As part of the force preparation activities, the 132nd "Ariete" armored brigade conducted, with the coordination of the command North Operating Forces, the "Temper of Steel" exercise, which was born from the desire to increase the training output of the departments of the large combat unit, increasing the level of complexity of the Command and Control (C2) operational function both in the planning and conducted, in plain sight, with the dependent units deployed on the ground in the Cellina-Meduna training area.
The complex exercise, conducted in the same phase of the same current operational scenario, which saw the armored brigade in a former offensive operation. Art. 5 of NATO, arises from the federation of three training activities of different types: Command Post Exercise (CPX) of the brigade command, “Demetra 1/24” and “Artemis 1/24”, respectively leading the 32nd tank regiment and the Novara Lancers (5 °).
With this in mind, "fire" training activities were conducted at platoon level and "blank" up to tactical group level, using all the assets of the brigade (armored and line cavalry, heavy infantry, artillery, engineers) in order to exercise up to at minimum levels the interaction between the different operational functions and "training" the technical-tactical procedures of the various components combat, combat support, combat service support and arrangements enablers in competition (EW, IMINT, AVES).
The exercise was conducted with extreme realism and saw the Task Force of the 32rd regiment carts and of the 5 ° regiment Lancers respectively plan and conduct an offensive tactical activity following the forcing of a natural obstacle, seeking contact with the opposing mechanized units consolidated in defense, in order to attack them to degrade and neutralize their operational capabilities and reconnaissance activities to protect the effort principal.
The "Temper of Steel" exercise was a training opportunity of absolute importance which gave the brigade command and the departments of the large armored combat unit of the armed force the possibility of consolidating and improving the ability to operate and conduct military operations as multinational brigade HQ need forward land forces.
The activity was attended by the commander of the "Ariete" brigade, Brigadier General Domenico Leotta and also the commander of the 7th French armored brigade, Gen.B. Philippe L. Le Carff.
