RAF Regiment personnel from the Combat Readiness Force participated in Exercise Aeolus 24, in Crete, from 9th to 13th December 2024.
This was NATO’s first dedicated Counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (C-CBRN) - Command and Control exercise in several years. It saw over 100 (primarily Royal Air Force – but also Army) C-CBRN Command and Control Specialists from 13 Nations across NATO – and its Austrian and South Korean Allies – training collectively. CBRN Advisors and Warning & Reporting Cells were able to rehearse and hone their skills, as they assessed a series of challenging CBRN scenarios and advised Senior Commanders on resolution options. The Greek hosted NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre, in the spectacular setting of Souda Bay, provided an exceptional training environment and opportunity for NATO and Multinational integration.
In this ever more challenging Defence environment, Weapons of Mass Destruction are an increasing concern once again. It’s essential that our Command and Control Training – as part of our wider C-CBRN preparedness – is on point; Exercise AEOLUS makes a fantastic contribution to this. I’m excited to be involved in this enduring NATO initiative and all that it is adding to our National and Alliance readiness.
Flight Lieutenant Bond
UK Detachment Commander and NATO Mentor
With a leading role in co-ordination of RAF C-CBRN preparedness, the Combat Readiness Force contributed a six-strong RAF Regiment Team to the exercise. Three experts from the RAF Force Protection Centre’s AIR Counter-CBRN Team (ACCT), from RAF Honington, acted as NATO Mentors and Exercise Control Staff. Meanwhile, the exercising CBRN Advisor and Cell Staff came from HQ 3 Force Protection Wing and 2623 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment, at RAF Marham and II Squadron RAF Regiment, at RAF Brize Norton.
Exercise AEOLUS was an ideal opportunity to practice and build upon the skills I learnt as a Cell Controller and to work as a complete CBRN cell, alongside the Defence Advisor. Operating alongside other NATO nations, with multiple CBRN injects, allowed the whole Cell to gain experience in a variety of situations, which we can now utilise back at our own units.
Sergeant Plane
CBRN Cell Controller (RAF)
ACCT-led preparation in the UK enabled the whole Combat Readiness Force element to deploy and train highly confidently, credibly and successfully in the NATO environment. There were outstanding opportunities both to contribute to and learn from other Partner Nations.
This opportunity to train alongside our Partners again and build on the success of previous NATO Exercises is fundamental to the Alliance in today’s world and forges stronger bonds with our NATO colleagues and friends - as always, it’s been an amazing and fulfilling experience. Introducing newer members of the RAF to the NATO C-CBRN Community further develops our capability and commitment against the threats we all face. Exercise AEOLUS has been very memorable and worthwhile for all involved.
Corporal Dobson
NATO Exercise Control Cell (RAF)
Following the success of Exercise Aeolus 24, NATO now intends to run the event annually each December. Prior to Aeolus 25, though, RAF C-CBRN capabilities are also due to participate in Exercise Toxic Trip 25, a Deployed Operating Base Live Exercise at Orland Airfield, in Norway, in September 2025. Both exercises are now Key Pillars of the NATO C-CBRN preparedness training and the UK, RAF and Combat Readiness Force expect to be at the heart of them ongoing.
