Fortune Favours the Prepared

22/2012/2012 REVIEW

FFortuneortune FFavoursavours tthehe PPreparedrepared

1 WARDAK: Contents a Tough Military Test Airborne in Fifteen Minutes! 2 General Pavel’s Freefall 4

Alpha Scramble off RWY 32 6

At the end of November 2012, National Fortune Favours the Prepared 12 Memorial on Vítkov Hill, Prague, was the venue A good team makes the difference 15 to a ceremony marking the end of operational DIRTY BOMB: tour of the Czech Armed Forces 4th rotation Consequence Management 18 the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team The fi rst Czech AWACS AC 20 Dear Colleagues, Soldiers and Airmen, following their return from Operation ISAF. In the role of an emergency I regard it a natural obligation for me to thank you very much for your Fifty-four soldiers of the 72nd Mechanised fi re brigade 22 cooperation in our joint endeavour, whose goal has been – and I am confi dent that it will continue to be – to strengthen stability of the Armed Forces and Battalion served a seven-month tour in Wardak, A Sharp-Eyed Hawk 26 Afghanistan. Their primary mission was to train develop its capabilities. Th e Armed Forces and other Czech security services are Aerial targets 29 the key guarantee for defending the Czech Republic’s interests and for deliver- the Afghani National Army personnel and ing on our obligations in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Lynx claws instead I trust you have understood the reasons that led me – aft er not receiving provide cover for them in combined operations. of bear 32 suffi cient confi dence of voters – to decide to resign from the offi ce of defence minister. I would like to assure you I am doing so with full recognition of the ”The unit has accomplished their assignment to excellent standards in explosive devices. Given the very fact that we were deployed along the main Get the MEDEVAC ready! 40 responsibility including for the outcome of our joint work. Th e Prime Mi- what was one of the most diffi cult missions the Czech Armed Forces service- road connecting Kandahar and Kabul, this type of incidents was the most nister assured me the Cabinet and he personally will take every measure for members have operated in so far. Wardak – that is not just a name of a prov- frequent one. Second in terms of occurrence rate was direct fi re at our patrols When pontoons connect the banks 40 everything we have achieved through our joint work to be further developed. ince, but also a synonym for a tough military test,“ Minister Vondra said in and our posts," Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Botík said. We have defi ned our goals in the White Paper on Defence, which the Cabi- his remarks addressing the deployment. He also underscored that the deploy- Along with their Afghan and US colleagues, the 4th OMLT deployment RENEGADE net endorsed. Despite necessary savings in defence appropriations, it is vital to ment always treated their Afghan counterparts as equal partners, and soon took part in two hundred combat operations and got face to face with in- Assistance in Distress 44 strengthen the certainty in our society that the Armed Forces are ready in all won their esteem and respect. In addition, the Czech deployment was highly surgents nearly a hundred times. One of the primary assignments were also aspects to defend security interests of the Czech state and Czech citizens. instrumental in increasing the Afghan National Army’s operational readiness search operations, in which Czechs discovered a high quantity of weapons, CLEARED HOT! 46 Responsible politicians accept their assignments responsibly, and, in case and self-reliance. munitions and explosives. In one of the operations, they discovered a lab they fi nd out the support of their electorate has diminished, they leave their He Survived His Death 50 ”The military needs soldiers just like you are: tough, ready for action, per- producing homemade explosives in a local village. The warfi ghters seized positions responsibly as well. Th at is a natural process that characterises de- fectly prepared. I would like to commend you for everything you did for the roughly 300 kilograms of explosives, which then showed in improved se- Aerial fi ght: blues vs. reds 52 mocracy. Th e Cabinet I was a member of lasts and will last with its programs state of Afghanistan and for the good reputation of our Armed Forces and the curity situation. “It is fair to say that for about three or four days, until they and full responsibility for their performance. So, there is no reason to yield to Czech Republic at large. Soldiers from Přáslavice, and not only them, again recovered, the area was relatively calm and no one dared to plant a roadside He knew how to fi ght uncertainty. Not only the Government, not me as a minister, but you in par- showed they are the masters of their profession,“ the Defence Minister em- IED,“ LTC Botík commented. with life’s hardships 56 ticular have made it possible through a joint eff ort to pave the way for launch- phasised and thanked Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Botík, who has been ”the One of the strongest moments LTC Botík experienced was a suicidal at- ing all the remedial and reinvigorating processes whose completion will attain right man in the right place“ according to the Minister, for a masterful sure- tack that destroyed part of the camp in Saydabad. ”I still had had one of my With dozen of stars over head 58 the goals we have defi ned. ness he displayed leading his men. soldiers down there. It took about half an hour before I was able to talk to Th ere are mutliple achievements we may boast. We promulgated the White Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Petr Pavel him and those thirty minutes were probably the longest in my life,“ LTC A rerun with two premieres 61 Paper on Defence, and authorised a binding security policy document, the De- said the unit showed a high professional readiness and the ability to deliver Botík admitted. But he also experienced extremely pleasant surprises: ”On fence Strategy. We have created a new acquisition system expelling redundant on assignments across the mission spectrum with the Allies, but also a very the ninth of October in the evening, my lads banged heavily on my B-Hut; His country turned its back on him 64 go-betweens and refl ecting the whole life cycle of acquired equipment. We have sensitive approach to the local soldiers. The 7th Mechanised Brigade, the I opened the door in horror for I did not know what was going on. I saw them strengthened our ties to our NATO Allies through signifi cant achievements in superior echelon to the 72nd Mechanised Battalion Přáslavice, is defi nitely standing there with a cake ready to congratulate on me on my birthday,“ he performance of missions on deployed operations. We have also prepared legis- not some sort of a B-Brigade – contrarily. “The number of combat contact said smiling. lation that will make service career management more transparent and ensure badges awarded attests to the fact that your tour, if not the most active and All service personnel of the 4th Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team stability of the remuneration scheme, and, importantly, we have attained sta- riskiest, defi nitely ranked among such. I should say with full responsibility were decorated with a Foreign Deployment Medal – Combat Operation bility of the defence budget by a Governmental decision for the years to come. Published by MoD CR that your unit combines the best of what we have in our military, and I would Abroad 1st, 2nd and 3rd class; three soldiers including the commanding of- Communication and Promotion Department Changes in the force structure, same as rationalising the overhead structures very much wish that majority of personnel serving in the Czech Armed Forc- fi cer were decorated with the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of Tychonova 1, 160 01 Praha 6, Czech Republic of the MoD, will inevitable involve reduction of those components that have es would be like you,“ General Petr Pavel said at the end of his remarks on the Czech Republic 3rd class. Combat contact badges, Honorary Medals of www.army.cz turned out to be ineff ective. a more personal note. the Czech Armed Forces 3rd Class and coins of the Chief of General Staff Identifi cation number: 60162694 Development of a new and more eff ective concept of the active reserve com- During their tour in the East of Afghanistan, soldiers comprising the Czech Armed Forces were bestowed as well. Address: Rooseveltova 23, 161 05 Praha 6, Czech Republic ponent will support improvement of some of the capabilities our Armed Forces so-called omelette recorded nearly seven hundred security incidents. “All Phone: +420 973 215 553, +420 973 215 786 have. At the same time, it will help overcome temporary eff ects of the budg- those incidents have one common denominator in Afghanistan: improvised by Olga Haladová Editor-in-chief: Jan Procházka, e-mail: [email protected] etary restrictions that have been necessary so far and will approximate the Layout: Andrea Bělohlávková all-volunteer armed forces to the civilian society. A list of everything we have Translation: Jan Jindra Cover photos by 4th OMLT commenced and oft en already achieved through our joint eff ort in pursuit of strengthening our national defence posture would take much more paper. Distributed by MoD CPD, Production Section Rooseveltova 23, 161 05 Praha 6, Czech Republic Bidding farewell with you, let me conclude by thanking you for the trust Oľga Endlová, tel. +420 973 215 563 you honoured me with in my assignment as the minister, and by expressing Editor‘s point of contact Printed by: EUROPRINT, a. s. my belief that your eff ort to attain the objectives will not slack. To our men ISSN 1804-9672 Editor-in-chief and women in uniform on foreign deployments, who bear the brunt of our Registration number: MK ČR E 18227 Jan Procházka commitments to NATO, I would like to wish the very best of luck and a safe Published: December 2012 telephone: +420 973 215 553 return home. mobile: +420 724 033 407 Let me wish you and your families Merry Christmas. e-mail: [email protected]

Graphics designer Yours, Andrea Bělohlávková telephone: +420 973 215 786 e-mail: [email protected] Alexandr Vondra Operations

the extension, NATO Allies agreed that a concept The reality is that the four-month plus effort Blach handed over the key to the commander of must be outlined by 2014 for involvement of the in the Baltic States means a double employment the Czech task force, Colonel Petr Lanči. From Baltic States in the air policing effort. As a mat- for the Čáslav airbase pilots in NATINADS. Saturday 1 September 2012 nine zero zero hours ter of fact, Lithuanian air force does not have any Lieutenant-Colonel Jaroslav Míka, the com- local time till 3 January 2013, they are respon- fi ghters and its inventory only comprises a mini- mander of the 211th Tactical Squadron, is how- sible for providing quick reaction alert cover- mum number of transport airplanes and helicop- ever confi dent that professional readiness of the age in their area of responsibility. In reality, this ters, specifi cally three L-39 Albatros trainers (one members of his unit is at standards high enough means a fi fteen-minute limit for a pair of QRA L-39 was lost in an accident last year, which in- to meet that double challenge. “We have been Gripen fi ghters to take-off for intercept. volved a French Air Force Mirage 2000C), seven forced to restrict the planned fl ight training. The The 2nd Czech Armed Forces deployment transport aircraft (e.g. C-27J Spartan) and eight key will be serviceability of the aircraft,“ he comprises of sixty-four service personnel from Mi-8 helicopters. The Lithuanian Air Force struc- says abruptly, but completely aptly. four military units: the 21st Tactical Airbase ture comprises three airbases, and Shiauliai par- Čáslav, Military Police Command Olomouc, ticularly meets NATO standards. An example of NATO Vyškov Area Medical Centre Vyškov and the MoD Force Development – Operations Divi- Longterm predeployment solidarity sion Prague. The deployment core comprises Friday, August 31, 2012. The Quick Reaction fl ight and ground personnel of the 211th Tactical effort Alert (QRA) hangar at the Shiauliai airbase has Squadron based in Čáslav. Most of the personnel The air transfer into the area of deployment lo- a venue to a muster bringing together two mili- will rotate at the turn of October and November cated over thousand kilometres away commenced tary units: Polish airmen from the 22nd Tactical 2012. The deployment commanding offi cer is on 21 August 2012. The advance team transferred Airbase Malbork and Czech airmen from the 21st the commander of the 21st Air Force Base in from the Čáslav to Shiauliai airbase on a Czech Tactical Airbase Čáslav. Facing them were senior Čáslav, Colonel Petr Lanči. Air Force CASA C-295M transport aircraft. Ad- offi cials of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania headed ditional transfers took place on August 23 and 30, by the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Czech Gripens over the Baltic 2012. A Lithuanian C-27J Spartan transport air- Azubalis and the Minister of National Defence of Reminiscence of the fi rst deployment of the plane was also involved in besides the aircraft op- Lithuania, Rasa Jukneviciene and other diplomat- Armed Forces of the Czech Republic in the Bal- erated at the 24th Air Force Base Transportation ic corps members, senior military offi cials and tic States is as follows: the 1st Czech Armed Kbely. The necessary materiel and equipment, political representatives. The delegation of the Forces deployment for the Baltic Air Policing including twelve ISO containers, back-up power Czech Ministry of Defence was headed by De- provided coverage to the airspace and territorial generator and airplane tug, were transferred in fence Minister Alexandr and comprised Senators waters of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia a ground convoy provided by the 14th Logistic of the Czech Parliament, members of the MoD and Lithuania – in the framework of the NATO Support Brigade headquartered in Pardubice from Defence Policy and Strategy Division, National Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) August 20-25, 2012. Armaments Directorate and the Joint Operations from 1 May till 31 August 2009. A seventy-fi ve On the last but one day of August, four Centre. ”The Czech Republic’s involvement strong deployment of Czech Armed Forces serv- JAS-39C multirole supersonic fi ghters made in the Baltic Air Policing effort is very positive ice personnel from fi ve military units, with the a transfer fl ight. It did not take them more than from my perspective. It is both an expression of core formed by fl ight and ground personnel of AAIRBORNEIRBORNE sixty minutes to get there from their home sta- NATO’s solidarity and indivisibility of NATO’s the Čáslav-based 211th Tactical Squadron, per- tion. Ahead of the departure of the Czech security, but the Czech fi ghter pilots are also formed their assignment from the station at the iinn fi fteenfteen minutes!minutes! Armed Forces 2nd deployment for the Baltic Air able to improve their professional readiness in Shiauliai airbase, Lithuania. A Czech Armed Forces deployment has been providing security to the airspace of the Baltic States. Assigned to the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS), quick reaction alert fi ghters in turns take off the runway of the Shiauliai airbase, Lithuania: fi rst a couple of Polish MiG-29s, followed by two Czech JAS-39 Gripen fi ghters. A couple of minutes later, already

forming a neat box, they fl y over the heads of VIP guests in The contingent also operated in Karmelava at a ceremony handing over the operational assignment in the Kaunas, Lithuania, where two Czech specialists served a tour at the local Control and Reporting Baltic Air Policing mission. Centre (CRC). To perform the operational assignment, the Czech Armed Forces contingent As new seven nations joined NATO in 2004, Republic has already fi lled one rotation in the had four JAS-39 Gripen multirole supersonic an interim solution was endorsed to provide air mission with its JAS-39C Gripen fi ghters in aircraft. Over a four-month mission the Czech policing in countries not possessing relevant ca- 2009. Thus, various aircraft operated by NATO Air Force Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) pilots pabilities to provide for it. NATO nations pres- nations’ air forces provided security to the area logged the total of 404 fl ight hours in 336 sor- ently provide air policing as a longterm mul- of interest. In addition to the mentioned F-16s Air Force Base (September through Decem- Policing mission, Deputy Director of the MoD real-world situations,“ Minister Vondra said and ties, of which were eight alpha scramble fl ights tinational endeavour benefi ting Slovenia and from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, the Nether- ber 2012) will hand over to a contingent from Joint Operations Centre Brigadier-General Ja- highlighted the high credit the Czech military to commercial as well as military airplanes in Albania, plus Iceland and the Baltic States on lands, United States, Turkey and Portugal, also Denmark, followed by France, Belgium and the roslav Kankia came to make farewell with the professionals enjoy in the Baltic States. ”Three their area of responsibility, which had not been rotational basis. Policing the airspace over the the German Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom and Eu- United States of America. Filling the rotations deployment. “Three years from the fi rst deploy- years ago, they accomplished their mission here complying with civilian air traffi c management territory and territorial waters of the three Baltic rofi ghter Typhoon, French Mirage 2000C, Ro- down the road will be subject of the global force ment of the Czech contingent in the Baltic States to excellent standards and I am completely con- rules. The commanding offi cer of the fi rst Czech States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – began manian MiG-21, Polish MiG-29 and U.S. Air generation conference scheduled to take place in is what we regard an optimal rotation cycle,“ he fi dent that will be the case this time as well,“ the Armed Forces contingent in the Baltic Air Po- in March 2004 and has so far seen the involve- Force F-15C Eagle. November 2012. stated and specifi ed the predeployment prep- Czech Defence Minister underscored. licing was the commander of the 211th Tactical ment of fourteen nations that fi lled thirty-one ro- The Baltic Air Policing mission has already Importantly, the mandate for Baltic Air Polic- ping was a longterm effort and was informed to The ceremony included a handover of a wood- Squadron, Major Jaroslav Míka. tations in total. Belgian Air Force with F-16AM slated rotations till the end of 2014. The fi ghting has been endorsed till 2018 with possibility maximum extent by the lessons the fi rst Czech en key unlocking the airspace of the three Baltic Fighting Falcons had the fi rst go. The Czech ers of the 211th Tactical Squadron from Čáslav for another extension. But along with mandating Armed Forces deployment learnt in 2009. States. Polish leader Lieutenant-Colonel Leszek by Pavel Lang 2 3 rubrika GGeneraleneral PPavel’savel’s FFreefallreefall

