Large-scale army exercise: 600 soldiers and 24 helicopters will be deployed in the Channel

A military exercise aerial of scale is organized from May 20, 2026 in the triangle Guer, Le Mans and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

This is the first time 600 soldiers, 20 vehicles and drones, as well as 24 attack helicopters and maneuver. The entire device will have as its base camp the Auvours military camp (2nd Marine Infantry Regiment). This operational evaluation exercise of combat helicopter regiments in a high-intensity combined arms framework is carried out for the benefit of the 3rd combat helicopter regiment

Several areas of action

On May 20, a reconnaissance of the entire exercise area must be carried out.

On May 21, an area established between Valognes, southern limit at Villedieu les Po̻les РNoue de Sienne will be flown over in a slot between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On the 22nd, there will be movement planned around Lessay (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

On May 25, this will happen in an area between Lessay, Bricquebec-en-Cotentin and Mesnil-au-Val (3 p.m. -7 p.m.).

The next day, the 26th, the surroundings of Cherbourg aerodrome will be occupied over a three-hour window, between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Exercise munitions will be used in action areas identified as objectives, including outside military terrain. A collection of cases will be carried out in accordance with usual exercise guidelines.

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