As part of a regularly conducted exercise, military forces from more than ten countries are currently training for emergencies on a training ground near Hohenfels in the Upper Palatinate (district of Neumarkt). More than 6,000 soldiers are deployed in the “Allied Spirit 2022” exercise – including a good 1,500 from Germany, said a spokesman for the Bundeswehr’s 1st Armored Division on Thursday, which plays a leading role in the exercise. The USA, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Latvia and the Netherlands are also involved.
The “Allied Spirit” exercise takes place regularly – but according to the Bundeswehr, it has nothing to do with the current Ukraine conflict. “Clearly no,” emphasized the spokesman. Planning for this year’s edition began a good two years ago. According to the Bundeswehr announcement, large units of NATO forces and multinational partners are being trained on the US-run training ground in order to make them deployable for land operations anywhere in the world. The exercise lasts until early February.