South Yorkshire soldier explains role in European military exercise involving 31, 000 troops

A Rotherham soldier played a key role in a multinational military exercise in Poland that involved 31, 000 soldiers from 24 different countries.
Corporal Liam Markham, left, with a colleague during the operation.Corporal Liam Markham, left, with a colleague during the operation.
Corporal Liam Markham, left, with a colleague during the operation.

Corporal Liam Markham, of the 6th Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps based in Germany, travelled to Zagan with his colleagues to provide logistical support to Exercise Anakonda 16 - one of the largest exercise held in Europe since the end of the Cold War. Manoeuvres included staging a night-time helicopter assault and the dropping of paratroopers to build a temporary bridge over a river.

Liam said his team worked mostly with a Spanish brigade and added: “Our main task involved us refuelling vehicles, distributing supplies and water to the infantry soldiers as well as moving equipment around the exercise area as it was needed. It was good interacting with them and gave us an opportunity to look at their vehicles and equipment to see if it was compatible with ours, which in the main it was, and learn from each other.

Corporal Liam Markham.Corporal Liam Markham.
Corporal Liam Markham.
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“An exercise like this is really good as not only do we develop relationships with other NATO countries it is beneficial for our soldiers who have not been in this type of environment before either on exercise or deployment. It gives them a chance to put their training into practice.”

Liam is now preparing to move from Germany as the regiment relocates to Dishforth, North Yorkshire.