Although lasting just a couple of minutes, the freefall by the Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Petr Pavel became a spectacle for onlookers to remember quite some time down the road. There was no need to talk him into it; he pulled on a special overall, put on the glasses and helmet and entered the fl ight chamber with 4.3 diameter in the Skydive arena at Prague Let- ňany. In the vertical glassed tunnel, air fl ows at the speed from 160 to 280 km/h, providing identical conditions as when you jump out of an airplane. Flying in the wind tunnel, his conduct improved continuously and in the third attempt he already earned words of praise from the experienced instructor for a professional control of his body in the airfl ow. “I have not made a free-fall dive for fi fteen years, last time when I was in command of the Special Forces Brigade in Prostějov. It was awesome in the simulator. While we seek to have a safe and effective training at affordable cost, this is defi nitely the right path to pursue,“ General Pavel said shortly after landing.

by Pavel Lang Photos by Jan Kouba

4 5 rubrika

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6 7 Operations

The Czech Task Force providing air policing coverage to the container shelters. It is not optimal but it has no of the operational assignment. ”We selected six effect whatsoever on the performance of our op- Gripens for the Baltic Air Policing mission, of airspace of the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and erational assignment,“ says the Commander of which four are permanently stationed at the Shi- Estonia – have clearly demonstrated that the mandate given the Čáslav airbase and the commanding offi cer auliai airbase. Preparing them, particularly for of the Czech Armed Forces Task Force, Colonel winter operation, actually took twelve months. by Czech authorities has been justifi ed and adequately sourced Petr Lanči, and shows new aircraft shelters. Why so long? Namely for the need to remove in terms of operational capability, as attested by alpha scrambles ”Contrarily to provisional shelters on the dozens of assembly units from each aircraft to apron, the QRA aircraft are now housed in four receive a special anti-corrosive coat. That is intercepting targets in their area of responsibility. new hangars, which undoubtedly provide much necessary because of different deicing agents better comfort for maintenance and facilities for applied onto paved surfaces in Lithuania than ground specialists,“ COL Lanči concludes. those normally approved for Gripens. After as- Nearly a year’s preparation of the sixty-four specifi c for this mission that alternate airports Potential onlookers could ask a rational sembling those units back, a demanding testing strong Czech Armed Forces Task Force for the for Gripens to land are civilian runways at Vil- question: whether the hangars do not hamper phase began, at the end of which you have to be Baltic Air Policing, whose core comprises of nius, Kaunas, Riga and Tallinn. a quick dispatch, especially in alpha scrambles. one hundred per cent sure that everything works the 211th Tactical Squadron fl ight and ground As a matter of fact, Lithuania, Latvia and ”Aircraft are not tugged out of the hangar. The the way it should. I would compare our unique specialist personnel, has now come to fruition. Estonia have also been included into the NATO front and rear door get lifted and engines are effort to foaming the hollows on a car. It was From September on, fi ghter pilots from Čáslav Security Investment Programme (NSIP) and are started inside the hangar. Following manda- a very demanding operation that however suits airbase stationed at the main operating base of entitled to use the program funding to develop tory procedures, pilots roll for the runway. It the purpose. Lithuanian Air Force at the Shiauliai airport infrastructure at their airbases. Shiauliai airbase is no complication,“ COL Lanči comments. The aircraft hold and the number of malfunc- have been repeatedly called upon to perform in Lithuania, the station for the Quick Reaction Day-to-day life of his subordinates is centered tions is not higher than usual. We have been sat- missions under the deployment’s primary op- Alert (QRA) fi ghters, was the fi rst one to re- on a continuous performance of their opera- isfi ed so far with serviceability of Gripens in the erational assignment in the NATO Integrated Air ceive the NATO funding. According to deputy tional assignment. Every day, shifts take turn Baltic environment,“ deputy commander of the Defence System (NATINADS). commanding offi cer of the Czech Armed Forces at half past eight and then they serve a twenty- 211th Tactical Squadron for ground support Ma- In nine alpha scrambles of QRA Gripen fi ght- Task Force Baltic Air Policing, Lieutenant- hour readiness standby duty. The shift com- jor Radomír Holuša says and goes on to describe ers so far, they have proven their high profes- Colonel David Schreier, the development of prises two pilots, two Gripens and one reserve the way the Czech technical personnel is pre- sionalism and accomplished intercepts success- Ämari airfi eld in Estonia has been nearly com- fi ghter and other members of the shift. Those pared to troubleshoot the aircraft. ”Lithuanians fully. On order by the Combined Air Operations pleted too. ”Only the lack of qualifi ed person- who are not on RS 15 standby are on an RS provide general aviation technical support. All Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, a pair of nel prevents the airfi eld to provide full host 60 alert. Those who are on RS 60 standby are the rest in relation to operating JAS-39C aircraft JAS-39C multirole supersonic fi ghters took off nation services. Once development of essential taking a rest before the next duty shift. At the is our responsibility. That is why we brought within the mandatory limit of fi fteen minutes infrastructure is fi nalised at Lielvarde, it will same time, NATINADS is not the only mission over here several sets of tools and special appli- and performed the required visual identifi ca- become the alternate airport for QRA fi ghters in they have – they are also to actively contrib- ances. In reality, it comprises over two thousand tion of the target. This time, it was a Russian Air the Baltic region,“ says the second-in-command ute to training combat radar controllers at the items. We have with us a range of components Force Antonov An-26 transport aircraft heading of the Czech Task Force. It should also be noted Controlling and Reporting Centre (CRC) in and units we know from practice may be liable for Kaliningrad with passengers onboard, which that JAS-39C Gripen pilots were issued special Karmelava, Lithuania, and participate in NATO to malfunction. did not observe mandatory fl ight procedures, in- equipment for fl ight over sea – a special rubber air exercises taking place in the region such as We are able to perform the most demand- cluding planned route. ing maintenance operations here. In case there There are no major specifi cities in the Czech QRA pilots’ fl ight effort. They perform identical activities as at their home station in the Czech Republic. NATO QRA interception procedures and mandatory time limits apply equally both at Čáslav and Shiauliai airbase. The area of deployment is not the decisive factor for the task force. Provided with relevant specialist ground and logistic support and logistic, it really does not matter what runway on the globe they operate from. Some nitpickers however do not fi nd it completely identical. It is correct to say the differences would only involve minor professional details. For instance, the area of responsibility in the Baltic region is about three times larger than the domestic one; it does not border on NATO nations, but on the Russian Federation and Byelorussia and the Kingdom of Sweden and Finland over the Baltic Sea, i.e. nations that are Partners in the Partnership for Peace programme. QRA pilots always must be constantly aware of the proximity of air borders on Byelorus- sia and the Russian Federation. No way could emergency suit protecting them against water the Baltic Region Training Event (BRTE) exer- is a dramatic malfunction, the aircraft makes they operate closer than eight nautical miles or and cold should they need to eject or emergency cise held in October. a transfer fl ight back to Čáslav. The required roughly fi fteen kilometres from their interna- land on the sea. The wet suit is mandatory for This begs the question what the personnel number of NATINADS QRA fi ghters would be tional borders. Additional ”tiny” differences refl ights over water, as the sea temperature is be- do in their free time. “Well there is not much of deployments Afghanistan for instance. We have have similar ambitions. They would defi nitely immediately replenished with another machine late to the operational assignment of the Czech low twelve degrees Celsius. a free time,“ LTC Schreier says and offers some clear rules to follow and we strictly observe welcome a rotational system for QRA capability from the assigned minifl eet of Gripen fi ghters.“ contingent – action is only authorised against well-proven methods to counter claustrophobic them.“ deployment stationing,“ COL Lanči adds. Interview with MAJ Holuša is interrupted by military targets and they are not mandated to use Duty, Rest, Standby, Duty feelings. ”The best way to relax is sporting. All The Czechs enjoy a good reputation with the a roar produced by engines of JAS-39 fi ghters. weapon systems against commercial airplanes. As opposed to previous years, the host nation of us knew beforehand what we would be up general public. ”Political leaders and the citizens A stroke prior to take-off A pair of QRA Gripens start rolling towards the In case it is necessary to provide assistance to support involves some novelties for the CzAF to, and could prepare for that according to their of the three Baltic States evaluate our efforts Air policing in the area of responsibility runway to perform a training fl ight referred to commercial airliners in distress or for loss of Task Force BAP 2012. ”The QRA building nature. Baltic Air Policing is a standard foreign positively. Lithuanians have made it clear to us is not just a matter for the seven QRA pilots. as tango scramble. Before leaving the apron, communication, they are authorised to do so, but has been refurbished for quite some time, and deployment. We use the same standard operat- that it has been an honour for them to host the Ground specialists and maintainers also con- the aircraft receives a stroke by the ground spe- they may not interfere its fl ight safety. It is also so we have been stationed in several blocks of ing procedures as the Czech Armed Forces NATO task forces for BAP. Latvia and Estonia tribute their specifi c input to the performance cialists. ”It is the right of ground specialists to 8 9 Operations

Only those involved know whether there were a short period of time. We were even incredibly any Su27 fi ghter fl ying along with Russian An- lucky to witness their activity following an al- 26 aircraft or some surveillance Tupolev aircraft pha scramble alarm. or not. The siren blared and both pilots pulled on the ”We transmit the acquired data up the chain wet suit. Since now, anything they are doing is for relevant authorities to evaluate them. In the much more diffi cult. They are quick to get their process of identifi cation, we primarily watch for boots on as fi rst beads of sweat start on their details on the target, such as tail number, regis- foreheads. Then the G-suits follow. Time? Four tration, antennas or surveillance systems,“ Ma- minutes are over. They grab their helmets and a target in the area of responsibility. ”I have jor Pelda and says the JAS-39 Gripen multirole run toward a vehicle to take them over a couple served NATINADS QRA duties since Decem- fi ghter has sophisticated systems able to detect hundred metres to their machines. Additional ber last year. I have not had any alpha back foreign fi ghters in the area of responsibility. two minutes have passed. Activities pilots do in home and here I already had two,“ says the pi- Although some may be in doubt, the response the cockpit cannot be followed from a close dis- lot with a log of two hundred and fi fty fl ight by superior bodies in the NATINADS, this time tance for reasons easy to understand. 1LT Ste- hours on the Gripen and admits he regards this to intercept a military An-26, was completely jskal, who was dash two in that alpha scramble double alpha from the Baltic a very important relevant. No one can tell how the operations in with First-Lieutenant Pavel Štrůbl, describes the milestone in his career. ”In both cases, I was the air may escalate. Although it would just be sequence afterwards as follows: ”I initialise the number two or wingman if you will. We shook monitoring, each alpha scramble intercept is systems and start the engine. There can be no hands with the leader afterwards that was it. a combat sortie. mistake in the sequence of procedures, because Admittedly, it is a pleasant feeling to have ac- left (32L). Eleven minutes from the alarm, they minutes. When we transmitted the required otherwise I would need to go from the begin- complished all the requirements by our supe- lift off the runway and head northeast. The CRC data to the CRC and they were sure the An-26 Differing mandate ning. Simultaneously, I am buckling myself up rior echelon. We have demonstrated the QRA keeps briefi ng them on the target and orders to posed no threat in the airspace, they ordered Intercepting military aircraft in the Baltic re- in the seat. I report to the ops center and receive system’s operational readiness,“ 1LT Málek fl y at maximum subsonic speed. ”We were at the us back to the station,“ 1LT Málek says and gion, that is a different story than assisting com- initial data. Then the mandatory process accord- replies and recalls his second alpha scramble. airplane in ten minutes. It was a Russian An-26 adds that piloting during the intercept is not mercial airliners in distress back home. ”Who ing to code table takes place. The leader and the make a farewell with their machines; it is a rit- ”I was on duty with Major Martin Pelda. They Curl. easy. ”An-26 Curl airplanes, which have been would not wish to encounter a Sukhoi up there. wingman do a radio check for mutual connectiv- ual for a good luck, confi rming they have put whistled the scramble for us in the evening. It We caught the An-26 above the sea on the the target of four alpha scrambles so far, fl y There is this kind of likelihood. The higher the ity and tune to the channel of the tower. We say their heart into it and wishing a safe return. The went real fast. What was in instantly on my Estonian-Latvian border. The leader approached at about three hundred kilometres per hour. adrenalin, when you go for an alpha. Such ex- we are rolling out of QRA and going for the run- fi nal slap on the machine is an unwritten rule mind was adrenalin and the sense of fi fteen- the target without attracting attention and start- That is not that easy for me. I have a max dry perience would defi nitely be worth it. All pilots way. We take off in a fi ve-second interval and for all ground personnel to do,“ MAJ Holuša minute time limit.“ ed performing its identifi cation. I was in posi- thrust on the Gripen and the machine is quite have their dreams, and I think this is exactly that Lithuanian controllers guide us afterwards. We explains. A vehicle approaches the two QRA JAS- tion enabling me to step in anytime to cover stretched. kind of dream,“ says First-Lieutenant Robert have a separation up to two nautical miles and 39C Gripen fi ghters. Pilots are quick to jump the leader. He made the necessary photos and Moreover, I controlled the machine with one Stejskal who has served as a NATINADS QRA CRC Karmelava clears the airspace ahead of us. Two Alphas out and run for the airplanes. They get quickly I took some footage on my camera. We followed hand and videoed the target with the other. That pilot for three and a half years and logged close Pilots of the 211th Tactical Squadron based at The fi fth and twenty-second day of Septem- seated in cockpits and start performing manda- the instructions from the CRC. We had neither is the way we do it with the Curls, but it would to fi ve hundred fl ight hours with JAS-39. Čáslav proved their very high standards of pro- ber 2012 were defi nitely days for First-Lieuten- tory procedures in steps. Checking the aircraft visual nor radio communication with the foreign be different with other machines.“ What does Thanks to the forthcoming attitude of the fessionalism in this case as well. ant Vladimír Málek, a pilot of the 211th Tacti- systems takes several minutes. Then the two aircraft. the Czech pilot imply? Perhaps what was the commanding offi cer of the Czech Armed Forc- cal Squadron, to remember. The Combined Air fi ghters start rolling to parallel runways. Leader Identifying the target not observing the word on the street in Shiauliai, when the Poles es Task Force Baltic Air Policing, we have by Pavel Lang Operations Centre scrambled him to intercept on three two right (32R) and dash two three two prescribed fl ight parameters took about ten served the NATINADS tour before the Czechs. a unique opportunity to be with QRA pilots for Photos by Jan Kouba and the 211th Tactical Squadron 10 11 Operations The Czech Armed Forces 4th deployment of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team successfully completed their operational tour in what is one of the most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan – Wardak.

