Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  2023  /  Polish Armed Forces conclude Anakonda 23 with NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland as one of participants

SZCZECIN, Poland - Between April 17 and May 16, around 12,000 service members with the Polish Armed Forces took part in the live fire (LIVEX) portion of exercise Anakonda 23. Poland's biggest military exercise is conducted every three years, with this year's focus placed on the training of the Polish 18th Mechanized Division which Area of Responsibility encompasses eastern Poland. Aside from the Polish Armed Forces, Anakonda 23 saw multiple NATO Allies, including NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Poland.

Anakonda serves the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces to plan and conduct joint defence operations. Although it is land-centric, air as well as maritime headquarters and forces are crucial for a real-live joint exercise experience. In addition to the regular areas of war fighting, also hybrid challenges have been implemented in order to create military dilemmas for commanders.

US soldiers with NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland perform a wet gap crossing during exercise Anakonda 23 © 15th Meachanized Brigade, POL A

NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland employs firepower as part of combined arms maneuvers during exercise Anakonda 23 © NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland 

Lieutenant General Tomasz Piotrowski, Operational Commander Polish Armed Forces (middle), talks to Lieutenant Colonel James Ray, Commander NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland, while visiting the Battlegroup during exercise Anakonda 23 © NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland

Among participating Allies were the United States, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Turkey as well as NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland. Working alongside the Polish Army's 15th Mechanized Brigade, the Battlegroup supported the Brigade's assigned mission, while amplifying their combat power and interoperability. Operations of the armored forces were supported by artillery, anti-aircraft, reconnaissance, engineering troops and aviation.

With the United States as the Framework Nation, NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland is currently led by the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and comprises three other Allies, i.e., Croatia, Romania and the U.K. They all work in concert with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade into which the Battlegroup is integrated.