an assault on a simulated terrorist camp.

Ahead of the attack, British and Italian soldiers worked together behind enemy lines on the ISTAR skills of securing and marking drop and landing zones for paratroopers and helicopters, checking routes were suitable for troops and vehicles to use, intercepting communications and carrying out surveillance from concealed observation posts to build up a detailed picture of the target.

皇冠体育app British units taking part included D Squadron (D Sqn HCR), , , (3 PARA) and .

All provide soldiers for the Air Assault Task Force, which is ready to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice to conduct the full spectrum of military operations, from non-combatant evacuation operations to warfighting.

Captain Ben Neary, of 3 PARA, said:

皇冠体育app success of any operation is down to the intelligence that the plan is built around and this exercise has been about testing our capabilities to gather and act on information. I command 3 PARA鈥檚 patrols platoon and our role is to put troops just ahead of the main force to learn about enemy movements and the ground conditions.

It鈥檚 been a great experience to share our skills with Italian paratroopers. After a long operation in Afghanistan, both armies are regenerating the specialist capabilities of their airborne forces to be ready for future operations. 皇冠体育app Italians have been humble in asking for our advice, but they鈥檙e very capable and it鈥檚 been more of an exchange of ideas.

皇冠体育app strike was carried out by D Sqn HCR, who swapped their core role of conducting reconnaissance patrols in the Scimitar armoured vehicle for an infantry-style operation. Troops were dropped by helicopter at night to covertly march on the target.

Lance Corporal of Horse Mark Doran, aged 29 from Shrewsbury, said:

As a unit we鈥檙e looking to develop our infantry capabilities and this has been a good chance to practice the basic skills in the field. It鈥檚 very tough terrain to move and fight in and we haven鈥檛 slept for two days, but everyone has performed well.

Having Italians with us has added to the challenge but been very enjoyable. At first the language barrier was quite difficult, but we鈥檝e all learned a few words of each others language.

Captain Bruno Ambrosini, of the Italian Savoia Cavalleria Regiment, worked with D Sqn HCR as his unit is changing to perform the same airborne cavalry role.

He said:

It鈥檚 been very hard training but an excellent opportunity to learn from the British, who are allies we have served alongside on operations.

It鈥檚 really good to exchange procedures and knowledge in training, so we can successfully develop our forces and work better with the British in the future.