Soldiers from the Desert Rats were braving an arduous European winter as this issue went to press, operating alongside Nato troops on a huge training package across Romania and Bulgaria.
Exercise Steadfast Dart saw soldiers from 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards lead the charge during serials such as trench clearance and fighting in woods and forests.
The two outfits, from 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, form part of Nato’s new Allied Reaction Force.
They paired with nations including the host country and Spain, working with tanks and fast jets, among other assets.
The manoeuvres also saw the soldiers flex deployment protocols, travelling to training areas in Romania by road across central Europe.
In all, more than 700 vehicles – including the likes of Jackals, Coyotes and Foxhounds – were shipped to ports in Greece and Germany from Marchwood, near Southampton (Soldier, February).
Maj Jamie Graham, OC Delta Company, 4 Scots, said the troops had acquitted themselves well on an exercise involving nine nations.
“There have been – in particular – a lot of junior troops and they have gained a great deal from the training,” he said.
Read more on what went down in Romania in our next issue.