FFortuneortune FFavoursavours tthehe PPreparedrepared

In the Czech Republic, the fi rst day of September has been historically reserved for the beginning Guarding the highway of the school year. This year, school kids could nevertheless stay in their beds in the morning – it of death was Saturday. Captain Martin V. could not. He had spent the previous six months in the Wardak The primary mission of the Czech Armed Forces 4th OMLT was to train, mentor and as- Province, Afghanistan, stationed at combat outpost Sayed Abad. On that fateful day, he got up sist on planning, command and control proc- very early in the morning and set off to a nearby heliport. esses of a battalion-strong Afghan National Army infantry unit, a kandak. The OMLT was to provide for increasing operational capabilities of all units forming the kandak, help them He was the only Czech far and wide. On the calmed down a little and it became obvious that that we fought the US company that had been provide a security environment, freedom of previous day, eleven of his Czech colleagues no further attack would take place anymore, the patrolling off-base hit an improvised explosive movement in their area of responsibility and were airlifted to COP Soltan Kheyl, where the commanding offi cer requested a battle damage device. We got on our feet with my chief of set conditions conducive for performance of Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas would meet assessment and documenting photos. In that staff and started organising medical aid. After operations across the whole spectrum. The Czech service personnel during his very fi rst combat outpost, we had both combat equipment about three minutes we got the information that joint objective of the Czech and Afghan sol- visit to Afghanistan. Captain V. also awaited and materiel and housing premises as well.“ the explosion was caused by a person-borne diers was to eliminate the insurgency network the arrival of a helicopter to take him to COP improvised explosive device at COP Sayed in Sayed Abad district. That involved an area Soltan Kheyl. But a fi erce explosion suddenly PM bringing good luck Abad. It took additional thirty minutes before covering roughly fourteen hundred square kil- occurred. Before he was able to get over that, On that 1st day of September 2012, the we were able to establish communication with ometres a valley at two thousand four hundred another explosion came up, much stronger this Czech Armed Forces 4th deployment the Op- that COP and fi nd out Captain V. had not been meters above sea level with two hundreds of time. A fi erce shockwave knocked him down to- erational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) hurt and was OK,“ commanding offi cer of the communities. gether with other soldiers waiting for the chop- passed one of the toughest tests during its sev- 4th OMLT Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Botik The notorious Highway 1 connecting Ka- per, who were mainly U.S. personnel. en-month tour. First a suicide bomber blasted explains. ”Some materiel we had positioned bul and Kandahar, nicknamed the highway of “We quickly got up and ran for the shelter to himself in front of COP Sayed Abad. Then at COP Sayed Abad was heavily damaged. death, goes through the Sayed Abad district. take fi ring positions. As a matter of fact, we did a truck loaded with explosives detonated. The We initially thought we had also lost four ar- As a local colour, military vehicles in wrecks not know whether that had not been a complex effects were tragic. A marketplace close to the moured vehicles. But our drivers also had also line the road in regular intervals. ”Our assign- attack with the explosions possibly followed by combat outpost was virtually annihilated. Fif- been trained as maintainers; they immediately ment included overseeing some fi fty kilometres showing signifi cant improvement in their mili- Everybody returned safely insurgency assault targeting our base,“ CAPT V. teen Afghans died, dozens of others suffered started to repair the vehicles. They managed of the most dangerous section of HW-1. The tary skills in all aspects. Although the kandak All the teams forming the OMLT operated explains. “We also immediately joined the effort injuries, including a number of Americans. to get the damaged vehicles into serviceable complexity of our assignment is attested by the remained the same throughout their tour of at about two thousand four hundred metres to aid casualties. We tried to do maximum to Czech housing that had accommodated a dozen condition within a week’s time. We were able fact an IED went off practically every day dur- duty, its units changed and its area of opera- above sea level. That naturally showed during stabilise their basic life functions. “Later on, we warfi ghters just a day ago was practically razed to again operate the vehicles in support of our ing our tour in Afghanistan. Sometimes even tions partly too. Some stations were closed movements and claimed some physical prepar- carried them and loaded into incoming helicop- to the ground. missions. In the end, we succeeded to mini- two or three a day,“ Major Martin Hajduch, the down and some newly activated. That involved edness. Typical Afghan weather did not make ters that transported them into a military hospital The explosion was so massive that it could mise the damage. It again proved that no one deployment’s chief of staff, comments. ”But quite extensive movement of materiel and per- life easier for the deployment either. Tem- in Bagram. We also carried Afghan soldiers who be heard as far as at the COP Soltan Kheyl compares to Czech soldiers in such situations – we had a very good cooperation with Afghan sonnel, which was demanding in this type of peratures went high in the summer but it was could not be helped anymore. When everything twenty kilometres away. “It was such a blast there is nothing like the golden Czech hands.“ soldiers. Over those seven months, they were environment.“ getting quite cold at the end of the tour. There 12 13 Operations Interview

assigned kandak, neither the Czech service per- them and they treated us accordingly. The coop- Lieutenant General Ondrej Páleník, Director of the Military Intelligence Service, said goodbye to sonnel nor their Afghan comrades-in-arms suffer eration was truly excellent. Although our kandak any losses or injuries. We were one hundred per also had an incident when one of the Afghans the Ministry of Defence cent successful in this respect,“ the commanding turned his weapon on servicemembers of a U.S. offi cer of the 4th deployment comments. ”I am battalion, under whose command we operated. confi dent a high quality preparation and training But nothing like that happened in our unit; we played the key role in this respect. And a good did not feel any hatred from the side of the Af- luck goes with it as well. It proved that fortune ghans. Everything was OK.“ A good team favours the prepared.“ Captain Martin V. concurs with that assessment. According to him the September 1st Reality not differing from VBIED incident pull them all even more together. They were suddenly much close to each training other. makes the difference LTC Botík knows what he talks about. The ”It was the most challenging combat mission core of the 4th OMLT comprised members of we have had so far. I dare to say it was even the 72nd Mechanised Battalion who already more complex than the last operational tour of The Director of the Military Intelligence Service, Lieutenant being formed and you, then a young lieute- served a tour in Afghanistan three years ago. our Special Forces,“ the Chief of General Staff nant, volunteered. Do you recall your feelings They knew exactly what they were going to be Czech Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Petr General Ondrej Páleník, has recently ended his military career, when you were about to depart? Were there up to. The unit’s commanding offi cer had even Pavel evaluated the performance by the 4th having put in several decades of service. We made use of this any fears or worries about what to expect? fresher experience. Some time ago, he served OMLT. ”The greatest challenge was that the There were a lot of expectations, that’s a fact. a tour at Headquarters ISAF. He was assigned unit was stationed in several combat outposts in occasion to ask him for an interview. Great expectations, as we did not know at all what to a division responsible for supervising train- conjunction with Afghan and US forces in small was waiting for us in international missions. There ing and certifi cation of Afghan National Army teams. The environment the Czech servicemem- You started attending a military secondary diffi culties started forming up in me, which were also concerns whether we would manage our kandaks. He had a chance to work with French, bers operated in was characterised by incidents school at the age of 14. What attracted you has survived throughout my military career. tasks, of course, but I wouldn’t call it fear. Polish and later also a Czech mentoring and taking place on daily basis. When we went down most in the army? What did make you to take training teams and see operational performance there with the Prime Minister, eleven Czech per- such a step? You have spent dozens of years in the army. So concerns only? by individual national units. He was stationed in sonnel had just escaped certain death by a nar- At the age of fourteen I did not know why Have you ever regretted joining the army Yes, concerns whether our capabilities were Kapisa, a province not far away from Kabul. The row margin, which again shows how diffi cult I made the decision. I had never been able to im- when facing diffi cult personal or military up to the task facing us, i.e. taking part in the diffi cult security situation however made it an this tour was. The site they had been stationed agine I would do anything but soldiering. I pur- situations? Gulf War, but naturally also great expectations area hard to access. Later on he moved south to at was virtually blasted by a four-ton explosive sued the goal, I enrolled at the military school, I have never regretted it. Obviously, you – an endeavour and ambitions to compare our- Ghazni to join a Polish contingent and complet- charge. That is why it gives me a great pleas- and then my career was growing with me. experience both pleasant and not so pleasant selves against other armies of the world and ed his tour in Wardak with the Czech OMLT. ure that all of them returned safely back home in moments in the army, just like in everyday show them that Czech soldiers also knew their ”Therefore we knew pretty exactly what to good health. Of course, there must a bit of good Did the military secondary school meet your life. The latter have to be overcome. It has business. ready ourselves for, which is I believe one of the luck to it. At the same time nevertheless, a high expectations? never come to my mind that my decision was causes of our success. The reality on the ground quality preparation is apparently what makes the I was very content there. We had an excel- wrong. Defi nitely not. It was our fi rst major mission. Was your belief in Wardak did not differ much from our train- difference. The fact that you still have a more lent team. It was actually there that a belief in teamwork confi rmed? ing,“ LTC Botík underscores. ”But our good sensitive approach to the locals than other coun- that a team could overcome all problems and In the end of 1990, our NBC unit for the De- Hundred percent. We were lucky to be able cooperation with the kandak was important too. tries’ armed forces plays a role too. That makes sert Shield and Desert Storm operations was to pick our soldiers, still conscripts at that time. During those seven months downrange, we be- our life a bit easier. We have not had a case so came so close with Afghans that we essentially far that some of our trainees would turn their formed a single unit. Not only training teams, weapons on our soldiers,“ General Pavel said in were great differences between night and day but also the staff lived with them day-to-day at the end-of-tour ceremony. temperatures. their bases. We spent with them all of our time. The primary mission of the 4th OMLT de- And that was the key for establishing outstand- ployment and their ANA kandak included search ing relations. They saw we were not avoiding by Vladimír Marek operations, which found sizeable quantities of anything, that we were doing everything like Photos by the 4th OMLT small arms and light weapons, munitions, hand grenades, fi fty calibre machineguns, comms devices and hundreds of kilograms of homemade explosives. Important achievements included detection of a lab producing the explosives and apprehension of persons working there. In combination with the arrest of one of the important local leaders, it helped weaken insurgent activities in the area. In total, Czech servicemembers completed two hundred combat operations and got in contact on nearly half of the operations during their tour in Wardak. They were engaged by small arms fi re practically on daily basis. Sometimes they got under fi re by opposing forces and were in such a trouble that they had to request air or artillery fi re support. Summing all incidents during the seven-month effort, we would be getting close to seven hundred. Wardak ranks among fi ve most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan. After seven months spent operating in such a high-threat environment, Lieutenant-Colonel Botík was nevertheless able to bring all of his fi fty-four soldiers safely back home to the Czech Republic. ”In two hundred combat operations we had with our 14 15 Interview

They were my men, members of the reconnais- stay there was psychically very demanding. The Actually, it was not such a big change for me. The Czech Republic has three intelligence sance unit from Prostějov. The belief in team- hardest moment came when my soldiers were in I see myself as a military manager. Moreover, services. I think the number is not excessive. In work indeed helped us overcome all problems combat contact with the enemy. One could only I had known the environment of the Military In- today’s dynamically developing world you can that we encountered there. listen to the radio to get an idea of what was go- telligence Service, as the 601st Special Forces no longer fi nd the traditional threats we used ing on. I could not help them, I could only be- Group is a part of it. I had not expected I could to be accustomed to. There is terrorism, a ma- Your soldiers nicknamed you Hombre. How did lieve they were capable enough to deal with and have advanced to such a high position so fast, jor phenomenon of our times. There are various it happen? defeat the opponent. Of course, if one is listen- but I had not been too afraid about the task. I ap- forms of extremism, proliferation of weapons It is an ancient story. The opinions how the ing to on-line radio communication, one’s heart proached it as a proper manager. I accepted it of mass destruction, which is really becoming nickname was born differ. I trusted my soldiers gets heavy. I always felt tremendous responsibil- as a challenge and became the Director of the a crucial problem of the modern world. I believe and they trusted me. They felt I treated them as ity for my soldiers. Military Intelligence Service. that each of the three services has its place in comrades. And when I got really pissed at them, the Czech Republic. There are so many tasks I used to tell them: “Hombre, wait till I come Is it more diffi cult to listen to the radio, to hear Your predecessor had been called off rather that we could not handle them even if we deliv- after you and you will see what’s going to hap- what’s going on, or would you rather be with quickly and unable to pass specifi c advice and ered a 120% performance. In my opinion, no big pen!” I think this was how the nickname was them? experience to you. What were your fi rst days changes are needed. We can defi nitely discuss born. However, I said it had been born a long I think being with them would have been easi- like? a second tier or mechanism of input control. time ago and there are many interpretations as er for me, but each of us had his place and job to Of course, it was diffi cult in that the job was No one from the Military Intelligence Service to how I earned it. Nevertheless, I believe my do. As they say, a place on the totem pole. And not handed over to me in a proper fashion. My would oppose that. But I don’t think any major explanation is correct. my job was to lead the unit, to make sure the op- predecessor was no longer there. But I was once restructuring would make sense now. eration was well-planned, logical and meaning- again helped by what I had been benefi tting When you were the commander of the Special ful, to make sure the objective of the mission was from throughout my previous military career – Some time ago, you were criticized for publis- Forces, you were cooperating very closely with fulfi lled and, of course, hope that all of us would good people around me, my closest co-workers. hing information concerning your contribution Daniel Landa. A fairly close relationship gradu- safely return home. Since 2004, we spent three My offi ce assistants, aides, told how to do this or to the capture of Osama bin Laden in your an- ally developed between him and the “Specials” years and nine months in Afghanistan, in the that. I have been lucky in this respect throughout nual report. Looking back, do you think relea- from Prostějov; he even composed your an- most diffi cult conditions. Perhaps no one doubts my military career, and it was the same there. At sing the information was a mistake? them. Do you regard him as a friend? that the Czech Special Forces were operating in the end of the day, the change was not as dra- Yes, it was in the 2010 annual report. I don’t Daniel Landa is defi nitely a great personal- the hottest spots, in the centre of combat opera- matic as it might have looked. think it was a mistake. I believe the Czech pub- ity of the Czech cultural scene and his relations tions, and we are extremely proud of that. We are lic should know that there exists a service which with the 601st Special Forces Group are well particularly proud of the fact that we always man- The historical name of honour borne by the it is paying for. The citizens have the right to known. By the way, he is also a Lance Corpo- aged to bring all the boys back home, alive and in 601st Special Forces Group is “General Mora- know that the service is really working, that it ral in the reserve company of the 601st Special good health. In my opinion, this is nothing short vec”. The outstanding military personality had is working at its full capacity, and showing it is a lot during the fi ve years, thanks particularly to Apart from luck, you need a bulldog’s patience Forces Group. Our relationship was being built of a miracle. When someone asks me how that accomplished an essential reform of our intelli- successful every now and then does not do any my co-workers. The Military Intelligence Serv- and tenacity, reliance on your own abilities and, for years. His lyrics and songs can encourage was possible, my reply is that it was a combina- gence service in the early 1930s and succeeded harm. If I were not a member of the service, ice is in good shape and is an integral and solid of course, a good team. To be able to advance soldiers in diffi cult moments, which they experi- tion of our capabilities, preparations, training, in preparing it for diffi cult tasks that awaited it which I soon will not be, I would like to know, part of the security system of the Czech Repub- so high, one needs the right people around him, ence primarily in missions. This is, I think, most team cohesion, but understandably also a pinch of during the war. How do you perceive General as a citizen of the Czech Republic, what intelli- lic, as well as those of the North Atlantic Alli- support of his co-workers, and patience to ad- important for us. luck. You simply cannot do without luck. Moravec? Is he one of your heroes? gence offi cers are doing for my money, for other ance and the EU. I believe we have a fi rm place vance step by step in one’s career. Of course. When the name of honour was be- taxpayers’ money. I don’t think it was a mistake. in the intelligence community, both in the Czech You have several tough missions under your Five years ago, your life underwent a radical ing selected, we were carefully considering the Of course, there was a big media case, a big Republic and globally. Many of our achieve- Your next job is the director of the Administra- belt. What was most diffi cult about them? Can change. You went from Prostějov to the Minis- Czech military and intelligence personalities bubble infl ated around it. At the end of the day, ments indicate we are handing the service over tion of State Material Reserves, which position you recall any critical moment? try of Defence and became the head of the Mi- the 601st Special Forces Group could be named however, nothing of it was proved to be right. in a good condition, which means I am content. probably requires some economic knowledge. For me, as the commander responsible for all litary Intelligence Service. You were thrown in after. I think we have chosen well. General There was no threat to our citizens. Actually, the Understandably, there are still a few things that Are you not you a bit afraid? the guys who were with me in combat missions the water and forced to start swimming rather Moravec unquestionably is a great person in the threat following the fi rst decision of the Parlia- need to be improved. I think General Kovanda There is something that needs to be added. in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2006, the whole quickly. Was it a big change for you? history of the Czech intelligence service and the ment of the Czech Republic to send the Special is the right man for the job, who will follow our Under the legislation in force, the Administra- 601st Special Forces Group is a part of the intel- Forces to Afghanistan in 2004 had been much footprints and move the service one or multiple tion of State Material Reserves takes care of ligence community. greater. Nothing like that appeared in 2010. steps forward. strategic material reserves to be used in emergencies, natural disasters, but also in the event There were many discussions in the past sug- You are known as a physically fi t soldier, an at- When General Picek’s stint at the General Staff of a war. Which means the organization is very gesting that the Military Intelligence Service hlete. However, you began putting on weight was almost over, there appeared information relevant in the security system of the Czech Re- should be a part of the structure of the Army of relatively soon after you had come to the mi- to the effect that you would succeed him as the public. Naturally, economic issues prevail, but the Czech Republic, just like the Military Police, nistry. Is it because of the nature of your job? new Chief of the General Staff. Did it also get I am not afraid of that. I once again repeat that rather than subordinated to the Ministry of De- Can you at all resist something like that when to you? I see myself as a manager. Of course, I will not fence. What is your opinion? holding a position similar to yours? I would lie if I told you it did not. I would understand all economic matters from the very I believe the opinion, which I basically share, I could perhaps that it is quite diffi cult, with be an incompetent Director of the Military Intel- beginning. On the other hand, I am convinced is quite reasonable. However, my acquaintance the change of the job, many duties and things ligence Service. However, I was saying from the I can handle management decisions even in this and friend, who used to command the British like that. However, I must honestly admit it is very start that my career was following a slight- relatively complex fi eld. Special Forces, says “why change anything that because of a combination of being self-indul- ly different direction. In fact, I have never been works?”. I think this is the essential question. gent, social events and service duties. In my a part of the Army of the Czech Republic. I have Is there any message you would like to convey Should we change something we do not have any case, there were also some health problems never been subordinated to the General Staff, to your former subordinates in the end? problems with only because we believe it does which I had to deal with. So, without making I have never worked there. I think it is quite log- I already said what I wanted to say to soldiers belong under the ministry? I am convinced there lame excuses, I think it can be resisted. ical that someone who has a different relation to of the 601st Special Forces Group and offi c- is no other reason for the change. As a part of the the General Staff has been chosen. ers of the Military Intelligence Service during Military Intelligence Service, the Special Forces In what shape are you handing the Military the leaving ceremony. I wish all soldiers of the have been developing at an unbelievably dynam- Intelligence Service over to your successor? During the several decades of your military ser- Army of the Czech Republic to handle all those ic pace. I daresay they rank among top Special What do you think was your biggest accomplis- vice, you have advanced from the lowest rank restructurings and relocations with patience. Forces units of the world. It seems to me it would hment during the fi ve years at the head of the to the second-highest one. What would you They should not see their service only as a job, be rather unwise to promote the change for the Service? recommend to soldiers who are going to join but also as a mission. And, understandably, sole reason of the Military Intelligence Service I am very pleased that the hand-over of the the army now? What path should they follow, when they are sent to a mission abroad, I will optically not fi tting in the place where it is now. position of the Director of the Military Intelli- how could they contribute to making their own keep my fi ngers crossed so that all of them will gence Service was a ceremonial event attended career a success? return alive and unharmed. Some people believe the Czech Republic has too by the Prime Minister and that it was, all things I do not want to sound like a Dutch uncle. many intelligence services for its size. Do you considered, a cultured process. That’s how it The fact is I was tremendously lucky. I started think the intelligence services still face a major should be. We had enough time for the hand- as a pupil at a military secondary school and by Vladimír Marek and Jan Procházka restructuring? over. I am convinced we have accomplished have ended in the rank of a three-star general. Photos by Marie Křížová 16 17 Training Medical support and CBRN defence personnel of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic exercised mass casualty reception following an attack with radioactive agent DIRTY BOMB: consequence management

