More than 65 military personnel from the British Army’s Second
Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) will conduct a fully
integrated combined military exercise ‘Pegasus Cedar’ with their
Lebanese counterparts, the Air Assault Regiment, and supported by
the Lebanese Air Force.
Starting today, Exercise Pegasus-Cedar will be the first of its
kind and the largest example of UK – Lebanese military
cooperation in living memory. The exercise will run for ten
days.
British and Lebanese troops will practice tactical skills
including Weapons Handling, Range Shoots, Reconnaissance and
Close Quarters Battle. Troops will also train with the Lebanese
Air Force conducting air support serials and helicopter insertion
and extraction techniques. The exercise will culminate in two
Field Training Exercises. The exercise will test and enhance the
capability of both countries’ troops in a challenging
environment.
The British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, said:
Exercise Pegasus Cedar is a landmark moment in our strong and
enduring partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). It is
the first time in recent memory that British troops will be
exercising jointly with their Lebanese counterparts on Lebanese
soil.
British military training teams continue to work alongside all
branches of the Lebanese military – Army, Navy, Air Force and
Special Forces – to support them in their essential roles and UK
is proud to be a principal partner of the LAF, providing
equipment, training and infrastructure.
The LAF has been and remains at the forefront of safeguarding
Lebanon’s security and stability throughout many challenging
times including the current economic crisis. We stand shoulder to
shoulder with our Lebanese friends as they perform these vital
tasks. Exercise Pegasus Cedar will further cement this strong
partnership and reinforce the deep ties between our two
countries.
The British Defence Attaché, Lt. Col Lee Saunders, said:
I am proud to see troops from UK’s 2nd Battalion of the Parachute
Regiment sharing skills and experiences with LAF’s Air Assault
Regiment and Air Force for the first joint military exercise. The
title of the exercise pays homage to Lebanon’s eternal cedar
tree, whilst Pegasus is the emblem of the British Army’s Air
Assault Brigade, which depicts a white winged stallion from Greek
mythology.
Commander 16 Air Assault Brigade said:
Exercise Pegasus Cedar is a fantastic opportunity for our
soldiers to train with and learn from our Lebanese Air Assault
Regiment (LAAR) counterparts. Although it is not our first time
in Lebanon, it is the first time we have trained at this scale
alongside the LAAR.
Our two Regiments have a close relationship, and this exercise is
the product of several years of partnership. A partnership that
is now delivering fantastic training opportunities for us both.
Notes to Editors:
-
Pegasus is the emblem of the British Army Air Assault
Brigade, which depicts a white winged stallion from Greek
mythology, ridden by Bellerophon. The Cedar gives homage to
the eternal green tree, which is the symbol of Lebanon and is
the centre of its flag as well as featuring in the insignia
of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
-
The Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), is a
formation within the Parachute Regiment, part of the British
Army, and subordinate unit within 16 Air Assault Brigade
Combat Team based in Colchester - a high readiness Brigade
capable of deploying worldwide at short notice on a full
spectrum of missions from non-combatant evacuation operations
to war fighting.
