The 'Málaga' Tank Battalion conducts an exercise framed within the TIER-2 concept

Column of tanks during the exercise

The "Málaga" Tank Battalion conducted a TIER-2 beta exercise from October 11th to 19th at the "San Gregorio" Training Center (Zaragoza). The purpose of it was training in the planning and conduct of offensive operations within the framework of general combat in open fields and urban areas, with units on the ground conducting live-fire exercises.

The operational organization of the exercise included the personnel and organic assets of the "Málaga" Battalion and a squadron from the "Almansa" Armored Cavalry Group. Simultaneously, the 3rd Battery of the X Field Artillery Group conducted an alpha exercise, participating and integrating into the final tactical scenario with the Battalion, providing support through the execution of live-fire actions.

During the exercise, the Battalion developed an alpha subphase in which Company/Squadron-type units trained at the section and Company/Squadron levels, during which these small units cohesively worked together. This was followed by the development of a beta subphase, which involved the integration of units external to the Battalion.

In the beta subphase, two offensive operations were conducted and executed at the tactical group level, in which planning and rehearsals in a sandbox environment were practiced, along with the other preparatory actions for combat. Once all these actions were completed, the planned operations were carried out, which included live-fire exercises.

The main objective of the exercise was to enhance the preparedness of the participating units and to be ready to integrate effectively wherever and whenever ordered, within the framework of the capability structure that Spain provides to NATO under the TIER-2 reaction time concept. This exercise is a clear demonstration of absolute readiness to operate in all types of environments with decisiveness and power, especially in high-intensity ones, being capable of integrating into multinational structures, as will be the case in its upcoming deployment in Latvia for the enhanced Forward Presence operation.