Thousands of British troops and hundreds of vehicles have deployed to Germany to take part in Exercise Cerberus 2024.
Troops utilise drones to assist them on Exercise Cerberus 2024 on the Sennelager Ranges in Germany
Officers of Headquarters Panzerlehrbrigade 9 of the Bundeswehr in their command post on Exercise Cerberus 24.
Soldier from 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team operating at the Brigade Command Post, planning and executing orders under validation of 3rd (UK) Division.
British Army Warrior Infantry Vehicles take part in Exercise Cerberus 2024.
Officers of the 3rd Division conducting a Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) drill prior to Exercise Cerberus commencing.
The main aim of the bi-annual exercise is to train troops from six Brigade Headquarters, belonging to the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and ensure they are combat ready in the simulated environment of the UK’s NATO Forward Holding Base in Sennelager, and its 120 square kilometre training area.
We have had 3,200 soldiers and officers out here in Germany to optimize war fighting skills which is what the British Army is all about. We are learning every day, becoming better and more lethal.
Major General Olly Brown, General Officer Commanding the warfighting 3rd (UK) Division explained:
“It’s a fantastic training opportunity. We have had 3,200 soldiers and officers out here in Germany to optimize war fighting skills which is what the British Army is all about. We are learning every day, becoming better and more lethal.
“We put people under pressure to make them even better in terms of their ability to execute complex missions against a hard charging enemy. The output has been good, and the people have really enjoyed their training.”
The British troops were joined by colleagues from the German Army. Panzerlehrbrigade 9 deployed from their base in northern Germany. It was the first time a German Headquarters had participated in Exercise Cerberus, and like their British colleagues, were subjected to the sternest of tests on this large-scale Command Post Exercise.
Working with our British colleagues has been just fine. We have really enjoyed their comradeship and their friendship. But more importantly it is good to see their professionalism and it is a pleasure to cooperate with them.
Brigadier-General Lutz Kuhn, Commander of Panzerlehrbrigade 9, said:
“Working with our British colleagues has been just fine. We have really enjoyed their comradeship and their friendship. But more importantly it is good to see their professionalism and it is a pleasure to cooperate with them.
“Although we are not being validated, we are excited to take part in the exercise and to fine-tune our own procedures and become better. Sennelager is perfect for this and allows us to train as we should fight. This is a serious topic for us as we look to draw conclusions and lessons learnt from the various conflicts in the world today.”
Soldiers from the following Brigade Headquarters took part in Exercise Cerberus:
· 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team
· 12 Armoured Brigade Combat Team
· 7 Mechanised Brigade Combat Team
· 20 Armoured Brigade Combat Team
· 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade, and
· 1 Aviation Brigade Combat Team
Major General Brown added:
“I’ve been out to see the Headquarters of our NATO ally Germany and they are relishing it. They are in the battle working alongside one of our Brigades.
“We are learning from each other, and we are getting better together on the battlefield.”
The exercise was almost one year in the making and designed by specialists from the UK’s Land Warfare Centre. Major Tony Meagor explained:
“The whole point of this exercise is to prove to our friends and allies that the British Army is ready for whatever comes its way. We are here to reassure our NATO allies and the Germany Army that we are ready to help and support them whatever the mission or whatever the situation.”
Exercises such as Cerberus enhance interoperability and regional understanding whilst demonstrating the ability to respond rapidly to defend and support European allies.
It underlines the UK’s and the British Army’s commitment to NATO and the collective security of Europe by offering 3rd (UK) Division’s contribution to a Strategic Reserve Corps to NATO’s New Force Model.
