The night jump of dozens of Greek , American and Dutch paratroopers at the Drop Field in Anthophytos Kilkis was one of the most impressive scenarios of the major NATO exercise ”Swift Response 2023” which is in full progress. Giant USAFE C-17 transport aircraft as well as C-130s from Greece and the USA accompanied by A-10 support aircraft and PA F-16 fighters flew over the Drop Zone. The scenario provided for the creation of a large area of air bridgehead. The Joint Forced Entry Operation (Joint Forcible Entry Operation) by paratroopers was tasked with capturing a strategic objective such as an airport. So that it can be a base for transporting a large number of forces with transport aircraft and helicopters.
The scenario involved paratroopers from the 2nd MAL, American Sky Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Vicenza, Italy and Dutch paratroopers from the 11thAirmobile Brigade with experience in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Mali. Greek ETA commandos and Dutch SOF with JTAC (Joint TacticalAttack Controller) duties were deployed on the ground in a support role as well as targeting.
The scenario was escalated in phases.
-Acquisition of local air superiority.
-Close Air Support (CAS).
-Terminal fire control by JTAC (Joint TerminalAttack Controller).
– Marking of Drop Zone and then dropping of supplies and static belt parachutes from transport Aircraft.
-Creation of air bridgehead.
-Receipt of aid.
But the exercise did not end in Kilkis as at dawn and after the scenario that provided for the creation of an airlift had been completed, the paratrooper commandos took on a new mission. They boarded Greek and American Chinook helicopters and moved towards Larissa airport and the 110th Fighter Wing in a new airborne strike action accompanied by Apache attack helicopters which supported the mission as well as American A-10 aircraft. The aim is to capture and secure the airport so that it can be used by friendly forces.
The double scenario of the last 24 hours in Kilkis and Larissa is only a small part of the joint actions of Greeks, Americans and Dutch within the framework of ”Swift Response 2023” in the Greek area. For the umpteenth time recently, the Americans as well as other allied countries such as the Netherlands have given a vote of confidence to the Greek Armed Forces by participating in large-scale exercises in the context of NATO planning. In addition, exercises such as Swift Response are an opportunity to co-train Units and Media with leading and “gunpowder-smoked” Allied Units and Formations, such as mainly the Americans with experience in war zones. At the same time, the opportunity is given for familiarization and joint training with means and weapon systems unknown to the Greek Armed Forces, such as the American A-10 attack aircraft, which Greece does not have in its arsenal. For the newly created Special Warfare Command, which carries the main burden of planning and organizing the exercise scenarios, ”Swift Response” is another test at the staff level.
The choice of Greece to carry out large-scale exercises of the Alliance is not just by chance, at a time when in neighboring Turkey the alliance’s joint actions are minimal to non-existent. And they are limited to specific objects mainly in the air and at sea with NATO and especially the Americans avoiding repositioning of forces on Turkish soil. Contrary to what is happening in Greece, where lately the American presence is becoming more and more intense from Souda and the Air Bases in Western Greece to Larissa and Alexandroupoli.
”Swift Response 23” is being held from Sunday 07 to Saturday 20 May 2023 in parallel in 3 regions of Europe, in Greece, Estonia and Spain, and is part of the cross-sectoral multinational exercise ”DEFENDER EUROPE 23” which planned and carried out by United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) forces, with the aim of enhancing their deterrent capability to respond to any threats against NATO and its partners.
Source: New Post