The government of the state of Laprep requested the United therefore concentrated our effort on deploying Czech Armed Forces fi eld surgical teams, Nations (UN) to provide relief aid. A coalition force with stock who serve tours in the French military hospital of materiel has been ordered to the area of crisis. However, the in Kabul on rotational basis,“ specifi es Major- General Aleš Opata, Deputy Chief of General convoy has been attacked by the opposing forces not reluctant Staff Czech Armed Forces – Director MoD Joint to use the so-called dirty bomb. The incident results in numerous Operations Centre. Never say never applies in this case as well. A crisis with fatal consequence casualties. Those must be immediately taken to a safe place, but may come anytime indeed. That is the order for deployment during natural disasters, into hu- mainly decontaminated and provided medical treatment. The manitarian missions or stabilisation operations closest NATO camp is about twenty kilometres away. The staff may come anytime. ”We would be able to respond operatively to receive the order to activate the CBRN defence company and the potential requirements,“ General Opata explains. fi eld hospital. Scenario of Exercise Medical Man 2012 gets to the Very much like him, representatives of several foreign armed forces speak highly of the cred- fi nale … ible scenario that exercise Medical Man 2012

The fi nal part of the Exercise Medical Man training an optimal test of professional readiness plays. ”Those are exactly the types of threats later. It is obvious already at the fi rst sight that from contaminated clothes, receive necessary materiel and equipment was transported in as 2012 took place at the turn of May and June of the specialists in training: ”Each exercise of that NATO forces face on day-to-day basis. This a number of individuals suffered very serious treatment and deactivation of the radioactive many as one hundred and ten ISO containers! on the premises of the Hospital Base in Hradec that type helps us maintain the capabilities the is a highly realistic and current exercise sce- injuries ion the incident. That they have been agent. ”We are able to decontaminate twelve “Patient!“ someone cries out loud. A service- Králové, Czech Republic. Together with the Hospital Base has and consequently develop nario. Working together is important for medical contaminated only aggravates the situation. to twenty heavily wounded patients with P1 member with heavy injuries is brought shortly to members of the 31st Chemical, Biologic, Radio- them to the best current standards. and NBC personnel because they get to know Contaminated soldiers are fi rst sorted at the and P2 priorities,“ adds Lieutenant Radim the P1 site. Given the serious injuries, the ver- logical and Nuclear Defence Brigade, the local Although we practise mass casualty recep- each other better. One service is able to see how fi eld hospital’s triage ward according to the Zahradníček, leader of SICRA platoon of the dict could be expected. “Urgently endangered medical doctors and personnel improved their tion several times a year, there is no way for it the other service works in a real situation. Not nature of their injuries. “Those heavily injured 3rd Chemical Defence company, and specifi es patients get to the operating room within fi fteen skills in receiving and treating casualties con- to become a stereotype for us. Every deploy- only we are gaining a better understanding of naturally have the highest priority, so-called the capacity of for the least serious cases: We or twenty minutes maximum,“ LTC Plodr says. taminated by weapons of mass destruction. ment is unique: different location, different our personalities, but indeed we are cultivating P1. In reality, those are patients in critical dan- are able to handle up to thirteen P3 patients at Behind the fi eld hospital corridor, the noise Exercise Medical Man, however, was not de- operational assignment, different task force our interoperability for possible deployments,“ ger to life, whose condition demands urgent a time. We manage to take care of a hundred is heard produced by the helicopter that has just signed to test the current level of skills of the structure. We build the fi eld hospital accord- offi cers in US, German and Hungarian uniforms surgery,“ Lieutenant-Colonel MUDr. Michal and twenty to hundred and fi fty contaminated started to spin. One of the wounded soldiers Czech Armed Forces medical and CBRN person- ingly, tailoring it to the mission. We inform the concur. Plodr, Chief 7th Field Hospital, states and soldiers in sixty minutes.“ Following this spe- needs to be immediately transported to a spe- nel. ”This exercise is also a part of certifi cation hard training with lessons learnt, particularly goes on to say: ”Next levels are P2, with de- cial procedure, they are taken care of by doc- cialised facility of the Military Hospital. The for the NATO Response Force (NRF). In case those from Afghanistan. We train to be ade- True test with realistic ferrable requirement for surgery, and P3 that tors and medical personnel and allocates them W-3A Sokol pilot of the Czech Armed Forces required, assigned Czech Armed Forces person- quately ready for possible foreign operational encompasses lighter injuries.“ Specifi cally, to individual specialists wards in the corridor Air Rescue Service Centre (HEMS), Captain nel may deploy anytime for crisis management deployment,“ COL Österreicher concludes and scenario the fi eld hospital personnel may receive two of the modular fi eld hospital. In a real-world Petr Šafařík, manages to take off within less operations worldwide,“ says the Support Force remembers the Czech fi eld hospital’s last op- Intensifying ambulance wailing indicates P1, fi ve P2 and twelve to twenty P3 patients deployment, the fi eld medical facility would than three minutes. The red-and-white ”Sokol“ Commander, Brigadier-General Ján Gurník. erational deployment in 2008. that the soldiers from assaulted unit are being in one mascal alarm at a time. But let us get comprise a combined system of tent and con- gets airborne and heads for Prague … The commander of the Hospital Base in Hra- ”Presently we have no plans to deploy a full brought into the Hospital Base areal. The exer- back in time a couple of minutes. P1 patients tainer shelters interconnected to form function- dec Králové, Colonel MUDr. Jan Österreicher, fi eld hospital for a foreign operation. Our prior- cise director calls signal Mascal, which is short are progressively loaded on trolleys, undergo al units that may also operate autonomously. whose subordinate units include both the 6th ity is Afghanistan, where brick hospitals have for Mass Casualties. A group of approximately dosimeter check and get transferred to the de- Just as a matter of interest: on withdrawal of by Pavel Lang and 7th Field Hospital, regards such type of fi eld already been built in all key sectors. We have twenty persons arrive a couple of minutes contamination line. Inside, they are extracted the fi eld hospital from Kabul four years ago, all Photos by Jan Kouba 18 19 NATO Interview with Major Milan Vojáček, the fi rst Czech airman to become a NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft commander This news was undoubtedly intriguing for all aviation fans: the Czech Republic has the fi rst captain fl ying the NATO E-3A AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) airplane: he is Major Milan Vojáček, presently a member of the Flying Squadron 1 the Operations Wing at Geilenkirchen airbase, Germany. He achieved the prestigious position of aircraft commander approximately halfway through his fi ve-year That is why the number of 300 is not completely the NATO E-3A Component were allocated to course of action you would take in unexpected contract that will expire telling. In other words, if you successfully ac- Canada. Other nations indicate a high interest situations. complish 300 hours as a pilot, you are not au- in obtaining those positions. They practically You are the fi nal authority to decide how the in August 2014. tomatically qualifi ed to advance. Professional entail a truly unique experience,“ MAJ Vojáček fl ight will be performed. That is your responsi- readiness of individuals for an AC course is de- says and adds that Portugal, for example, has bility no one is going take off from you,“ MAJ cided by squadron commander,“ MAJ Vojáček a similar number of personnel with the Compo- Vojáček argues and also points out the need for explains and says another hard requirement nent like the Czech Republic, but there are about mental resilience: “You are in control of a ma- to become the aircraft commander is for pilots forty Belgians and forty Dutch personnel here. chine worth millions of U.S. dollars and you THE FIRST to have logged at least 2,000 fl ight hours in Both of the Benelux countries have bid ground have a multinational crew of experts with spe- their career (regardless of aircraft type). Major specialists involved in various in supporting op- cialist training behind you. You have to con- Vojáček came to Geilenkirchen with total 1,100 erations on the ground. Be it security of restrict- centrate on your priority task and that is both to hours and had to work very hard to complete the ed access facilities, or logistic support posts, the get safely into the sky and back on the ground.“ necessary nine hundred hours – contrarily to his Geilenkirchen airbase would not be able to de- Flight activities are extensive in Afghanistan at colleagues from other NATO nations! ”There liver all its missions without them. “This NATO the same time. Czech AWACS AC are pilots coming to the airbase who have logged unit is currently not manned one hundred per It is not exceptional for pilots to log over one three to six thousand fl ight hours. For example, cent. The Component needs to have its posts hundred fl ight hours a month. We now newly After an eight-hour mission, the Boeing command of an aircrew with multiple members, the refuelling boom. It is a standard for AWACS Canadians normally log fi ve thousand hours fl y- fi lled, regardless whether fl ight related or not. operate from an Afghani airbase. ”In the area of 707/320 airplane with the typical dish antenna plus it is right on the AWACS. That I am the fi rst aircraft commanders is to keep the refuelling ing C-130s. They already meet the minimum Some would like to see Czech ambitions much interest, we are an executive element controlling on top returns back to Gielenkirchen airbase. Czech in this post naturally delights me. In short, boom within the notional cube two by two me- fl ight hour requirement, and so they can advance higher, but allocated funding is what plays the fl ight activities by military aircraft in support The machine with Luxembourg registration and a chance came up and I grabbed it and have not let tres without disconnecting the airplane from faster into the position of aircraft commander, key role in the decision-making,“ MAJ Vojáček of the operation. It is always a combat mission, tail number 90458 touches down on the concrete go. It is a professional pilot development, which the tanker. Instructors must be able to fl y the or indeed instructor or inspector,“ the Czech Air says sternly but accurately. during which we use procedures practically un- runway and taxies to its designated place exactly you have to help a lot nevertheless, working hard manoeuvre even more precisely, following the Force pilot argues. thinkable in Europe. We fl y visual using the on- as instructed by the tower. Shortly after its Pratt regardless of time.“ edges of the notional cube. In short, you have to Czech language as well as repeated fl ashes Deployment in Afghanistan board systems. We fl y on eyes there, because the & Whitney turbofans went silent, aircraft com- Eight! That is the ideal number of aircraft be able to fl y the limits.“ in the cockpit naturally attract attention of other NATO E-3A Component fl ying squadrons local air traffi c management services, including mander, Major Milan Vojáček, comes out of the commanders in one fl ying squadron at Geilen- The conversation turns to piloting the “seven- members of the multinational AWACS crew. take turns in serving one-month operational radar coverage, are not that high on quality as in NATO airborne early warning and control sys- kirchen. “So far, this has not been the case dur- o-sevener with the dish“. That is a subject Major Asked about their appraisal of cooperation with tours in Afghanistan. Major Vojáček has served the European continent,“ NATO E-3A AWACS tem. The welcome and explaining the reason ing my tour. Personnel turnaround rate is con- Vojáček apparently indulges. He makes it clear Czechs at the airbase, they concur: “Excellent!“ already three operational tours downrange. Two aircraft commander Major Milan Vojáček says for our visit only take seconds. Anything else siderable. Most of the time, you would fi nd three how highly he values his qualifi cations. He times as NE-3A AWACS fi rst pilot, and recently and quite understandably does not want to go would be at the expense of the time available. or for aircraft commanders and two instructors never fails to underscore that achieving career Enjoying high credit he had a premier run as the aircraft commander. into detail. His invitation for us into the cockpit of AWACS available at the squadron. The more extensive goals with this operational NATO unit is always In August last year, the Czech Armed Forces ”I can tell based on my own experience that mis- In response to the mention that the next ca- airplane is irresistible. Attendees of an exclusive fl ight effort they are required to deliver,“ MAJ conditioned on enormous efforts by individuals. contingent at the Main Operating Base Gielen- sions in Afghanistan immensely expand profes- reer notch to climb to is the instructor post, MAJ interview for a Czech defence media take their Vojáček explains and offers his personal stats: But that may differ too. Sending for an aircraft kirchen grew by one hundred per cent: from four sionalism and qualifi cations of fl ight personnel. Vojáček laughs heartily. “You know it would be seats. Aircraft commander naturally gets seated ”I have been with the fl ying squadron for two commander training course may serve as a good to eight military professionals. Out of seven- You can easily tell those who have been de- nice. But it is not easy. Especially timewise, be- in the left seat … years and logged roughly eleven hundred fl ight example. ”There are several criterions. For ex- teen signatories, the Czech Republic has ranked ployed from those who have not. There is a great cause it is mandatory to have completed at least hours with AWACS during that time. Last year ample, one must have completed at least three- among the few nations to have fi lled their as- difference between our operational fl ights in cri- three hundred fl ight hours as aircraft commander Nose up? No way! it was over six hundred.“ It might have implied hundred fl ight hours as the fi rst pilot to advance signed posts in full. In addition, the Czech posts sis areas and training activities we carry out over to qualify as an instructor and then you have to Joining any prestigious club may stagger one for many readers that MAJ Vojáček already can to aircraft commander. My question is: is it are exclusively fl ying related, both as fl ight crew Europe and overseas. When training, you have serve twelve months as an instructor with the profoundly. ”You have to ask my colleagues, do everything with the AWACS aircraft. What a suffi cient quantity of fl ight hours to make this and mission crew members onboard the plane. at the back of your mind that it is still practice, Component. In general terms, what I described whether I became haughty after the aircraft com- is the reality? “Not everything yet. Some ma- professional leap? It is no secret that we spend Personnel posting at Geilenkirchen airbase which you may adjust this or that way based on is a matter spanning two years. My contract will mander course or not. I do not think that is the noeuvres are restricted to instructors only. But much time orbiting in the sky and performing will however see some changes in foreseeable current situation. In a combat operation, you however terminate in two years’ time. Going in case. By the way, you cannot have your nose up I have no doubts I would be able to perform our specifi c role. Our log grows fast, but it is future. First, there will be a reduction in NATO know that everything is real. Your bad decision for it would necessitate being given the offer in the here. Why? Because it rains at Geilenkirchen them already now. But there is a rule here, that not adequately sourced by fl ight experience the structures, and additional changes will take may even have fatal consequences. Of course upcoming months. We’ll see…,“ Major Vojáček. quite often,“ the Czech military pilot smiles. After unless you are appropriately instructed on it at way it is with tactical units, for instance. It is no place in relation with Canada’s withdrawal from you get recommendations from your colleagues, a pause, he goes on to say: ”I take it as a milestone the Training Wing, you simply do not fl y that – exception for us to perform a twelve-hour fl ight the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control but the commander has the fi nal say. Therefore, by Pavel Lang in my aviation career. For the fi rst time, I am in for example in-fl ight refuelling into the limits of with one take-off and one landing altogether. (NAEW&C). ”A number of important posts at you have to have a clear detailed picture of what Photos by Jan Kouba 20 21 Operations

