UK military medics strengthen NATO medical readiness in Estonia

British military medical personnel have taken part in Exercise Vigorous Warrior 26, a multinational NATO exercise to test medical support in an operational scenario.

UK Defence Medical personnel have supported a major NATO medical exercise in Estonia designed to strengthen the Alliance’s ability to deliver medical care during large-scale operations.

Exercise Vigorous Warrior is a medical exercise hosted by a different NATO member biannually, this year taking place in Estonia between 8 and 20 June.

More than 2,000 personnel from 32 NATO Allied and partner nations took part, with UK Defence Medical personnel deploying as a 50-strong British Tri-service medical force alongside non-medical UK military personnel.

Brigadier Chris Wright, Head of Medical Operations and Capability, who attended the exercise, said:

Exercise Vigorous Warrior is an important opportunity for UK Defence Medical personnel to train with our NATO Allies here in Estonia and demonstrate how we contribute to collective defence.

Medical support is fundamental to operational effectiveness. By testing casualty care, patient movement and medical logistics in a realistic multinational scenario, we are strengthening our ability to support personnel on operations and improving interoperability across the Alliance.

No one nation can meet every challenge alone. Exercises like this help ensure that, when NATO needs to act together, our medical systems, people and processes are ready to work together.

The UK contribution included an Aeromedical Staging Unit deployed by RAF Tactical Medical Wing and Army Reserve personnel from 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron, part of 16 Medical Regiment.

Personnel tested Role 1 medical capability, which provides immediate frontline care including lifesaving treatment, stabilisation and basic primary care, and supported wider patient care, movement and evacuation activity across the exercise.