Deployment is underway for the European exercise ‘MILEX 26’, which will take place at ‘San Gregorio’

•  This exercise tests the European Union’s rapid deployment capability. Spain is the lead nation and is leading the central battle group, whose core unit is the 16th Canarias Brigade

Spain is hosting the fourth MILEX 26 exercise at the ‘San Gregorio’ Training Centre in Zaragoza, where deployment has already begun and a live field exercise (Live Exercise, Livex) will take place on 18 June.

The aim of MILEX 26 is to test the European Union’s Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) in order to improve crisis preparedness and management, enhance interoperability and strengthen a shared strategic culture among all Member States.

In this way, the exercise trains the European Union’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), acting as the Operational Headquarters (OHQ); Eurocorps personnel, acting as the Force Headquarters (FHQ); and the EU Battle Group, led by Spain (EUBG26). In total, around 2,500 soldiers from 13 Member States are taking part, of whom more than 1,600 are Spanish.

The exercise is thus designed to improve interoperability in the planning and conduct of operations at all levels:

• Strategic level, managed by the Operational Headquarters in Brussels, led by the MPCC.
• Operational level, handled by the force headquarters, comprising Eurocorps personnel, deployed at the Zaragoza training ground.
• Tactical level, under the responsibility of the EU Battle Group (EUBG), also deployed at the Zaragoza training ground. Spain leads this Central Battle Group, with its core unit being the 16th Canarias Brigade (BRICAN XVI), belonging to the Canary Islands Command (MCANA).

For its part, the Tactical Group (AGT) is formed on the basis of the 9th Soria Infantry Regiment, and also includes a company from the Portuguese Army. In addition, it also has combat support units; artillery units (RACA 93); engineer units (BZ XVI); units for protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) agents; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); military police; canine and signals units, belonging to the Headquarters Battalion of the 16th Canary Islands Brigade; and, finally, a combat logistics support unit, comprising the 16th Logistics Group.

As for the national trainers, they comprise:

• A ROLE 2B, which is a medical support post set up by the Medical Group (AGRUSAN).
• A Force Protection (FP) company based on a military police section and two rifle sections from BRICAN XVI.
• A helicopter unit from BHELMA VI in Los Rodeos, Tenerife, with two Super Puma helicopters and two AB-212s.
• An intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) tactical group, based at the General Command in Ceuta, comprising cavalry units from the 3rd Montesa Regiment, equipped with Leopard 2A4 and Pizarro main battle tanks.
• An information support unit, comprising a CIMIC team and an Information Operations (InfoOps) team from the 1st Information Operations Regiment (ROI) in Valencia.
• An electronic warfare (EW) section, belonging to the 31st Electronic Warfare Regiment (REWE) in Madrid.
• An investigation team and a border control team from the Guardia Civil, with an intervention unit (GAR).

The deployment of the Combat Group’s Tactical Group from the Canary Islands is taking place in five phases, with completion scheduled for 9 June. The first of these phases, involving the 16th Logistics Group, has already been completed. The remaining phases are currently being carried out by the 16th Headquarters Battalion, which is travelling by vessel and plane to set up the Command Post; as well as the transfer of the ‘Soria No. 9’ Infantry Regiment; the military vessel Ysabel, which is transporting the ISTAR unit; and the other vehicles belonging to the trainers.

The Day of Visit for Authorities (DVD) will take place on 18 June and will feature a live-fire demonstration by the deployed forces in response to a simulated crisis scenario. The programme will include demonstrations of the Forward Headquarters and the capabilities of EUBG26, including combat vehicles and their crews.