Looking back at two decades of Czech soldiers’ participation “However, the APC with a doctor onboard, among the most diffi cult ones. In the end of win- which had been dispatched to help us, was ter, extensive unrest and riots broke out in the in international missions held up by the Serbs. The battle was still raging region, including the area of operations of the around. After lengthy discussions, the Serbs al- Czech contingent. At that time, Czech soldiers lowed only the doctor to pass, but he had to walk. had to deal with one of the hottest confl icts, in The HQ fi nally decided to evacuate all soldiers, Lipjan. In the evening of March 17, the 2nd not just the casualties. There were many mines company dispatched a combined platoon there scattered all around. One of our drivers managed to assist the Finns. “We were marching against to start an APC which was moving ahead of us; the crowd unassisted, without any APCs, just V rrolioli we were following in its tracks. We realized that marching along our UAZ light off-roads,” Pla- there could be an explosion at any time. It was toon Leader Lieutenant Roman Ondroušek re- an endless hike. However, the rest of us – less called later. And perhaps this was what worked. IInn tthehe rroleole two excellent comrades – managed to get to the As a matter of fact, a rumour to the effect that headquarters,” was how Senior Lieutenant Mi- a special unit would be deployed against them lan Nechvátal described the ordeal. had spread among the Albanian Kosovars. kkrizovýchrizových “They were obviously scared of us. We were SFOR wresting the clubs they were holding from their Our soldiers had to handle one of the fi rst hands and throwing them back into the crowd,” and most serious emergencies of the SFOR mis- Junior Warrant Offi cer Antonín Kropáček, the ooff anan eemergencymergency sion in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the village of Section Leader, told us. However, even the ex- Otoka. In the morning hours of April 19, 1996, recce unit member does not make any secret of hhasičůasičů several Muslim families took advantage of the the fact that our soldiers were in a really tight free passage across the frontier line in this area. spot then. It was dark, hand grenades were ex- Some 300 people had eventually crossed the ploding all around, and shots could be heard. bridge. At about 1100, the Bosnian Muslims In addition, the Albanian Kosovars were us- fi rere brigadebrigade gathered on the main road connecting Otoka and ing downright dirty methods. There were often Novi Grad and attacked a Serbian police station. women and children marching in fi rst ranks of Brandishing Muslim fl ags, they were marching demonstrators. Shooters were hidden among the on toward Novi Grad until they encountered an crowd. People were throwing mostly stones, but equally strong crowd of Serbs. The situation got there was an occasional hand grenade. Moreo- extremely tense. Czech soldiers had to prevent ver, most members of Kropáček’s section were the two crowds from attacking each other. Dur- rookies. However, none of them failed. They ing these critical moments, the Czech unit was could rely on each other in the worst moments. Early next year, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic will in my thigh only when the boys had brought led by Captain Petr Miler. The fi rst intervention The command wanted to make use of the lan- torches,” Warrant Offi cer Roman Čelanský re- occurred at about 1400. Soldiers of the Czech guage and cultural proximity of Czech soldiers, celebrate its twentieth anniversary. During these twenty long called later. battalion had to use live submachine and ma- which was the reason why they were deployed, years, our soldiers have been, inter alia, performing their duties Other soldiers were wounded as well. Ser- chine gun fi re above the heads of the belligerent whenever possible, to be in direct contact both geant Jiří Suda was hit in the back. Sergeant Jiří groups to separate them. The crowd got calmer with rioters and the besieged Serbs, which was and risked their lives in international missions in hot spots of Hubáček suffered leg and arm injuries. When for a while. However, the Czech soldiers had to probably what counted most at the end of the the world, in tough climatic conditions, from the African Congo his colleagues took off his helmet, he found out repeat the procedure about an hour later. They day. he had been born anew; there was a fi st-sized expended about 1,200 rounds. to mountain ranges of Afghanistan. This is exactly why we have hole in it. Luděk Zeman and Petr Valeš suffered At 2100, Czech and Canadian liaison offi cers Enduring Freedom the most serious injuries. The former’s legs managed to arrange a meeting between repre- The day was March 29, 2003, the time just decided to focus on these operations. However, there have been were amputated by the explosion. The extent of sentatives of the Muslims and the Serbs, which a few minutes to 0200. An Iraqi missile struck in so many international missions during the last two decades they the wound practically ruled out any possibility fortunately helped allay the situation. the Sharq Market commercial district of Kuwait of survival. Even if qualifi ed medical help had City. The situation was very serious indeed. would deserve a full-sized book rather than a mere magazine been available, he could hardly have been saved. KFOR Czech and Slovak CBRN specialists immedi- article. We therefore present at least their list and a selection of Petr Valeš lost an arm, and also sustained a seri- Of the many years that Czech soldiers spent ately dispatched two rapid reaction teams to the ous back injury. in Kosovo, the year 2004 unquestionably ranked impact site. The things happening there at 0215 the most dramatic moments that occurred in their course.

UNPROFOR/UNCRO By 2100, the situation had calmed down a bit. On Thursday, August 3, 1995, Tango 23 Ob- All of them believed the worst was over, but servation Post manned by Sergeant Petr Valeš, they kept monitoring the situation. They took Warrant Offi cer Luděk Zeman and other Czech turns every hour at the observation post. Early in soldiers, received an order to step up the obser- the morning on Saturday, August 5, it was Petr vation time. A day later, the highest readiness Valeš’s turn; he called out to Luděk Zeman to condition, Red Alert, was announced. Howev- climb down from the observation post and be er, at that time the Croatian troops had already relieved. Right then several Croats rushed into been launching Operation Storm (or Typhoon, the position held by our soldiers. They probably according to some sources). At noon, an about wanted to hide there. thirty-strong group of Croatian troops accompa- “I and my other two colleagues were sitting nied by a handful of tanks had fought their way right at the entrance of the bunker. We heard to Tango 23. some voices and decided to fi nd out what was “We knew from the radio that other sections going on. However, as soon as we left the bun- of the front had already been overrun and the ker, a mortar shell landed directly atop it. I felt situation there was relatively calm. However, something hitting my thigh. I fi rst thought it was the battle was still in full swing around our just a ricocheted piece of rock. I was trying to perimeter,” recalled Senior Lieutenant Milan get back to the bunker as fast as possible. The Nechvátal, then Deputy Platoon Leader, several explosion cut off power, there was darkness all years later. around us. I found out I had a splinter embedded 22 23 Operations

resembled Coney Island fairgrounds rather than from the darkness around, he continues. “All the way. They took the pupils with them and 85th Brigade was then replaced by the 1st Com- a wadi (a valley or arroyo, a result of erosion “As we were in the hot area and engaged in anything else. The life of the Kuwaitis is prob- clear, there’s nothing here.” The results of the forced them to carry their weapons and supplies. bined Brigade, which was vastly different from of a temporary stream in deserts or semi-desert combat, we could not summon a medevac heli- ably boring and drab at other times. Instead of measurements need to be reported to the analyti- When the pupils were too tired, the armed men its predecessors. Its soldiers were disciplined regions), which was diffi cult to recognize from copter. I was trying to raise the base, we kept seeking a shelter when a missile has fallen on cal team stationed in the base compound. How- raided another school and took another batch,” and most of them spoke English. We were shar- a distance. The Humvees could not negotiate asking for air support, a medevac helicopter their city, they welcome every kind of excite- ever, a heavy weight is lifted off the shoulders described Captain Pavlačka. “People living in ing information and what we agreed upon held the diffi cult terrain that well, and one of them to be dispatched to the base, and a rapid reac- ment and try to push as close as possible to the of our CBRN specialists. No weapons of mass this part of the world still believe that if they eat good. I managed to convince the commander got stuck. “We were trying to pull it out, when tion team to help us,” Senior Lieutenant Luža ground zero. The Czech CBRN specialists feel destruction were used this time. a pygmy, they will acquire his strength, and if that exonerating the name of the national army an incoming RPG fl ew in from our six o’clock, recalled. “However, the radio communication rather odd as they measure toxic substances in they cohabitate with a pygmy woman, they will was in their best interest. He was then drilling exploding some 2 meters from the vehicle. Un- was one-way only. No one confi rmed they had the air amid the throng. However, Senior War- MONUSC be sexually potent. So they were raping en route and watching his subordinates much more than fortunately, right where our boys were. The en- received our information. We had to rely only on rant Offi cer Alan Kantor leading the rapid reac- In January 2009, the fi ghting in the Congo re- as well. One twenty-three years old woman died before.” emy immediately opened fi re from a machine ourselves. We covered each other by fi re and re- tion team behaves like a professional he is. The sumed in full strength. Under an agreement with of multiple rape consequences in the Walikala gun and other small arms,” was a subsequent treated step by step.” warhead could contain biological substances the Congolese government, some 5,000 soldiers Hospital.“ ISAF description of Luža’s subordinate, Warrant Of- But then another of the vehicles got stuck in with a long incubation time. He sends a lab tech- crossed the border from Rwanda. A new offen- Hynek Pavlačka was immediately interested Senior Lieutenant Jiří Luža left for Afghani- fi cer Martin Karvan, whose role in the operation the wadi. They had to return for it. However, the nical to collect samples and take measurements. sive was launched. The Czech observer in the in the case. He managed to collect enough evi- stan on August 11, 2008. He served as the Depu- was that of a turret gunner. “My colleague in the enemy was so insistent that recovering the ve- The Slovak team is supposed to repeat the meas- area, Captain Hynek Pavlačka, kept regularly dence. However, he was repeatedly advised not ty Commander of the Mobile Surveillance team turret of the other Humvee was the fi rst to open hicle proved impossible. The soldiers erased the urements, to be on the safe side. notifying his superiors and the Czech embassy to rock the boat, as government soldiers had in the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team in fi re. He had a grenade launcher and a PKB ma- information in the radio and jammers, took their The blast wave produced by the explosion of the developments, so that even Czech citi- been involved. He thus waited for an opportu- Logar. On the fi rst day of October, he was or- chine gun. He reacted perfectly. He showed us weapons and ammunition and blew the Humvee caused a lot of damage to this part of Sharq zens planning to visit the region had the latest nity which materialized in the form of a meet- dered to conduct reconnaissance and identify where the enemy fi re was pouring from, so we up. The crew of the vehicle, under cover of an- Market. Fortunately, there was no movie being information. ing attended by UN observers, representatives sites from which the enemy had been launch- could join him. We managed to dispose of one other Humvee which came to help them, then shown in the local cinema, and there are no lives A diffi cult situation development at the time of government forces, local police and non- ing Chinese-made rockets against the base. The of the centres of the attack relatively soon.” retreated. As soon as out of the range of enemy lost. Only two people sustained minor injuries. a decision was made to withdraw the 85th bri- governmental organizations. When he presented place to be reconnoitred was Baraki Barak, at the The shrapnel produced by the RPG explo- fi re, the soldiers who could not fi nd a place in Protective suits and masks clear the way for gade of the Congolese army from the area. “Ac- his evidence before this audience, the matter very edge of the area patrolled by our soldiers. sion injured fi ve soldiers and some members of the vehicle sat on its roof. In the meantime, the the Czech CBRN specialists. Junior Warrant Of- tually, they were not regular soldiers, and they could no longer be hushed up. The trial with The nickname of the mountainous area farther to the team were busy attending to them. Others Czech and US quick reaction teams from Camp fi cer Jiří Milt opens an aluminium box. He ener- did not look or behave like soldiers. Dressed in the soldiers was held right in Walikala. “The the west was the Death Zone. The Taliban infl u- kept trying to recover the bogged-down vehicle. Shank were rushing to the incident site. gizes his meters and deposits samples into small rags, dirty, stealing and plundering whenever observers’ credit among ordinary people rose ence was much too strong there. There were two journalists sitting in one of the bags. “There is nothing to see, I need some and wherever they could. Rabble, to put it sim- immensely. All of them could see that we could Four Humvees were moving along Route Humvees. At this stage of the fi ght, the defence light,” he splutters through his mask. When ply. They were moving on foot to their new base. even stand against government soldiers commit- Georgia, but received an order to turn to an al- rested mainly on the shoulders of the turret gun- a cone of light fi nally cuts out the impact site They were liquidating elementary schools along ting wrongdoings,” Captain Pavlačka says. “The ternate route. After some time, they encountered ners in the remaining two vehicles. by Vladimír Marek

