Exercise Ardent Ground 2002
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The annual live firing training exercise, Ardent Ground, is taking place in northern Germany from 12-24 May. Its aim is to train elements of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) to carry out its various military and humanitarian functions.
Approximately 3000 military personnel are taking part in the exercise from ten NATO countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Soldiers from the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (land) will be joined by an air attack team, six artillery batteries, eleven mortar platoons, several aircraft and helicopters, and various supporting elements.
The Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (land) is a part of NATO's Immediate Reaction Forces and is equipped and trained to deploy in support of the broad range of NATO operations, from humanitarian assistance to full combat missions. Some sections of the Force maintain a high state of readiness and are able to deploy within 72 hours; the remainder of the Force, equipment and supplies is deployable within thirteen days.
NATO's Immediate Reaction Forces consist of land, maritime and air components which are available on short notice to serve as an early military response to a crisis in the Euro-Atlantic region.