Last year, the EU carried out its first live exercise (MILEX-23) of the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC), which took place 16-22 October 2023, in Spain. MILEX-24 was a Command Post Exercise (CPX), that took place 8 April – 3 May in Brussels. Connected to MILEX 24, is the EU RDC LIVEX, which started on the 26^th of November in Bergen, Germany. The Operations Headquarters (OHQ) will be situated in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Brussels and the FHQ is Eurocorps.

The exercise focuses on the execution of the OPLAN developed during the Crisis Response Planning Phase and 15 Member States participate; Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Hungary, Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden. Moreover, approximately 1,700 military personnel participate in this year’s LIVEX. The main aim of the exercise is to test interoperability in planning and conduction common operation at multiple levels.

Overall, joint military exercises play a critical role in enhancing robust capabilities, promoting interoperability among European Armed Forces, and fostering a shared military culture. The latter is essential for working towards a European Defence Union. However, it is equally vital to acknowledge the human dimension of these efforts: the social and working rights of military personnel. These men and women are the backbone of successful operations and exercises, and their rights and wellbeing must not be marginalised.