Czech Armed Forces’ foreign deployments in 1993–2012 Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) – Egypt (2009, active) UNPREDEP (United Nations Preventive Deployment Force) UNSMIS (United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria) – Syria (2012) UNPROFOR/UNCRO – Yugoslavia (1992–1996) EU NAVFOR Atalanta – United Kingomd (2010, active) – Macedonia/FYROM (1995–1999) IFOR – Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996) UNTAES (United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Activities of the Czech Armed Forces in OSCE observer missions in UNTAES – Croatia (1996–1998) Czech Armed Forces contributions to UN observer missions Slavonia) – Croatia (1996–1998) 1993–2012 SFOR I and SFOR II – Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996–2001) in 1993–2012 UNMOP (United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka) OSCE – Georgia (1994–2005) AFOR – Albania, Turkey (1999) UNGCI (United Nations Guards Contingent in Iraq) – Iraq – Croatia (1994–2002) OSCE – Moldova (1997) KFOR – Kosovo (1999–2011, then only a team at HQ KFOR) (1991–2003) UNMOT (United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan) OSCE – Nagorno Karabakh (1995–2001) Operation Essential Harvest – Macedonia/FYROM (2001) UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) – Iraq (1991–1993) – Tajikistan (1994–2000) OSCE – Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996–2001) Operation Enduring Freedom – Kuwait (2002–2003) UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force) – Yugoslavia UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) OSCE – Croatia (1997–2001) ISAF – Afghanistan (2002–today) (1992–1996) – Kosovo (1999 – active) OSCE – Chechnya (1998–2001) Iraqi Freedom – Iraq (2003) UNOMOZ (United Nations Operation in Mozambique) – UNAMSIL (United Nations Mission to Sierra Leone) – Sierra Leone OSCE – Albania (1999–2001) IZ SFOR/MNF-I – Iraq (2003–2009) Mozambique (1993–1995) (1999–2005) KVM (Kosovo Veriﬁ cation Mission) – Kosovo (1999) Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, Special Forces (2004, UNOMIL (United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia) – Liberia MONUSC (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the OSCE – Kosovo (1999–2000) 2006, 2008–2009) (1993–1997) Democratic Republic of the Congo) – Democratic Republic of Congo Operation Althea (EUFOR) – Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004–2008, UNOMIG (United Nations Observers Mission in Georgia) – Georgia (2000 – active) Missions of other international governmental organisations in then representation at HQ in Sarajevo, active) (1994–2009) UNMEE (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea) – Ethiopia 1993–2012 EUFOR Chad/RCA (2007–2009) UNCRO (United Nations Conﬁ dence Restoration Operation and Eritrea (2001–2008) DK NS (NNSC – Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission) – Korean Operation Headquarters EU BG – Germany (2009) in Croatia) – Croatia (1995–1996) UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) – Liberia (2003–2008) Peninsula (1954–1993) Baltic Air Policing – Lithuania (2009, 2012) UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan) MAPEXT-WEU – Albania (1998–2001) – Afghanistan (2008 – active) 24 25 NATO Armed Forces of the Czech Republic has joined the NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance program

in the east of Sicily was selected as the new loca- operating base. The AGS command stationing tion for this NATO component. That is because location remains unresolved for the time being. the U.S. Air Force has successfully operated The least likely option is that it would be lo- Global Hawk UAVs for a number of years at cated at Sicily as well. There are rather talks of Sigonella and there are basically all requisite fa- subordinating it to the SHAPE at Mons, or pos- cilities and operations there. In total, 511 service sibly to the Air Component Command (ACC) personnel are planned to be stationed there with based at Ramstein, Germany. Collocating the majority of them assigned to intelligence and headquarters with the NATO Airborne Early reconnaissance related posts, augmented with Warning (NAEW) overseeing the AWACS sys- UAV operators, signal people and other support tem operation is also an option under consid- personnel. ”The proposal that I submitted to my eration. The Czech Armed Forces should be al- superior, the director of the MoD Reconnais- located the post of Chief Ground Intel. ”A sort sance and Electronic Warfare Department, in of a pitfall in my view is that our AGS imple- A Sharp-Eyed Hawk June earlier this year recommended that we ap- mentation team that is embryonic for the future plied for one intel offi cer and two NCO operator AGS headquarters builds on the so-called Vol- / imagery analyst posts. untary National Contribution (VNC) posts. In They would serve three-year tours at the other words: nations currently fi lling the posts base, but they would need to go for at least a six- will not necessarily fi ll them in the future ei- month training course prior to that, depending ther; any NATO nation may apply for those on the post they would serve in.“ Lieutenant- posts down the road. The process of changing Colonel Šťastný says and rules out that the the posts for individual nations takes roughly Czech Republic would be in position to apply 18 to 24 months. While we already are repre- The compound housing the Supreme Headquarters Allied for pilot posts. Those will primarily be reserved sented on the AGS project, practically from its for the US and NATO nations having in the in- inception, I believe it would be good to con- Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, is intertwined with a labyrinth Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare De- ventory similar type of UAVs, who have already tinue the effort. We may only remain hopeful of long corridors. A couple of inconspicuous offi ces are hard partment at that time. gathered some experience. ”We have to build that there will the will in the future to have our ”At that time, the future of AGS was sub- on the body of experience we have gained. The people both in the AGS command headquarters to fi nd in the middle of one of them. They accommodate the ject to discussions on the highest level, but the Prostějov-based 102nd Reconnaissance Battal- and the operating base down at Sicily z,“ Lieu- implementation team of the Alliance Ground Surveillance most important were talks between the U.S. and ion currently has in its inventory the Raven mini tenant-Colonel Šťastný underscores. France. The project was eventually green-lit. UAVs with optronic sensors providing Imagery First NATO troops should come to Signella program. Eight military personnel from fi ve nations seek here NATO Summit in Chicago in May earlier this Intelligence (IMINT). To cover the requirement as early as 2014, because there will be the re- year unanimously endorsed signing the contract for a brigade-equivalent task force, we would quirement to perform military tests of the Global to raise what has been a twenty-year-old idea that NATO for acquisition and subsequently its common need one more bigger tactical unmanned aerial Hawk Block 40 unmanned aerial vehicles and should have own surveillance capability for the fi rst time. An funding. After long years of waiting and major vehicle with the same type of sensors. We have develop all necessary facilities. Original plans changes, the AGS train has left the station and to be hopeful of acquiring it sometime down the were that the initial operational capability of the even more pleasing part of the story is that Lieutenant-Colonel picks up speed every month. Hopefully no one line,“ LTC Šťastný smiles. ”In my view, fi lling surveillance system will be achieved already in Radek Šťastný, the Czech representative in NATO structures, will halt it anymore.“ operator posts would be a great asset for the 2014 and the full operational capability in 2017. In the end, thirteen NATO nations including Czech Armed Forces in such situation. There But it has already become evident that every- has contributed his humble part to everything that has been the Czech Republic joined the AGS project to is a simple reason for that – Global Hawk also thing will be postponed by twelve months. share to total cost of EUR 1.2 billion. The Czech has a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capability As mentioned, the unit will be equipped with accomplished since March 2010. contribution will be approximately 1.7 %. The which falls into IMINT too. Global Hawk op- High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Glo- project’s life will span twenty years from 2018 erators must have a good knowledge of imagery bal Hawk RQ-4B Block 40 aircraft with MP- The idea to form a unit of NATO-owned unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of budg- Out of fi fteen NATO nations that shared till 2038. Funding the AGS operation, which analysis, which Raven operators have. At the RTIP type of radar capable of detecting moving surveillance assets first came up in the first etary restrictions, the number eventually came the system procurement cost, fi rst Denmark is going to claim additional two billions Euro end of the day, UAVs make the world go round ground targets and providing SAR. Contrarily to half of 1990s and has undergone various de- down to the current number of five. The con- pulled out in June 2010 and then Canada in (EUR 79.3 million annually) in that timeframe, these days. Czech servicemembers would gain its predecessors, Block 40 aircraft have a bigger velopments since then. The initial plan was to cept had refocused on unmanned assets only, August 2011. There was every indication that will be shared among all NATO nations except considerable specialist and language skills and wingspan, more powerful engine and an APU. have manned reconnaissance aircraft. In April just fifteen nations remained involved in the the project was verging on its clinical death. France and the United Kingdom, who have un- they would also benefi t from working in interna- It also has dedicated fl ight control software for 2004, NATO awarded the contract for AGS project out of the original number of twenty- With France in the head, many nations were dertaken to compensate NATO’s costs by pro- tional environment, all of which may well ben- high altitude operations. The slotted antenna ar- project design study to the Transatlantic Co- three. In September 2009, those nations signed unwilling to support the project. The situation viding national reconnaissance assets having efi t the Czech Armed Forces upon their return.“ ray radar with active electronic beam steering operative Industrial Proposed Solution (TIPS) the AGS Memorandum of Understanding only improved when the NATO Secretary Ge- a similar type of sensors. will provide all-weather high-precision terrain consortium. A 2005 plan foresaw a fleet com- (MoU) and established the so-called NATO neral sent offi cial letter in autumn last year to Movement detection profi le mapping capability, making it possible bining five manned Airbus 321 airplanes and AGS Management Organisation (NAGSMO). all leaders of NATO nations, requesting their Stationed at Sicily to locate and identify nearly all stationary and seven Global Hawk RQ-4A unmanned aerial ”When I came to this workplace over two support for the project “, explains Lieutenant- The implementation team stationed at SHAPE capability moving land and sea targets. vehicles. The year 2007 saw the decision tak- years ago, the situation with the AGS project Colonel Šťastný, who had been responsible Mons is to fi nalise the overall project concept by A forty-four strong AGS command head- Thanks to the Ground Moving Target In- en on creating a fleet of eight Global Hawk did not look really good. for aerial reconnaissance in the Czech MoD the end of 2012. U.S. naval air station Sigonella quarters will be responsible for the Sigonella dicator (GMTI) technology that uses the 26 27 NATO

NATO nations’ armed forces will be able to connect all data gathered by AGS into their Aerial targets national command and control systems. It has not been decided yet, which Czech Armed Forces component will be the recipient of the Engaging targets in the air is one of the most complex missions information. the military has. It demands a high-quality and intensive Airborne up to thirty hours training, to which there is however a corresponding price tag. Global Hawk has airborne endurance up to thirty hour. It fl ies at altitudes up to twenty thou- One of the ways to make it cheaper is to employ target drones. sand metres and it has practically has a global reach. The system may autonomously operate simultaneously in two locations on the globe. “Global Hawk would take off from Sicily and The air defence of the Czech Republic is cur- and Malacky MTAs). The division of Czecho- make a transfer fl ight into NATO’s area of in- rently provided by fi ghter aircraft, older missile slovakia in 1993 ridded us of many possibilities, Target drones for Czech terest, such as Afghanistan, Iraq or Iran. It has systems and the 2K12 KUB, 9K32M Strela-2M, including in terms of defence and training. Armed Forces the capability to fl y down over South Africa, 9K35M Strela-10M as well as the new short- The Czech Armed Forces has sent GBAD and which is about seven thousand kilometres, per- range RBS-70 (usually designated RBS 70 airmen into Sweden and GBAD guys also into The Czech MoD has recently sought to make form an eight-hour surveillance mission and fl y abroad). According to the White Paper on De- Poland for live exercises. Firings aim to engage GBAD training cheaper by having the RBS-70 back. But it does not necessarily need to take off fence and in line with NATO recommendations, target drones, or towed targets, which are a fab- SHORAD system operators train at home. The from the main operating base. In order to save the Czech Armed Forces should keep and devel- ric sleeve suspended behind the aircraft on a line MoD National Armaments Offi ce concluded that time required for the transfer fl ight, it may fl y op short range air defence capabilities. The live several kilometres long, which have been in use the form of training and live fi re exercises for for its orbits from a take-off and landing airfi eld fi re exercise for the RBS-70, which newly tested since World War I. As a part of their predeploy- RBS-70 system operators had not been realistic located in proximity of TGGS and MGGS in target drones, was designed along these lines. ment training ahead of going to Afghanistan, enough. Live fi ring has only been done at fi xed case of their deployment,“ Lieutenant-Colonel Czech helicopter pilots also went France, Spain targets – moored balloons. In practise, operators Šťastný confi rms. ”According to the original Live fi re too expensive and Israel. Costs of sending soldiers for training, acquire weather balloon wrapped in aluminium Doppler principle, the system is able to auto- will be mounted on truck platforms and operated plan, the AGS system with fi ve UAVs was to An effective training must be performed to their per diem, transportation, housing, range foil, which is moored at constant height above matically discriminate moving targets from the by a crew of two. deliver up to fi ve thousand fl ight hours a year. keep the ground based air defence capability rent, target systems, insurance etc, count in ten the ground. In a way, it imitates a helicopter, and background. Data will be transmitted via standard terres- We were intended to be capable of being on concentrated in the 25th Air Defence Missile million Czech korunas per one training exercise. whilst on the ground, it also represents a tank, The capability will also be able to track them trial or satellite connection near real-time using two orbits twenty-four hours a day seven days Brigade in Strakonice on operational readiness But it gets much higher with the Air Force. But because RBS-70 may also serve as antitank and predict their movement based on target standard communications or satellite connec- a week for thirty days with the aircraft taking standards. RBS-70 operators and other crew the GBAD guys now have a chance to achieve weapon. But the target is static, which makes the characteristics and ambient terrain. The tech- tion. In simple terms, the ground station opera- turns directly in the orbit. But given the fi nancial members do not learn to fi re their systems in substantial savings. engagement a lot easier. nology is planned to be able to compare very tors will be able to receive data from the Glo- cuts and the ensuing cut of fl ight hours down lecture rooms. Simulators would not address the minor changes in the terrain with its digital bal Hawk, evaluate them, communicate to the to four thousand a year, the reality is neverthe- whole challenge either. Full training claims real map library to detect alterations on the surface, forces authorised to get that support, and send less much more sober. With fi ve machines, we environment in the fi eld and naturally live fi r- critical defence infrastructure or false targets. it back to the main operating base via satellite. are able to provide two twenty-four hour sorties ing at real targets. But that is costly. The Czech Therefore, it is also capable to detect spots with From there, data or the end product will be sent a week for ten months a year and in case of op- GBAD guys have been forced to go for training improvised explosive devices. The radar will on via the NATO Network Enabled Capability erational requirement such as Operation Unifi ed into foreign countries to date. Our shrinking mil- be able to detect several tens of thousands of (NNEC) to users at strategic command echelons Protector in Libya, we may have two aircraft in itary training areas have not allowed for live ex- moving targets. and national elements. the air nonstop for one month twice a year. So, ercises to take place without endangering areas ”In case the ground stations are neither used the AGS train is already rolling. The other good outside the ranges. Indeed, such is not complete- TGGS & MGGS ground stations nor deployed in specifi c situation, the Global news is that Denmark announced in May earlier ly new. Prior to 1989, crews operating the Dvina Besides Global Hawk UAVs, the project com- Hawk will transmit its data via satellite to the this year its intention to return among the thir- (SA-2), Volkhov (SA-2), Neva (SA-3), Krug prises take-off and landing operations, sensor Sigonella main operating base, evaluate and teen nations organised in NAGSMO, or indeed (SA-4), Kub (SA-6) and Osa (SA-8) air defence control, a communication information system fuse them in the operations centre and distribute NAGSMA. Some NATO nations have begun to missile systems travelled for live fi re exercises and mobile ground stations. Using those two them to end users. The chain of command for take an intensive interest in possibly fi lling posts into the vast training areas in the former Soviet stations, the unit will be deployable worldwide. this to be realised is yet to be determined under in the AGS implementation team. The Czech Union. Only the fi ring of the Strela-2M (SA-7) Specifi cally, that will involve two TGGS (Trans- the prepared concept of operations. That way we Armed Forces will hopefully be an integral part and the Strela-10M (SA-13) could be performed portable General Ground Station) stations pro- are able to provide information to people with of the Allied Ground Surveillance program in in the domestic ranges. But both types are sched- viding operational level support. Those facilities decision-making authority from tactical to stra- foreseeable future.“ uled for phasing out and their service life draws will be housed in airconditioned tent shelters tegic level. All gathered data will be collected in to end due to obsolescence and lack of missiles. and will be operated by a crew of eleven service the main operating base at Sigonella. All NATO Prior to November 1989, then Czechoslovak personnel. In addition to that, there will be six interoperable surveillance systems are planned ground-based air defence crews, especially and MGGS stations (Mobile General Ground Sta- to feed the facility down there as well.“ LTC by Vladimír Marek and Jan Procházka operators of calibre 30mm and 57mm anti-air- tion) providing tactical support. MGGS station Šťastný explains. Photos by Vladimír Marek and A Review craft guns also trained in Slovakia (Kežmarok An RBS-70 launch: the missile jettisons the booster 28 29 Training

