Apolo 010 at Santarém

Around 1,200 troops from the Brigada de Reacção Rápida (BRR, the Army light brigade), Spanish paratroops and elements from the command staff from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) have been involved in the yearly exercise Apolo. Along with the troops in the ground, several aircraft have participated in the exercise, namely the C-295M and C-130H transport aircrafts and Alouette III and EH-101 Merlin transport helicopters.

The exercise has occurred between June 14th and 21th in the region of Santarém.

Portuguese troops from the Comandos, an elite light infantry unit. Part of the Brigada de Reacção Rápida, the light rapid reaction force of the Portuguese Army, they have been recently deployed in Afghanistan.

Spanish paratroops during the military ceremmony which occurred in the city of Santarém.

Pedro Monteiro