Belgian Army trains for readiness and responds to real-world emergency during Yellow Condor
The Belgian-led exercise, running Sept. 8 through Sept. 24, brings together 3 Para and supporting elements including 14 Medical Battalion, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, communications specialists, logistics personnel and military police.
For the Belgian Soldiers, training at Grafenwoehr provides access to ranges and live-fire capabilities that are difficult to replicate in Belgium.
“Once we want to move on to bigger exercises, we have to go outside of Belgium,” said Van der Spiegel Dieter, the 3 Para public affairs officer. “Here, you have so many possibilities that we can train almost everything we have.”
Yellow Condor is divided into three phases. The first phase focuses on familiarizing newer personnel with specialized weapons systems and capabilities. The second phase develops technical and tactical proficiency at the squad or detachment level. The final phase brings those capabilities together in a company-level tactical scenario incorporating field training exercises and live-fire exercises.
The training includes weapons handling and shooting skills, heavy weapons, anti-tank capabilities, sniper and mortar live-fire training, mobility, camouflage, trench warfare and the integration of unmanned aircraft systems and counter-unmanned aircraft systems.
Van der Spiegel said the progression allows Soldiers to first learn individual systems before applying them in increasingly complex scenarios.
“It’s one thing to use the blanks, but you want to be able to shoot and see the capabilities of these weapons,” said Van der Spiegel.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for Belgian soldiers to work alongside U.S. personnel and become familiar with similar procedures, helping both forces build an understanding of how to coordinate and work effectively together. While the Belgian and U.S. forces are not conducting all portions of the tactical training together, Van der Spiegel said the two militaries interact through range operations, facilities and administrative processes.
“We are NATO members, so we like to conduct the same procedures as all the other nations,” said Van der Spiegel. “Every country has its own way of conducting training, but we are all training to the same system.”
That interoperability became particularly relevant when a training accident required an immediate medical response near Range 211.
Soldiers with 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment were traveling in an Light Medium Tactical Vehicle from Range 213 back toward Grafenwoehr when the vehicle rolled over. Three medics were involved in the incident.
Personnel from the Belgian Army’s 14 Medical Battalion were already providing medical support in the training area when they received the call for assistance.
Benoit Angélique, a Belgian Army nurse, said the medical team immediately assembled personnel with the experience and capabilities needed to respond. “We all jumped in the car and within a few moments we were there,” said Benoit. “It was like two minutes to drive.”
When the Belgian medical team arrived, other personnel were already providing initial care. Benoit said the Belgian team quickly received a briefing, assessed the situation and began working alongside the U.S. medics. “It made no difference at all whether they were American or Belgian,” said Benoit. “We were all on the same line, with our knowledge in the same direction.”
The Belgian team continued providing care until the ambulance arrived and the patient was ready for evacuation.
For Benoit, the response demonstrated more than medical proficiency. It demonstrated the importance of having trained personnel positioned close to live training activities and the willingness of military medical professionals to assist regardless of nationality.
“It doesn’t matter what uniform someone has,” said Benoit. “Someone needs help, and it is our duty to respond.”
The response also highlighted the value of the medical personnel supporting Yellow Condor. As Belgian units conduct live-fire training across multiple ranges, 14 Medical Battalion provides medical support to help maintain the safety and readiness of the force.
Benoit said the experience reinforced the importance of rapid communication, teamwork and trust among the soldiers responding to an emergency. “I was feeling good that I could help someone in need,” said Benoit. “It was good to do it in partnership with my fellow NATO allies.”
As Yellow Condor moves through its final phase, the Belgian soldiers are applying the skills developed during the exercise in increasingly complex tactical scenarios. For 3 Para and its supporting units, the training at Grafenwoehr is not only about firing weapons or maneuvering through an exercise scenario. It is about building the skills, procedures and relationships required to operate effectively alongside NATO partners when those capabilities are needed.
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