The army command announced that on "September 11, 2023, the Pegasus Cedar exercise was launched at the command of the airborne regiment in the Dani Harb barracks – Ghuzar, with the participation of the 16th Airborne Brigade of the British Army and the airborne regiment and air force of the Lebanese Army. This exercise will last for 10 days, simulating operations to raid and destroy terrorist cells entrenched in rugged mountainous areas, as well as airborne operations, special training missions, and precision firing and sniping exercises. The aim of the exercise is to enhance the capabilities of the air and special forces of the Lebanese Army and deepen cooperation and coordination between it and the British Army."
The British Embassy also announced in a statement that "more than 65 personnel from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) of the British Army will conduct a joint military exercise called 'Pegasus Cedar' with their counterparts from the Lebanese Airborne Regiment, supported by the Lebanese Air Force." The statement indicated that "starting today and for ten days, the 'Pegasus Cedar' exercise will be the first of its kind and a significant example of military cooperation between the United Kingdom and Lebanon in recent memory."
British and Lebanese forces will practice tactical skills, including weapon handling, long-range shooting, reconnaissance, and close-quarters battle. The parachute regiment will also train with the Lebanese Air Force on airborne firing and techniques for helicopter insertion and extraction. The exercise will culminate in two field training exercises aimed at testing and enhancing the capabilities of the two nations' forces in a challenging environment.
British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, stated: "The 'Pegasus Cedar' exercise is a historic moment in our strong and enduring partnership with the Lebanese Army. This is the first time in recent memory that British forces have participated in joint exercises with their Lebanese counterparts on Lebanese soil." He added: "British military training teams continue to work alongside all branches of the Lebanese Army – ground, naval, air forces, and special forces – to support them in their core missions. The UK takes pride in being a key partner of the Lebanese Army, providing equipment, training, support, and infrastructure. The Lebanese Army has been at the forefront of maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon during many challenging times, including the current economic crisis. We stand alongside our Lebanese friends as they carry out these vital missions. The 'Pegasus Cedar' exercise will strengthen this strong partnership and the deep relations between our two countries."
British Military Attaché Colonel Lee Saunders said: "I am proud to see soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment exchanging skills and experiences with the Lebanese Airborne Regiment and Air Force in this first joint military training. The title of the exercise honors the immortal Cedar tree of Lebanon, while Pegasus is the emblem of the Air Assault Brigade of the British Army, depicting a winged white horse from Greek mythology."
The commander of the British Air Assault Brigade stated: "The 'Pegasus Cedar' exercise is a fantastic opportunity for our soldiers to train with their counterparts in the Lebanese Airborne Regiment and learn from them. Although this isn't our first time in Lebanon, it is the first time we are training on this scale alongside the Airborne Regiment. There is a close relationship between the two regiments, and this exercise is the result of many years of partnership, providing significant training opportunities for both countries."
The embassy, in its statement, clarified that "the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment is a formation within the Parachute Regiment and a unit within the 16th Air Assault Brigade of the British Army, based in Colchester, England. It is a highly ready brigade capable of rapid global deployment within a wide range of missions, from evacuations to combat operations." It noted that "Pegasus is the emblem of the 16th Air Assault Brigade of the British Army, depicting a winged white horse from Greek mythology, ridden by Bellerophon. The title of the exercise honors the immortal Cedar of Lebanon, which is its emblem and a symbol of its flag, and it also appears on the emblem of the Lebanese Armed Forces."
