Hundreds of British and French troops quite literally joined forces today as they took part in an international training exercise, practising parachute jumps and rapid landing in Scotland today.
About 1,300 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army's rapid reaction force, and 300 troops from the French counterpart arrived by air in the West Freugh airfield near Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway.
It is all part of practising their ‘theatre entry phase’ of Exercise Joint Warrior, a major military drill this month involving forces from the UK, US, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Holland.
Double drop: British soldiers from 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, descend from the sky during joint exercise with French Airborne Forces in Stranraer, Scotland
As one: Exercise 'Joint Warrior' sees British and French airborne forces demonstrate their readiness to be deployed together on contingency operations, ranging from disaster relief to war fighting
Grounded: Exercise Joint Warrior is a a major military drill involving forces from the UK, US, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Holland
The training drill, part of a larger training called Exercise Joint Warrior, saw the troops tasked with stabilising an area disputed by two fictional nations which are divided by economic and ethnic factors.
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Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe planned this year, and involves nearly 13,000 military personnel from nine countries - including 5,250 from the UK - more than 30 warships and over 65 aircraft and helicopters.
Taking place twice a year, the training aims to test how the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force work together and with allied forces.
Super troopers: Nearly 13,000 military personnel from nine countries, including 5,250 from the UK, are expected to take part in the exercise
Sky high: About 1,300 Brits and and 300 French troops from arrived by air in the West Freugh airfield near Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway
Just hanging: The exercise is a final training opportunity for the 2 PARA battlegroup ahead of taking on the Air Assault Task Force role from May
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Exercises of this type ensure that our armed forces are prepared to meet any challenge.
‘They give us the chance to test the way the different services and different nations work together, something that is vital in a multilateral world.’
A joint force from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and the French 1er Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes also parachuted in to capture Castle Kennedy airfield.
Securing the airfields marks the beginning of training that will confirm the two brigades' readiness to deploy together at short notice on contingency operations, ranging from disaster relief to war fighting.
It also provides a final training opportunity for the 2 PARA battlegroup ahead of taking on the Air Assault Task Force role from May.
Big time: Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe planned this year
Finding their way: The Pathfinder Platoon during today's exercise in Stranraer, Scotland
Ready to go: A soldier from 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment unpacks his equipment after parachuting into the field where the exercise was held
In the field: Exercise Joint Warrior is held twice a year and aims to test how all sections of the British Army work together and with foreign allied forces