EUROCORPS – MILEX26
18 June 2026
Zaragoza, Spain, 18 June 2026. As MILEX26 draws to a close, the focus gradually shifts from execution to analysis. While soldiers complete their training activities across the San Gregorio Training Area, another team is already looking beyond the exercise itself. Behind every scenario, operational challenge and decision stands EXCON – the EXercise CONtrol organisation. Its mission is not only to steer the exercise, but also to ensure that training is transformed into lessons learned in order to implement that into the readiness for the European Union’s Rapid Deployment Capacity.
At the centre of this effort is Senior Master Sergeant Nathalie from Belgium, serving as EXCON Chief Administrator at MILEX26. Having joined Eurocorps almost twenty-five years ago, she has supported multinational exercises, operations and headquarters activities throughout her career. During that time, she has witnessed the evolution of both Eurocorps and European military cooperation.
For EXCON, MILEX26 is about creating realistic situations that challenge participants and test procedures.
“We create events and injects that could realistically occur during an operation,” explains Nathalie. “The objective is not to catch people out. If a problem is identified during an exercise, that is already a success. You can only improve what you have discovered.”
This approach lies at the heart of MILEX26. The exercise is designed to validate multinational cooperation under realistic conditions, allowing forces and headquarters to adapt, learn and strengthen their ability to operate together.
Over the years, Nathalie has seen headquarters systems, communications and procedures become increasingly sophisticated. English has become firmly established as the common working language, and multinational cooperation has become more seamless.
Yet the greatest strength remains the people.
“At the beginning of every exercise, different military cultures and working methods come together. After a few days, everyone finds their role and the team starts working as one. We are preparing for situations where multinational forces may have to act together. Exercises are where we build that understanding and trust.”
For Nathalie, MILEX26 also highlights an important reality: success depends on every rank group. From junior soldiers and specialists to non-commissioned officers, warrant officers, staff officers and generals, each contributes to the overall effectiveness of the force.
After nearly twenty-five years at Eurocorps and almost fifty exercises and headquarter activities across Europe, Nathalie remains motivated by the multinational environment.Along the way, she has become familiar with much of Europe through its training areas.
“I have probably seen half of Europe through military exercises,” she says with a smile. “Every training area has its own challenges – from extreme heat and dust to rain, mud and freezing temperatures. Each environment teaches something different.”
Today serving as a reservist, she also highlights a contribution that sometimes remains unseen.
“Reservists are not always visible, but they provide valuable experience, continuity and support. They remain an important part of the team.”
As MILEX26 approaches its conclusion, Nathalie believes the true value of the exercise lies not only in what was accomplished, but in what was learned.
“You need a positive mindset. When you recognize a problem, you have already taken the first step toward solving it.”
That principle reflects the purpose of EXCON itself.
Readiness is not only created when everything goes according to plan. Readiness is created when multinational teams learn, adapt and improve together. That is exactly what MILEX26 was designed to achieve.
