Frag Out! Magazine

On Apr. 18th, during the media day, joint operational capabilities were presented at one of the key critical infrastructure investments created lately - a complex of locks, connec- ting the Vistula Spit, and the Baltic Sea. Ultimately the locks would be- come a part of the project that wo- uld make Elbląg become another Polish seaport. Apart from the me- dia, the exercise was also observed by President Andrzej Duda, and Minister of Defence Mariusz Błasz- czak. 16th Mechanized Division was the main element involved in the exer- cise. It was supported by selected elements of the Land Forces, Air Force, Territorial Defence Forces, and the SOF component. Apart from the Polish soldiers, the exer- cise also involved the NATO Bat- talion Battle Group, stationed in Orzysz daily. The main goal of the exercise was to demonstrate the capabilities within the scope of responding to military and non-military threats targeting critical infrastructure. That scenario also included a de- monstration arranged for the me- dia. Within the said scenario, a gro- up of terrorists took control of the locks complex of the Vistula spit. Another group was inserted on pa- rachutes, and its objective was to board a vessel moored in the port. The vessel was protected thanks to the boarding inspection team remaining onboard. The locks, ho- wever, had to be recaptured by joint forces. The scenario assumed that the ORP Toruń landing ship escor- ted by the ORP Piorun missile boat approach the beach to allow the BWP-1 IFVs to storm the area. Once the beach was captured, a wheeled element using the Cougar MRAP platforms and Rosomak APCs (with a sliding machine gun sta- tion, and a MEDEVAC variant) was deployed for direct action. The tro- ops on foot engaged the terrorists, also at the Port's Master Office. The air component was supporting the operations. The airspace was being secured by the MiG-29 and Lockheed Martin F-16C Jastrząb fighters, also performing specta- cular low passes in front of the observers. The troops tasked with "clearing" the facility were suppor- ted by the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade REPORT

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