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2ND DRAFT
all kinds. In addition, there has been a full programme of
national maritime exercises, in certain of which the forces of
other NATO countries have participated.
Bilateral exercises with
the forces of individual NATO countries have been carried out when-
ever possible. Ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service have
provided logistic support for both our own and other NATO naval forces.
59. The Royal Marines have maintained a full programme of training
and exercises. The Mountain and Arctic Warfare Commando Group has
once again completed a three months' period of winter training in
northern Norway, geared to their role on the northern flank of NATO.
During this training, they were accompanied by a company of the
Royal Netherlands Marines. Another Commando Group has carried out
a five-week training period at Suffield in eastern Canada.
60.
Despite our commitments in Northern Ireland, Army units
in the United Kingdom and BAOR have continued with
a full programme of training. Six full battle groups (out of a
planned seven) carried out successful live firing exercises for
armour, artillery, infantry and engineers at Suffield in Canada.
This training contributes greatly to the operational efficiency of
the First British Corps within NATO: seven full battle groups are
again due to exercise in Canada in 1975.
61.
Aircraft of Strike Command, Near East Air Force; RAF Germany and
units of the Royal Air Force Regiment have continued to take part in a
variety of other NATO and national exercises throughout the year.
The Royal Air Force also took part in Exercise DISTANT DRUM (a NATO
command post exercise designed to practise NATO and national plans
in a time of tension.) and a bilateral exercise with the Italians to
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CONFIDENT I AL
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