IBISON DRAWSKO POLAND - LARGEST EXERCISE

THE LARGEST MILITARY EXERCISE IN EUROPE IN ABOUT 15 YEARS !
     We show you this article and an extended photographic impression of it all !
We live in a challenging period. Question:  Do we stand for each other when the call is upon us ?

PUBLICATIONS IN ITALY and HUNGARY:  I
  
.....Written article PDF here on red button and on the bottom of page II   (parts 1 and 2)
   
 
 
Part II , the QRA part was published in this edition as well:
Below our photographic impressions of BISON DRAWSKO & QRA:i
Divided in 12 seperate parts:
  1- Airdefenders & Medevac   2- Transports to Poland   3- Opening Ceremony
  4- Medevac by Helicopters   5- Unloading tanks   6- Tanks in the battle
  7- Crossing the river   8- NBC troops in the field   9- Electronic warfare, communications
10- Forward command post 11- Reconnaissance in the area 12- QRA ? Scramble scramble !!
 
1: BISON DRAWSKO AIRDEFENDERS & MEDEVACI
Several European countries contributed in the 'QRA' Baltic Air Policing to protect the baltic states.
France with their Mirages, Germany with their Typhoons
Polish F-16's
.. and of course several non-offensive flying helicopters and planes.
2: MANY TRANSPORTS TO POLANDi
All possible material was sent to one of the largest military exercise in Europe in 15 years: BISON DRAWSKO.
Tanks, artillery, a small country like The Netherlands supplied 3600 men and women, and these Panzer Houwitzers.
On an early sundaymorning these 'big guys' were loaded on trains to travel to Drawsko in Poland.....
From several places the material was transported, such as here these CV-90 tanks.
Oh and by the way, it's not only mens work to drive a tank.
A line of houwitzers loaded, the number of centimeters on  both side of the loading wagons are equal exact !
By these transports it was 'safety first', so that but in case of emergency the transports can be done in many hours less.
From the various armybases the tanks were transported by 'Marechaussee', mototized police in this case.
Impressions
At the same time the Quick Reaction Alert is operational 24/7 hours in Poland and Lithuania to intercept any unidentified plane ! 
Here two images of the Dutch deployment in Lithuania, mostly flying in two-ship formation.
These F-16's come from Leeuwarden AFB in Friesland (Netherlands)
i33: OPENING CEREMONY 
Dutch Brigadegeneral Jan Swillens in the role of exercise commander, during the opening-ceremony. 
Scenario's are explained in a sandpit at scale of the real environment
Left...   left... left  two three four
A total of 4.500 troops:  3.600 Dutch, over 500 Polish troops supplemented by German, Belgian, Canadian, Estonian and U.S. soldiers.
A modest parade in the field, the real thing, not a show as in North Korea...no, reality here !
Images of French Mirages depart for QRA from Lithuania to train interception ! 
i4: MEDEVAC BY HELICOPTERS
All aspects are trained, Medevac as well naturally.
W-3 Sokol Polish Medevac helicopter.
During exercise by turn you can be interceptor or the hunted plane. Here a German Typhoon. 
Talking about Medevac, complete surgery can be done in the field, just as in a Hospital.
This goes for the 'first attack' on casualties in planes as well.
Have a beer, be patient both ways, and behave  ;-)))
i5: UNLOADING TANKS
Arrivals of the heavy stuff, during night and day.
All aspects are trained in international combinations.
Also Italy participates in the QRA from Lithuania.
i6: SEVERAL TANKS IN THE BATTLE
Integrated in 43rd mechanized Brigade is a Dutch-German unit from the  414 pantzerbattalion Bundeswehr with 60 tons heavy Leopard 2A6 tanks.
The exercises are very realistic, as the next images show....
The scenariao from the sandpit.....
Real live firing ! Mind your ears... and ride with us the coming 16 images.
i:7: CROSSING A RIVER
Impressions of special forces in action, and transferring material across a river.
It's all lookin a quit and easy operation......
..... but it isn't !
Exrecises were held in the very early morning, and in broad daylight
i8: NBC TROOPS IN THE FIELD
NBC stands for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (warfare) 
Special forces investigate this (tank?) obstacle that might be filled with poisoned gas, heavier than air.
This bunker is tested on gas and/or chemicals.....  Good to have gasmasks !
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