But moving targets are a challenge: when Two solutions factsheet concentrated on avionics, specifi cally fl ight factsheet used in the constrained Czech training areas the Two companies eventually decided to realise control and monitoring. The shape of the drones missiles may hit the ground outside designated development and manufacture technology dem- is roughly based existing types which may be training areas and endanger life or property of onstrators. They adopted somewhat different ap- Director of MoD Force an advantage for RBS-70 crews, who may fol- RBS-70 local citizens. proach to attain the solution. The HAES Group, low it using optical devices. The fi rst drone, the RBS-70 (Robotsystem 70) air defence missiles system has been manufactured by Saab Bofors The target unmanned systems technology a joint venture comprising Hacker a.s. and E.S.C. Planning Division FDIVC-2/B (target drone 2 version B technol- Dynamics corporation since 1977. The RBS-70 is a man-portable short-range ground-to-air mis- was selected is an option to meet that challenge. (Evolving Systems Consulting) companies, Brigadier-General ogy demonstrator), resembles of a common sile system with effective range from 250 to 8,000 metres. Three missile variants were progres- Contrarily to balloons, the drone moves in the launched its HAES 400 unmanned aerial vehi- sport trainer airplane; the FDIVC-2/E looks like sively developed with different electronics and fl ight speed. Mark 01 with Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 air and may be kept within the boundaries of cle already two years ago. Besides other lines František Mičánek: a motor glider and the third one, the FDIVC- variants has maximum speed M 1.6, whereas Mark 2 Bolide already fl ies at M2.0 – close to the training area. The Czech Armed Forces did of business, HAES engages in development and 1/D, resembles of small jet engines for target 2,500 km/h. Contrarily to the popular Strela 2, Igla or Stinger missiles that use infrared homing, not seek a foreign supplier this time. The as- manufacturing of RC model airplanes as well “We seek to keep abreast with technology. drones used by several air forces and is probably the RBS-70 missile warhead is laser guided. The team has connectivity toother ground based signment was to develop a training target drone as parts for weapons and space programs. They developments At the moment, we use fi - a state-of-the-art product worldwide in technol- air defence assets. The guidance system minimises the possibility of jamming the warhead and technology demonstrator. The drone was re- have fi nanced the development of a target drone xed targets (moored balloons) and today’s ogy terms. All three planes are able to take off increases the hit probability. At the drone’s fl ight level above 100 ft, the system achieves 95% hit quired to fl y at various speeds and be equipped using their own funds. There are three versions demonstrations represent the fi rst step to- from the ground, best from paved roads or other probability. The Czech Armed Forces has already uses the Mk. 2 and Bolide missiles only; the so that it would imitate a real-world airplane of the general HAES 400 solution, which differ wards moving the operators closer to the fl at surfaces several dozen metres long. Propeller Mk. 1 missiles are designated for practise live fi ring. Targets are eliminated by explosion of the in the air, including radar signature. The drone in propulsion. The oldest model uses a combus- reality on the ground in the battlefi eld. types may also be hand-launched. The FDIVC-2- warhead that is initiated by proximity fuze. In the Czech Armed Forces, an RBS-70 team with operator would have the option of controlling tion two-cylinder engine, whereas the newer Aerial targets are the means we would like /B and FDIVC-1/D use landing gear whereas the one launcher and several containers with missiles is carried on a Tatra T 810 PVO truck. The throughout the fl ight, or preprogram the fl ight variant is equipped with electrical engine or to pursue down the road in order to in- FDIVC-2/E motor glider jettisons the gear after RBS-70 is in the inventory of 21 countries. trajectory and only take control for take-off a small jet engine. The delta-winged plane with- crease quality of our training. The 25th Air take-off and lands on a skid under its fuselage. and landing. Two versions were required: one out stabiliser has a robust design. The fuselage Defence Missile Brigade has gone for live Regardless of the slim wing and big wingspan as a target drone to be engaged and the other houses autopilot with GPS, sources, servo confi re exercise mainly to Poland so far. The concept, the motor glider fl yies at maximum one as training airplane for practising RBS-70 trol system transforming electrical commands possibility to use the domestic weapons speed nearly 200 km/h thanks to the appropri- operator and crew activities repeatedly. The into mechanical action, and material giving a ra- range in the Boletice MTA would be ideal, ate wing profi le and fuselage aerodynamics. All requirement for an extensive performance en- dar signature adequate to a real combat aircraft. because the safety limits enable us to ope- three aircraft are equipped with small cameras velope resulted into designing two drones with Engine with propeller having tilting units is at rate RBS-70 systems as well target drones in the nose, which enable the operator to have different propulsion, including jet engines. The the back of the fuselage. The start is provided by without posing any threat to the civilian a pilot’s view online during the fl ight and record reason for that was the requirement to imitate a collapsible ramp designed similarly as those population. The requirement is for fi ve to the footage. three types of targets. For combat airplanes, used by foreign competitors. ten aerial targets a year and approximately Drones of both companies use commercial the required speed is up to 500 km/h, around This solution makes it possible to operate the fi ve balloons. We assume the price of this model components, such as electric motors, ser- 200 km/h for helicopters and unmanned aerial drone virtually in any type of terrain. With length target drone could oscillate around CZK vos, gyros, transmitters, which helps save time vehicles may cover the whole spectrum. Deliv- and wingspan nearly 2.5 metres, the drone takes 200,000. That is peanuts compared to costs in development and serial production. The vari- ery and use of the drones is planned as a service off using a rubber band tensioned manually by of travelling abroad, which amount to CZK ants used for repeated training are envisaged to to be provided by a commercial contractor. The a winch or an electric motor connected to a car 15 to 20 million. Unmanned aerial systems be equipped with a parachute as the best landing fi rst stage of the project was to defi ne safety battery. The drone is operated and controlled via can also be used for lead-in training of RB- system, as it does not demand cleared and paved zones for fi ring RBS-70 in ranges in the Czech antennas by a laptop connected to control panel S-70 operators, specifi cally for tracking. In landing areas. So, most of the evaluation effort Republic and to produce a technology demon- with joysticks throughout the fl ight; the trajec- the future, we will provide basic training will focus on functionality and reliability of avi- strator. The assignment includes development tory is shown on the display and stored in the on trainers and then have fi eld training onics on all types demonstrated. of methodology for engaging the target drones. computer memory. exercises, including live fi re at balloons A state-subsidised military maintenance plant, The present HAES 400 technology dem- and then target drones. RC models fl own Engaging various targets currently named VOP CZ, became the princi- onstrator with electric propulsion lands on in the fi eld have a good potential for ra- Servicemembers of the 252nd Air Defence pal project contractor. As a matter of fact, it its plastic stub under the fuselage, which re- tionalising our training for live fi rings. We Battalion of the 25th Air Defence Brigade sta- encompasses all defence institutions develop- quires suffi ciently fl at surface without rocks want to acquire the target drones as a ser- tioned in Strakonice were probably enjoying the ing and manufacturing of ground hardware. In or shrubbery that could potentially damage the vice. It is favourable for Czech Armed For- live exercise and presentation of target drones terms of technology, development is overseen airframe. ces that we have two businesses here, as it most. They took turns to acquiring and engage teams and the SURN Cz radar capability with (AVZP). The systems are integrated to the RBS- by the VOP CZ Slavičín Division, the former The ARXEA company demonstrated three creates a competitive environment and we target drones and the moored meteo balloons. crew, the live exercise also saw the participa- 70 operators via the team leader to the effect Military Technical Institute of Arms of Ammu- various target drones built on airframes of com- are able to achieve better pricing. We will Live exercises are a feast for them, which only tion of the RACCOS automated command and of providing assistance on the so-called rough nition (VTÚVM), which has a track record of mercial models modifi ed to customer require- adjust tender specifi cations based on the takes place maximum two times a year due to fi re control system truck, the PEU POSI facil- guidance. An RBS-70 team comprises seven developing and manufacturing arms and weap- ments. The solution accelerated the develop- lessons we learnt in today’s live fi ring exer- budgetary restrictions. Besides four RBS-70 ity and teams equipped with aerial observer kits personnel, a Tatra 810 PVO truck driver, two on systems components. ment and perhaps made it cheaper, as it mostly cise. We plan to acquire the service within commanders, two operators and two loaders. two years’ time.“ That provides for 24/7 duty shift manning. The activity commanding offi cer Lieutenant- Colonel Jaroslav Daverný, the commander of the 252nd air defence missile battalion, emphasised an interesting fact. The assignment for contrac- tors was as tough as possible in order to prove compliance with technological and tactical possibilities of the demonstrated target drones. The manufacturers’ cooperation with the military has always proven well in the GBAD domain, as it increase the likelihood of redressing teeth- ing problems early and enables fi ne-tuning the product better. Tracking the miniature airplanes was not really easy for RBS-70 teams, because the drones sometimes fl ew against the backdrop formed by trees on hillsides, not the sky. But all the targets were detected nevertheless. One was shot down successfully.

by Martin Koller

The author is grateful to Mr. Petr Hakl of the MoD Natio- HAES 400 aerial target on the launching ramp Interior of the FDIVC-2/E motorised glider nal Armaments Offi ce for informing this article 30 31 Training The NATO Multinational Military Police Battalion attained certifi cation in exercise Sharp Lynx in Wedrzyn, Poland, and is ready for operational deployments Lynx claws instead of bear An intensifying noise is coming from a location far away, in which trained ears would recognise a helicopter rotor turning. A worm comprised of Croatian special counterterrorist unit personnel has been already leaning against the outer wall. Automatic weapons aim forward,upward, sideward and rearwards. It just takes a couple seconds for one of the squad members to fi x a plastic explosive and the access door gets smashed into pieces.

The commando makes an aggressive forced police representatives signed the implementa- entry while another team abseil onto the build- tion agreement in June 2007. In the following ing from a helicopter. Only cries, explosions and year, Wedrzyn, Poland, was the venue to the fi rst gunfi re are heard. Terrorists holding hostages are exercise for the MNMPBN, exercise Black Bear eliminated and the kidnapped persons freed. The 2008. The series then comprised exercises in the security situation in this location is however is Březina/Vyškov Military Training Area in 2009, unstable. It is necessary to clear the area as soon in 2010 in Gasinec, Croatia, and at Lešť, Slova- as possible. One of the squad members with kia, in 2011. a hostage get hooked on a rope hanging from The multinational battalion or its components the helicopter. Slung under the chopper, they fl y may perform military police missions in sup- away to a safe place. A convoy of offroad vehi- port of NATO task force or deploy for policing cles storm in before the building. Soldiers and operation in crises areas. Those efforts involve escorted kidnappers cram inside and only the peace support operations, consequence man- kicked dust remains on the road in a couple of agement after natural disasters, evacuation of seconds. non-combatants and assistance and support to civilian authorities. The agreement also contains Ten years’ preparation coming provisions defi ning the conditions under which the unit may be used in operations involving to a fruition prisoners of war. This was roughly the course of one of the episodes comprising the NATO Multinational Mili- Evaluator from Gendarmerie tary Police Battalion exercise Sharp Lynx 2012 The Black Bear training exercise series was that took place in the Wedrzyn military training to practise and improve the NATO multinational area in Poland. The history of the project of mul- battalion in planning and performance of mili- tinational military police battalion goes back to tary police missions in stabilisation operations 1999. NATO then came up with the strategy of using different equipment and weapon systems. defence capabilities designed to allow deploying MP support missions rehearsed in the exercise forces into crisis areas, arming, equipping and fully refl ected the requirements for the battal- sustaining them to be able to effectively face the ion’s planned operational capabilities. Exer- opponent. Three years later in the NATO sum- cise Sharp Lynx 2012 differed from the Black mit in Prague, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia Bear exercise series particularly because it and Croatia agreed to contribute a multinational represented the culmination of a several years’ military police battalion. Bulgaria initially took training effort and involved fi nal certifi cation part in the project and Ukraine also considered according to CREVAL (Combat Readiness doing so, but they eventually gave up. Evaluation) methodology. The evaluation proc- December 2005 timeframe saw works com- ess itself is conducted by Military Police spe- mence on the implementation agreement and cialists from countries involved in the project. steering, coordination and budfi n groups were In addition, a monitor was called in from the established in March 2006. National military Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe: 32 33 Training

Lieutenant-Colonel Sebastian Dordhain, a plan- and National Defence Academy, who serves as air gets thick with endless series of claims as well equipped with two table-top computers and two ning, doctrines and evaluation specialist with the Commander of Military Battalion in Minsk as with bottles with water and sticks. laptops, plus it also has own radio. ”Back in the the background of many years’ service with the Mazowiecki. His deputy commander of the mul- The senior NATO commander is played by Czech Republic, we use this vehicle in emer- French Gendarmerie. tinational battalion was Czech Major Miroslav one of the evaluators – Czech Armed Forces gencies such as fl ood, airplane crash, search for Once the process is accomplished, the battal- Balogh, whose background includes training Af- Lieutenant-Colonel Roman Gottfried. They are missing persons and the like. The capability ena- ion will be able to perform the whole spectrum ghan National Police at Camp Shank in Logar, able to get into the town hall without any major bles the response commander and his operators of military police missions defi ned under the re- Afghanistan. Captain Zdeněk Koreczki of the problems, and the talks are also pretty seam- to communicate with their subordinate units,“ lated STANAG. The rationale behind the proce- Military Police Command Olomouc was as- less. Their departure from community is how- MSG Roman Ponos explains. “We are using dure is to make sure the unit has capabilities on signed to the post of battalion’s chief of staff. ever a bit more complicated. The crowd turns the capability in exercise Sharp Lynx to moni- same standards as other Allied forces deployed ”From my perspective, one of the most chal- cars over and seeks to block the convoy using tor the building in the Nowy Mur community, for operational tours. lenging tasks in this exercise is to harmonise the anything they get their hands on. An Aligator where the meeting was held of senior NATO staff, as it comprises representatives from four armoured vehicle (assigned to the battalion by commander with local government offi cials. To Poland represented most national armed forces in individual sections that Slovakia), which carries the senior commander that effect, we mounted a part of the SOM 5 se- Same as Slovakia and Croatia, the Czech Re- are to interact successfully. Naturally, language to and from the meeting, nevertheless manages curity monitoring system on top of the vehicle public has contributed a platoon to the multina- barrier also poses a challenge to an extent,“ Ma- to break through. roof. That way we are able to get data on what tional battalion. The lead nation for the project, jor Balogh elaborates. It was obvious already early in the morning is happening around the building we provide Poland has the largest representation with its that the security situation in the area had been security to.“ assigned company and a combat support service Crowd control worsening. The protesting locals gathered at the Just a couple of kilometres on, at Camp Ea- unit. In addition to that, individual nations are Another task for the MNMPBN in exercise entry gate to Camp Eagle, where the battalion gle, there is another Czech capability active represented in staffs as well. Besides the two Sharp Lynx was to provide security coverage HQ had been based. One of the locals was al- – the SOM 3 security and monitoring system, Polish companies and three national platoons, to a meeting of the top allied commander with legedly knocked down by an MNMPBN vehi- which is much more sophisticated than SOM 5, the MNMPBN structure comprises an investi- local leaders in the Nowy Mur community. The cle and suffered fatal injuries and the protesters is highly mobile and provide a higher comfort. gation section, battalion staff and a command Czech MP platoon comprising personnel from demanded that those responsible be handed over It is transported on two Tatra trucks. The Czech component. Reporting directly to the MNMPBN the MP Security Command Prague and MP to them. But they also wanted food and other Military Police has had the system in its inven- commander, the investigation section was Command Olomouc acted as the quick reaction materiel some of the soldiers promised to give tory since 2007. It is primarily designated to headed by Captain Marcin Swiecicki during the force in this instance. They deployed around the them some time ago. This time around, the ne- provide security to external perimeter of build- exercise. railway station with assignment to control the gotiators, who included Captain Koreczki and ings or facilities and/or access control. The two That component engages in investigation and outer perimeter and be ready for action within Lieutenant-Colonel Gottfried, managed to mol- trucks carry both the systems and all the support documenting of incidents that may happen. All fi ve minutes should any drama take place. ”Now lify the discontented and the crowd dispersed. operations including power generator and hous- national units are normally based at their home we are awaiting further orders. In the Czech In the next episode, the Czech MPs with their ing for troops. stations and the battalion only assembles for Republic, we may be called up to similar duties Polish colleagues had a chance to practise crowd The system may operate completely autono- joint training, which must be preceded by sign- in the aftermath of an airplane crash or a large- control in their anti-riot gears. mously, independent of any support. ”We have ing an agreement on transferring those units into scale road accident. The Integrated Emergency Special incapacitating nets shot from assault provided security to and monitored the battalion the command of the MNMPBN commander. Management System is authorised to request rifl es and various tasers were also used to elimi- command post in exercise Sharp Lynx. We are The multinational battalion has the authorised us to secure the area of interest and provide for nate individuals during the exercise. The Czech monitoring the internal perimeter surrounding strength of 278 service personnel. Croatia and unhampered investigation of the whole event,“ Military Police has not used those devices ex- the command post and the surrounding areas of Slovakia both contribute thirty-one personnel; commander of the Czech platoon First-Lieuten- tensively so far. “It is expedient to escalate the the camp including access roads and surround- the Czech Republic contributes forty-one MPs ant Igor Szabó explains. used force progressively. It is defi nitely to fi rst ing terrain,“ Warrant Offi cer Michal Vágner and a hundred and seventy-fi ve service person- But he is called to report to the deputy bat- use non-lethal weapons than those that may hurt explains. The system comprises of four sensor nel were provided by Poland. For exercise Sharp talion commander, Major Miroslav Balogh. The or kill people – and that is where all those nets, units, each of them having optical sensors, day Lynx, Poland also provided support personnel, route initially planned for the convoy carrying tasers and paralysers come in handy,“ Major Ba- TV camera, low-light camera and IR camera. as well as opposing forces and seasoned role- the senior NATO commander has to be changed logh expands. ”Thanks to that combination, we are able to see players who performed excellently in the roles for security reasons. 1LT Szabó assigns two virtually nonstop, regardless of lighting condi- of domestic inhabitants making use of their vehicles from his pool to lead and escort the Surveillance systems tions. All three optical sensors complement extensive fi rst-hand experience they gained convoy. Major Balogh is currently at the MOPRO each other. We also have electronic ground downrange. In a bid to avoid improvised explosive devices mobile command post, which is a rather unique surveillance radar, the Blighter 202 at our dis- The NATO MNMPBN commanding offi cer and potential contact with insurgency, the convoy facility the Czech Military Police assigned to posal. This is an alert system with range up to was the experienced Polish Lieutenant-Colonel choses the route that is signifi cantly more diffi - the multinational battalion. The command post four kilometres. In ideal ambient conditions, the Grzegorz Pardo, a graduate from the Tadeusz cult to pass. Once they enter the community, it housed on an Iveco truck may operate autono- sensor units have a range of eight hundred me- Kosciuszko Higher Offi cers’ School in Wroclaw instantly attracts the attention of the locals. The mously using its own power generator. It is ters at night and we are able to identify a human 34 35 Training

