MW SULC – learning how to GO into NO GO

Conducting military activities in mountainous regions demands special abilities, physical endurance, and good planning skills. Our Mountain Warfare Small Units Leader Course (MW SULC) is providing participants with critical tools to navigate this challenging and constantly evolving environment.

From 11 to 22 November 2024, the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence in cooperation with the Polish Military University of Land Forces, are conducting an iteration of the MW SULC with 27 small unit leaders from 9 different NATO countries (BEL, CAN, CZE, DEU, GBR, HUN, POL, SVN & USA) in the Karkonosze Mountains of Poland, where the students are engaged in a combination of practical training, such as vertical movement, winter survival & casualty rescue techniques, and theoretical lessons on combat tactics, logistic aspects, communication particularities & fires planning. This way, the leaders and commanders learn how to adapt to steep terrain, harsh weather, and limited infrastructure, focusing on teamwork and innovation.

Despite having different levels of proficiency, from entry level to mountain guides, the students were able to touch different fields which are not part of their typical training, making this a really worthy session. The multi-national environment and their different branches ensures a high increase of interoperability of NATO forces at small tactical level, which is very difficult to achieve otherwise.

With mountain regions becoming key strategic areas in global conflicts, such training ensures our military forces are prepared for the unique demands of Mountain Warfare operations.