ARRC NEWS
Exercise ARRCADE ANGLESEY 25
Capt Andrew Graff
Wales, UK: From 29 Sep – 03 Oct, led by ACOS G9 Lt Col Stroier, the G9 team gathered for a focused and energising training week designed to prepare us for Ex AVT25 and continue the momentum from Op TEAMWORK 25. For the G9 branch at HQ ARRC, this week was not only about refining our operational readiness but also about strengthening our cohesion as a team following recent organisational changes.
We began the week with the presentation of a clear set of aims and objectives, led by Lt Col Stroier. We had the opportunity to cover practicalities relating to our imminent deployment on Ex AVT25 and provide our contributions to the AVT25 read-in, which included a deep dive into our structure, the Intelligence Preparation of the Environment( IPOE), and Civil Environment Planning( CEP). These sessions were essential in aligning our understanding and expectations for the upcoming exercise.
Tuesday brought a more reflective tone as we reviewed lessons from AVT24 and THOR2. Maj Bryden led this session, and it was encouraging to see how much we had learned and how those insights are shaping our approach to AVT25. Lt Col Svatos facilitated a productive Civil- Military Interaction( CMI) working group, which brought together all the key CMI stakeholders for AVT25 and sparked ideas for improving our engagement strategies.
Midweek, we transitioned from HQ ARRC to RAF Valley on the Welsh Island of Anglesey, with a stop for Lt Col Stroier to attend a remembrance event at the National Memorial Arboretum. The move marked a shift in focus from planning to team building. Our accommodation at RAF Valley Officers’ Mess was comfortable and well-suited to the next phase of training.
Thursday’ s team-building activity on Anglesey was a standout experience with the team visiting two key sites.
Llanddwyn Island( Ynys Llanddwyn), located off the southwest coast of Anglesey, is closely associated with Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and offered civil-military lessons rooted in its geography, cultural heritage, and symbolism. The island is a place of pilgrimage and cultural significance, which highlighted the importance of Military operations in or near culturally significant areas being sensitive to local traditions and beliefs. Likewise, symbolic terrain like Llanddwyn can carry emotional and historical weight for local populations. This reminded us that CIMIC teams must understand and respect these associations to build trust and avoid unintended tensions.
Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey, although never fully completed, provided insights into the relationship between military power and local populations
The castle was built over an existing village, displacing the local population. This reflects a historical disregard for civil considerations in military planning integration with Civil Infrastructure. Today, CIMIC principles emphasise respect for local populations and operations must consider the impact on civilians to avoid unnecessary disruption. Modern civil-military cooperation also emphasises early and meaningful consultation with civil actors so that stakeholder engagement can prevent long-term resentment and instability.
We wrapped up the week with a meal at a well-regarded local restaurant before returning to ARRC on Friday, tired but fulfilled. The training week was a success not only in terms of preparation for AVT25 but also in fostering a stronger, more unified team. As we look ahead to a busy training program, the G9 cell can be confident that the groundwork laid during this week will serve us well.
10 WINTER 2025 the imjin @ HQARRC NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps @ HQARRC