HQ NRDC-ESP

HQ NRDC ESP

More than 2500 troops participate in these maeuvers, 1300 are Spaniards.

In addition to Spanish troops, also British, Polish an American soldiers take part.

The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), le by Spain, starts the NATO exercise "Valiant Falcon 16"once the full operational capability has been reached on the past 27th of May during the allied exercise "Brilliant Jump".

The exercise will finish on the 6th of June and more than 2500 troops will take part, 1300 of them are Spaniards, distributed in Swietszow and the facilities in "Camp Karlioli", in Zagan Range.

Exercise "Valiant Falcon 16" aims to integrate the planning capabilities and the command and control systems of the units, speed up the procedures in  management and exchange of information, as well as coordinate training activities of the VJTF Brigade. All of this, to train the new NATO force, born in the Wales Summit as part of the Readiness Action Plan agreed by the Chiefs of State of the 28 allied nations.

"Valiant Falcon 16" is divided in two parts. The first one is a Command Post Exercise (CPX), in which the Initial Command Element of HQ NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain (HQ NRDC ESP) and the Advanced Command Post of VJTF of the Light Infantry Brigade Galicia VII (BRILAT) prepare to integrate the command an control procedures.

The second part rests on the real deployment of forces (LIVEX) with Batallion and Company size tactical exercises, aimed to train all the units of the VJTF Brigade to reach an optimal training level.

VJTF, LtG Javier Varela (HQ NRDC ESP), commands all the forces deployed in Poland. Under his command, the VJTF Brigade Commander, General Luis Cebrián (BRILAT), leads the forces integrated in the brigade.

Participating units

Near 300 Spanish troops are deployed in Swietoszow, posted in HQ NRDC ESP (Bétera, Valencia), that provides the Initial Command Element, the Support Batallion and the Military Police Unit; and in the Signals Regiment 21 (Marines, Valencia), which provides a unit in charge of establishing and ensuring communications.

About 1000 Spanish troops are located in "Camp Karliki" where the BRILAT (FIgeuirido, Pontevedra) participates with its Advanced Command Post and San Quintín Batallion (Siero, Asturias). The Logistic Support Task Force 61 (Valladolid) provides the National Support Element that ensures the logistic needs are covered.

Additionally, a British Light Infantry Batallion , a Polish Mechanized Batallion and an American Helicopter Unit complete the roster.

From Spain, also members of the Defense Staff for Operations, the Army HQ, HQ NRDC ESP, Land Forces HQ and the  Logistic Operational Force,  contribute to the execution of the exercise.