Multinational exercise successfully concluded Saber Junction 2024which saw the participation of 210 parachutists from the Folgore Parachute Brigade at the training area of Hohenfels, Germany. The event, coordinated by the 173rd US Airborne Brigade, involved approximately 4500 military personnel from 11 nations, all NATO members and Airborne Community partners. This impressive exercise is part of the Large Scale Global Exercises (LSGE) and was aimed at testing the readiness and interoperability of units deployed on the ground in the conduct of airborne operations in a warfighting scenario.
The parachutists of the 187th Parachute Regiment 'Folgore'supported by a Forward Support Company of the Logistic Regiment 'FolgoreThey played a leading role, deploying a Battlegroup Command at the head of a multinational Task Force, along with two smaller operational complexes. During the 20-day exercise, the Italian military were engaged in high-intensity airborne defence and attack operations, within realistic combat scenarios that tested their strategic and operational capabilities.
The exercise was a complex challenge not only because of the war simulation, but also because of the difficult environmental conditions, including adverse weather conditions and a vast theatre of operations, allowing the paratroopers to hone their skills in handling operations in extreme and unpredictable environments.
The Folgore Parachute Brigade continues to confirm itself as one of the main instruments at the disposal of the Italian Army to respond rapidly to crisis and emergency situations. Thanks to their ability to project large forces in a short time, the amaranth berets prove themselves ready to operate in any confrontation scenario, demonstrating once again the high level of preparation and professionalism of the Italian Armed Forces in multinational contexts.
Saber Junction 24 provided an important training opportunity, helping to strengthen collaboration and interoperability between the armed forces of different allied countries, further consolidating Italy's central role in NATO's multinational military operations.
What is LSGE 24 (Large Scale Global Exercises 2024)
La Large Scale Global Exercises 2024 (LSGE 24) is a series of multinational military exercises organised by the NATO and its allied countries, designed to strengthen the agility and interoperability of the armed forces involved. These exercises, which will take place from this month until June, see the participation of numerous NATO members and strategic partners around the world.
Coordinated by the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) for the 2024 edition, the LSGE 24 involves military units from various armed forces, including armies, naval, air and land forces of NATO allied countries. The main objective of this series of exercises is to demonstrate the ability of participating nations to operate together in a global, multi-domain scenario, consolidating military cooperation and operational readiness.
The international context, marked by the Russian-Ukrainian conflicthas prompted NATO and its members to intensify cooperation and improve the interoperability of their armed forces. The exercises LSGE 24 also arise from the need to prepare for possible crisis scenarios similar to the current one in Eastern Europe, where rapid response and effective joint operations become essential for collective security.
The programme LSGE 24 comprises about 30 exercises and military activities, each with specific objectives, which aim to test the readiness and efficiency of the armed forces in facing different operational challenges. These activities demonstrate the commitment of NATO and its allies to maintaining global peace and security through a robust and coordinated military presence. Rapid response capability and interoperability between armed forces of different nations are key elements of the exercises.
Among the main exercises of the LSGE 24 there are events such as Allied Spirit, Trojan Footprint, Bomber Task Force, Nordic Response, Arctic Shock, Saber Strike, Immediate Response, Swift Response, Astral Knight, Saber Juntion e BALTOPSmany of which will be held on the European continent, demonstrating the centrality of Europe itself in this context. Other events will take place in different areas of the world, strengthening relations between the participating countries.
This will be the third iteration of the series LSGEIt represents a crucial opportunity to improve the interoperability of NATO forces and to test joint reaction capability in complex operations. At a time when the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has increased global tensions, these multinational exercises, involving thousands of military personnel, highlight the unity and readiness of NATO nations in the face of any potential threat, reaffirming the common commitment to international stability and security.
