The Combat Training Centre (CTC) in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland was the executive area for the 16th edition of the biannual tactical exercise, EURETEX 24. Organized directly by Eurocorps and planned by the Eurocorps Engineer Branch, this year’s exercise aimed to foster and enhance interoperability among engineers from Eurocorps Framework and Associated Nations, as well as other participating nations. Over the course of two weeks, approximately 1,200 soldiers from 12 countries, including Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, and the United States, along with HQ Eurocorps, participated in the exercise. With all troops actively involved in the exercise and providing support, EURETEX 2024 was a true cooperative effort.
This interview is intended to provide a broad glimpse of the exercise based on the experiences had and lessons learned by one of its participants, LTC Piotr PERNACH (Polish Army).
Before we start with questions about the exercise itself, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am currently a Staff Officer Plans in GENG (Engineering) branch, responsible for the preparation of all documents related to MILENG (Military Engineering) support for both operations and exercises. For EURETEX 24, I was mainly responsible for developing training objectives and the LIVEX concept, drafting operational orders for the LIVEX portion of the exercise and drawing up the Distinguished Visitors Day (DVD) concept. During the exercise, I coordinated all training activities and managed daily orders to keep the exercise running smoothly. In Drawsko Pomorskie, I played two roles: MELMIL Officer and part of the Situation Center, controlling Red force activities. Additionally, during the DVD, I was Officer in Charge of the dynamic exercise, showcasing the main capabilities of engineering and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) forces in support of the infantry element. I am also a happy husband and father.
Can you give us a brief overview of the purpose and nature of the exercise, as well as specifics?
The overall aim of each EURETEX exercise is to foster and enhance interoperability among troops in a multinational environment, focusing mainly on the Functional Areas of Sappers, Divers, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, K9, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense, Military Geography and Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC).
The exercise is typically organized every two years, with the previous edition conducted in Belgium in 2021. However, due to EUROCORPS’ heavy engagement in other duties, EURETEX was moved back from 2023 to 2024. Traditionally, the Host Nation for the exercise has always been a EUROCORPS Framework Nation. After Poland achieved Framework Nation status in 2022, it was therefore decided to organize EURETEX in Poland.
EURETEX is a one-of-a-kind exercise. Organized at the Corps level, the exercise focuses on very low-level tactics, at a maximum, up to the company level.
Was it a demanding exercise?
Indeed it was. It has been a long three weeks since we deployed to the Combat Training Area (CTC) in Drawsko Pomorskie. We’ve been everywhere: on the ground, underwater, on the water and in the air. Divers were deployed for two days to CTC Wędrzyn, about 180 km from Drawsko, to execute underwater demolition training. Synchronizing all these training activities among 12 nations and 7 different Functional Areas has required a great deal of effort. Despite the fact that the CTC is huge area, we had to remain constantly aware that we were not the only unit exercising there. Additionally, differences among nations concerning safety rules, distances and ways of executing specific tasks forced us to coordinate very carefully and to be crystal clear about what the participating nations were tasked with doing each day, and how they would do it. On the last day, I think everybody felt a bit tired, but happy. All training objectives had been achieved.
How long did you prepare for the exercise?
The initial planning conference was organized in April 2023, but the first site survey and coordination meeting were executed in January 2023. Therefore, you could say that it took around 18 months to organize the exercise—to my mind, the standard timeframe for exercises of this kind within NATO.
Was this your first EURETEX? What differences did you notice with previous editions?
It was my first EURETEX exercise; however, I was already stationed at EC in 2021 when the previous edition took place, and some of my coworkers took part in it. Therefore, I believe I have sufficient insight to point out some of the main differences between the 2021 and 2024 editions.
For the first time in EURETEX history, a Live Exercise (LIVEX) was planned and executed, in addition to Functional Area Training. This means that after two weeks of training, EURETEX participants executed a three-day, 24/7 LIVEX based on a realistic Article V scenario. Furthermore, with over 260 sappers participating, the LIVEX portion was to be executed as a Force-on-Force exercise. Practically, this entailed dividing the sappers into two groups: half played the Blue Forces, and the other half played the Red Forces.
Additionally, this exercise marked another first in EURETEX history, as all Functional Areas collaborated throughout the exercise with a full Polish motorized company equipped with Rosomak APCs. All tasks were executed in support of real, rather than imaginary, troops. During the LIVEX, two thirds of the company played Blue, while one third played the Red Forces, providing the flavor of a real-world operation.
What’s more, during the LIVEX, a simulation system was utilized to accurately reflect battlefield conditions. The system not only indicated battle damage inflicted by infantry, but also visually simulated the effects of minefields, contaminated areas and artillery fire. Infantry troops incurred real penalties if they entered a minefield or missed a prepared gap in the minefield.
Lastly, this was the largest EURETEX to date. About 1,200 troops, including supporting units, participated in the exercise.
What was the prevailing opinion among participants/specialists from other countries?
First of all, I think most participants, if not all, were surprised by the size and capabilities of the CTC training area. I was told many times that the tasks they executed would have been impossible at national training areas due to environmental constraints or safety distances.
Next, the participants greatly appreciated the training plan, which was very busy. Besides the usual MILENG and CBRN activities, live shooting was conducted in a variety of conditions and on different shooting ranges. For example, divers executed shooting from boats, Czech sappers trained in forested areas, and German and Spanish sappers conducted shooting from combat vehicles. Training also took place at night, with German sappers were using their mining system to deploy minefields. Of course, only dummy mines were used.
Then, everybody was enthusiastic both to share their experience with other nations’ soldiers and to learn from their comrades. The multinational aspect of this exercise provided genuine added value, a takeaway that everybody had anticipated.
Finally, the training audience was prompt to hail the realism of the scenarios and the focus on Article V operations. This focus aligned perfectly with what they have been preparing for throughout their military careers.
You are leaving Eurocorps this year. What have these last three years meant to you?
Good question. Generally speaking, for both for me and my family, it was an opportunity I did not miss out on, but rather seized to the fullest extent.
What are your plans for the future?
From professional perspective, I plan to continue serving my country. I have already been appointed as a teacher at the Polish Military Academy of Land Forces, and for that, I think the experience gained during EURETEX 24 will be very useful. As I am going to shape future young officers, the three weeks I spent coordinating and executing the exercise at the platoon and company levels served as an excellent refresher. It allowed me to revisit small unit tactics, which are quite different from the work I have done over the past three years at EC, often requiring a Small Joint Operation mindset.
Piotr, thank you very much for this interview. It was a pleasure to learn more about your EURETEX 24 story and your experiences both personal and professional. I wish you all the best for your next assignment at the military academy and every success for your future projects. Your dedication and passion for your work are truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that you will excel in your new role at the academy.
First EUROCORPS exercise in Poland
Video produced by Polska Zbrojna and subtitled by EUROCORPS
