ERMES 1/24 Exercise Concluded in Bulgaria

The "ERMES 1/24" exercise, coordinated by the Northern Operational Forces Command and aimed at preparing units for upcoming deployment in the NATO enhanced Vigilance Activity (e-VA) mission in Bulgaria, has concluded. Specifically, the 132nd Field Artillery Regiment "Ariete" conducted the activity at the Cellina Meduna training area.

During the exercise, a "multi-caliber" Artillery Group Command Post was simulated, involving, in addition to the 132nd regiment, the Horse Artillery Regiment and the 5th Field Artillery Regiment (rocket launchers) "Superga". Each regiment deployed a Battery and a Joint Fire Support Team, as well as an MLRS Section stationed in Portogruaro.

The main objective of ERMES 1/24 was to enhance the technical and professional skills of the personnel, with an emphasis on warfighting. Additionally, it aimed to improve the management of information flows, even under suboptimal conditions, and to consolidate Command and Control procedures in line with NATO standards.

The exercise was carried out in perfect synergy with the Command of the 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete", simultaneously engaged in a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the "Mittica" Barracks. This simultaneity allowed for the strengthening of cooperation and interoperability among the various units involved.

ERMES 1/24 represented an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen the operational capabilities of the participating units in a realistic training context, highlighting the importance of continuous preparation and updating of procedures to ensure the readiness of the armed forces in multilateral and international cooperation contexts. The presence on site of the current Commander of the 132nd Brigade, Gen. "Ariete 1" Marco Longo, underscored the operational importance of the exercise and the strong commitment to consolidating effective synergies.