2 days later the next RoRo from the UK arrived. That same morning more packets of vehicles departed, the process was all the same for this RoRo and troops departing.

During my time in Greece I got a good understanding of the processes behind such a large scale deployment and how many moving parts are involved. The Collaboration between all the nations who were there was incredible, the Hellenics were welcoming and accommodating. The Spanish were willing to help, assist and take part in multiple elements.

From Greece I then flew up to Romania to join the rest of the NATO Media Information Centre( NMIC) in Galati. The NMIC was lead by JFC( N), they had around 6 Combat Camera Teams( CCT) which consisted of a Photographer, Videographer and a Team Leader. In Greece I had been both the Photographer

In January 2025 I deployed as a Photographer and Videographer on Exercise STEADFAST DART 25 as an augmentee for Joint Forces Command( Naples)( JFC( N)). Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 will test and train the operational deployment of the Allied Reaction Force( ARF) to NATO Vigilance Area South-East, focusing on the planning and execution of a pre-crisis multi-domain activity that aims to reinforce the Allied forces located in Romania and Bulgaria.

For the first part of my deployment took me to Greece, I headed to Northern Greece to the Seaside port of

Alexandroupolis. Here is where Roll on Roll off( RoRo) ships arrived from the UK and Spain. Bringing a range of Military vehicles from their respected countries. Each RoRo contained around 200 vehicles. My first day at Alexandroupolis Port, I witnessed the Spanish vehicles being loaded onto Rail to begin the trip to Romania.

The following day the first UK RoRo arrived from the Sea Mounting Centre( SMC) in Marchwood. We headed out at around 0500 to get onto one of the Tug Boats that would assist the ships arrival into the port, once the ship was in place, we got back onto ground and the unloading began. The speed of the unloading and organising was definitely faster than I had expected. There was a huge variety of vehicles coming off of the RoRo, Land Rovers, MAN SVs, Jackals, Mastiffs, Fox Hounds, Heavy

Equipment Transporters( HET). All of the vehicles were then prepped for the 4 day road move from Greece, across Bulgaria to their final destination in Romania. Vehicle Commanders conducted first parades, drivers conducted checks and the Hellenic military refuelled the vehicles.

2 Days later in the early hours of the morning, the first packets arrived to prepare to leave the Port. Vehicle and document checks were conducted whilst they waited for the Hellenic Police escorts to arrive. At 0530 the first packet departed the docks, travelling around the city of Alexandroupolis and on their way to Bulgaria. and Videographer so it was nice to get working in a team with other nations Content Capturers / Creators. The NMIC had personnel from the UK, Belgium, France, Spain, Greece, Romania and Germany conducting various roles.

Romania was a completely different climate to Greece, Greece had been warm and sunny, Romania was still cold and wet with the odd snow shower. During my week in Romania, I managed to get up to the training area, capturing the arrival of the vehicles that had departed Greece, the Engineers using civilian plant machinery to create some hard standing for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to conduct repairs and the Royal Signals who were setting up the Command Post communications.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience covering the various elements of the deployment and movement across Europe of a large-scale Exercise. It has helped me to better understand the Logistical side of deployments and working in a large fully functioning NMIC. I hope that next year I will be able to join onto the main NATO Exercise again and work alongside the other nations talented content capturers and creators.