NATO Allies Force demonstrate river-crossing prowess during exercise Saber Guardian 23.
US and Romanian forces crossed the Danube River in Romania during exercise Saber Guardian 23, proving their ability to move rapidly through difficult terrain during military operations.
Allied forces crossed the Danube River in Romania during exercise Saber Guardian 23, proving their ability to move rapidly through difficult terrain during military operations.
The manoeuvre, called a “wet gap crossing” by military planners, involved small boats and pontoon barges, which the Allied forces strung together to form a bridge across the rushing river. This enabled vehicles from nine NATO Allies – Bulgaria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and the United States – to cross the river, with helicopters and infantry providing covering fire against simulated enemies. These crossings are complicated and precarious operations, requiring skill and coordination to perform successfully.
Held annually in the Black Sea region to help NATO Allies practise this vital skill, Saber Guardian is part of the Defender 23 series of exercises, which are aimed at improving the United States’ ability to rapidly reinforce Europe and perform complex military tasks with Allied troops. The exercise ran from 29 May to 9 June 2023.