target in the terrain over fi fteen hundred me- Insurgents were eliminated after a short skir- The fi re produced such noise that others could cover to the withdrawing forces. Most of coun- tres,“ Warrant Offi cer Vágner comments. ”The mish, but an unexpected complication occurred not hear me initially. But it is also a valuable ex- terterrorist operations were performed by the way it is designed is that the building we are to at that stage. Having used an underground tun- perience for us,“ Warrant Offi cer Robert Patolán Croatian platoon in cooperation with other provide security to, for instance a base on for- nel system, another group of insurgents unex- describes. “Colleagues had an opportunity to try military police offi cers. The Croatian unit has eign deployed operation, should be located in pectedly appeared behind the Czech and Polish working casualties under fi re. They fi rst provid- been primarily trained for such missions and is a plain area. The external perimeter should be warfi ghters. “They began shooting at us from ed treatment to me and requested MEDEVAC. a component of Military Police Regiment of the as deep as possible for us to be able to react to the back, which caught us by surprise a bit. Then they took me on a truck to the staging site, Croatian Armed Forces. The unit’s history dates any motion.“ The referee designated me injured. It would all where a helicopter had landed. The chopper then back to 1993. It underwent a series of reorgani- be even more realistic, if we would have the transferred to the area medical facility.“ sations, the last of which took place in 2008, re- Attacked from behind MILES simulation system, or the FX marking The Poles also had two casualties. The Slo- naming it from Military Police Counterterrorist The battalion staff received the information ammunition. I reported that I had been injured. vaks secured the outer perimeter and provided Unit to Special Military Police Company. Their that one of the soldiers had been missing. The quality shows in outstanding arms, equipment individual was later confi rmed kidnapped by and training, but also a highly demanding selec- insurgents, and the location was established he tion of applicants. Out of several hundred appli- had been held. A rescue operation got soon un- cants, only eight succeeded in the last round. derway involving all national units comprising the battalion. In command from January Land Rover vehicles of the Czech platoon At the beginning of the next year, Lieutenant- were the fi rst to make a fast approach to the Colonel Roman Gottfried of the Czech Military building. “We instantly got under a fi erce fi re. Police will be assigned the new commander of In addition, the area in front of the building did the multinational battalion. The staff structure not provide for a good cover. So, we had to run should otherwise remain unchanged. Person- across the road and seek a more appropriate ter- nel will only be replaced in the rotation posts, rain profi le as fast as we could. That phase was including in the investigation section. “NATO pretty demanding,“ Lieutenant Michal Čtverák Monitor Lieutenant-Colonel Sebastien Dordhain describes. ”We train for the like affairs quite of France, who had the responsibility for over- frequently, so it did not throw us off balance. seeing that the unit be certifi ed in accordance A Polish unit arrived in the meantime with the with NATO doctrines, confi rmed the battalion task to provide cover for us.“ The very assault was combat ready without any caveats,“ LTC on the building was assigned to the Croatian MP Gottfried says. ”As of now, this multinational platoon, which is most experienced in the like force is available to the Alliance for possible de- ops. Its members were to abseil to the build- ployment. Any NATO unit may now request the ing from helicopter. A strong wind prevented multinational military police battalion’s assist- the fi rst drop and the helicopter needed to go ance, either as a whole or selecting some of its around for another attempt. A ground attack was components on modular basis. Deployment of launched in parallel. individual national units is naturally subject to standard approval process according to national procedures. It therefore has to be mandated by national Governments and Parliaments.“ The multinational MP battalion now strives to achieve affi liation and be assigned under command of the Multinational Corps Northeast based at Szczecin, Poland. ”Then we will be in the pool of forces ready for deployment as a part of NATO MNC Command, which is scheduled possibly at the turn of 2014 and 2015. The battalion is scheduled to take part in several exercises next year. One of those is the annual exercise Crystal Eagle held in Denmark earlier this year. It is a standard exercise to train operations in support of restoring infrastructure, humanitarian relief operations and MP support to forces in their area of deployment. The scenario of exercise Crystal Eagle informed exercise Sharp Lynx 2012. In addition, we will be involved in a large-scale NATO logistic exercise Capable Logistician 2013 scheduled to take place in the Slovak Armed Forces’ Military Training Area at Lešť. We would also like to tweak some details in communications,“ the new commander adds. The Chief of Czech Military Police Colonel Milan Schulc also said he highly appreciated the standards of training the MNMP Battalion had displayed. “I think the unit is trained to high standards of readiness, which is indeed proven by the evaluation of the CREVAL certifi cation team. The Multinational Military Police Battal- ion is a well-functioning example of how four countries may cooperate effectively. And that is what I see belongs to the future.“

by Vladimír Marek 36 37 Medical service

For the aviation engineer personnel of the 241st Transport Squadron, it is just a matter of several as the number of repatriated casualties. In short, accordingly. Additional steps follow in con- beginning of the MEDEVAC program, the per- everything is driven by the need to provide the junction with PTU functionalities and with the ception was much more intensive, but it has not hours to rebuild the Airbus A-319CJ aircraft cabin into any medical seating variant best possible care to patients while onboard the cabin software. The installation is complete with turned into a routine activity to date. Airbus. a check and tests of relevant systems onboard the You have at the back of your mind that you Airbus,“ Captain Špaček says. Since 2007, when are a part of a system doing its best to help an Nine times medical the Airbus A-319CJ aircraft have been introduced injured patient. In a way, you contribute to sav- to the inventory of the 24th Transport Airbase ing the individual. If the effort succeeds, you are installation into the Airbus Kbely, the specialist engineer personnel of the among those who may take credit. The bonus Get the MEDEVAC ready! The PTU connected to medical devices and 241st Transport Squadron performed reconfi gura- you defi nitely enjoy is when you hear the base oxygen may only be installed into the Airbus tion to MEDEVAC nine times. commander thank us for MEDEVAC during the by trained technical personnel observing the Although it is just a sort of technicality for morning brief. It is the pleasing kind of feed- A couple of minutes before Tuesday noon, the phone rang in machine can be used as MEDEVAC capability,“ manual for airplane cabin reconfi guration. “We them, they also admit the human dimension back,“ Major Karbulka says. MAJ Karbulka explains and goes on to say that have no dedicated team assigned for MEDE- their professional effort involves. ”It natu- by Pavel Lang the offi ce of the deputy commander of the 241st Transport identical PTUs may be installed in the CASA VAC reconfi guration. Ninety-fi ve per cent of the rally includes some personal emotions. At the Photos by Jan Kouba Squadron. The command post at the Kbely airbase orders: C-295M transport aircraft in the inventory of the ground technical personnel of the 241 Transport 24th Air Force Base Prague Kbely. Squadron are able to realise the A-319CJ medi- ”Prepare the MEDEVAC confi gured into two patient transport The number of patient transport units to be cal cabin installations, that is indeed everybody units and two stretchers. The expected time of departure is installed onboard the Airbus is naturally limited. who have been retrained for this type of aircraft. “The aircraft manufacturer specifi cally certifi es We fi rst learned about the sequence of works as seventeen hours thirty fi ve.“ In no time, Airbus A-319CJ cabin only four cabin confi guration variants. Those in- a part of type training provided by the aircraft clude medical confi guration with one PTU (left), manufacturer, including practical demonstra- starts to be reconfi gured into the required medevac version. with two PTUs (left and right), two PTUs and tions. In practice, specifi c steps under reconfi gu- Five hours later, the medevac plane is taking off Kbely airbase two stretchers, or four stretchers,“ says Captain ration are described in detail in a specialist man- Zdeněk Špaček, commander of technical fl ight ual. We have progressively gathered necessary runway with the mission to bring back home heavily and lightly the 241st Transport Squadron, and specifi es professional skills and we are always able to injured persons from Zadar, Croatia, in the aftermath of a road MEDEVAC may be confi gured depending on perform MEDEVAC reconfi guration within pre- the number of passenger seats (40–79 seats) into scribed time limits,“ MAJ Karbulka concludes. accident. six variants. The squadron has in the inventory What are the limits? ”That naturally depends two PTUs, one left and one right. The aviation on the specifi c variant of medical confi guration Strategic medical evacuation is a task involv- into various medical variants is only possible on engineering specialists are responsible for keep- and partially also on whether the reconfi gura- ing multiple governmental agencies, not only the airplane with registration number 3085 – the ing them operational. That is why mandatory tion order comes in or off working hours,“ he the MoD components. Their interoperability one that bears the historical name of General works and tests are performed on the PTUs same explains and offers some recent examples. ”The with exactly defi ned tasks and time limits both J. Ocelka DFC,“ says the deputy commander as on any other aircraft system. The Passenger requirement is most often for installing PTUs in and off working hours has a single goal: to aviation engineer service the 241st transport Transport Unit with medical devices is installed and two stretchers. With a fi ve or six member transfer the injured into domestic medical facili- squadron, Major Josef Karbulka, and adds that at the rear of the passenger cabin. In fl ight, the team, we manage to complete the reconfi gura- ties as soon as possible. the other Airbus plane does not have the provi- patients receive the same care and treatment as tion within about fi ve hours from when the order MEDEVAC is not designated just for the sions for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). they would in a hospital. The PTU comprises is given by our command post. Engaging more Czech Armed Forces service personnel. In case ”The Patient Transport Unit (PTU) carrying three autonomous parts. ”The oxygen system is personnel would not be expedient onboard the of need, following communication with the a supine patient connected to medical devices integrated at the bottom. Above it, there are con- Airbus. But the patient transport unit is never- Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indeed it includes an oxygen system comprising four trols and electronics to provide power sourcing theless not installed in all cases. For installation may transport any Czech citizen in immediate cylinders. In case the pressure in cylinders in- to medical devices, and compartments for medi- of four stretchers, the time limit is somewhat danger to life in into the Czech Republic. creases above the limit, the disc bursts and the cal devices. The stretchers to carry the patient shorter.“ It is defi nitely not just about removing The members of the aviation engineering cylinder contents expels outside the aircraft into are mounted on top,“ CAPT Špaček describes. the necessary quantity of passenger seats. service of the 241st Air Transport Squadron ambient air via a dedicated outlet. The special Just as a matter of interest, the whole unit In addition to changing the interior, the process based at Prague Kbely contribute their part to outlet is only found on one of the Czech Air weighs 190 kilograms, and is 0.68 m high, 2.01m also claims much more sophisticated procedures the overall air repatriation effort: by installing Force Airbus: the 3085 plane. The other specifi - long and 0.68 wide. It goes without saying that, that take some time to perform. “The plane’s soft- and confi guring the demanded medical systems city of this particular aircraft is a dedicated au- the aircraft carry onboard the necessary stock of ware must also be reconfi gured. Each seat has its into Airbus A-319CJ aircraft. “We operate two tonomous power installation sourcing the PTUs medical and non-medical equipment and ma- specifi c address. After it is removed, an electronic A-319CJ aircraft, but reconfi guring the cabin and medical systems. In other words, only this teriel relevant for the type of treatment as well block remains in place, which must be modifi ed

3838 39 Training Members of the 151st Engineer Battalion from Bechyně took part in the Danube 2012 international exercise in Szentes, Hungary WWhenhen ppontoonsontoons cconnectonnect tthehe bbanksanks Several large trucks backed into the water. We heard a lot of noise and saw geysers of water splashing into the air. The pontoons ﬁ rst opened, resembling huge lotus blossoms, and then deployed with a loud slap. They were immediately attended to by soldiers holding cables and assembling them into a craft train along the riverbank. After demanding days of tough drill on the water surface, the Danube 2012 Czech-Hungarian exercise in Szentes, Hungary, was about to culminate.

Members of the 151st Engineer Battalion communication in English, at least at my level. from Bechyně and soldiers of the 37th Engineer I cannot image I could do without it,” explains Regiment of the Hungarian Army were practis- one of them, Lieutenant Jitka Bahulová. “The ing the assembly and deployment of a pontoon thing that captured my attention was that the bridge on the Tisza River. “The cooperation be- Hungarian engineers started every day with their tween Hungarian and Czech combat engineers national anthem. It is quite impressive. Most dates back to an agreement in the framework soldiers even sing. It is clear they have a very of the Visegrad Group years ago. In 2009, we strong patriotic feeling. And it looks like the had an opportunity to train on the Elbe River position of the Hungarian Army in their society in Litoměřice. This time we have invited our is also quite different from ours”. The Hungar- Czech colleagues to our country, to Szentes on ian Army is fully professional, just like ours. the Tisza River. The purpose of the exercise is to It uses two types of contracts; for an indefi nite practise cooperation with our Czech colleagues period of time and for shorter, defi nite periods and fi nd out whether we could be deployed to- of time. The training is allegedly also similar to gether, should it be necessary. This is basically ours. “According to what I have heard, there are a follow-on event of the exercise we were a part differences in Tables of Organization and Equip- of in 2009, in Litoměřice. Our objective is to ment. We are fewer, which means we have to be achieve a certain measure of coordination be- cross-trained. In the Hungarian Army, there is an tween the units. It is not only about some of our organic specialist in every slot. Every engineer equipment and that of our Czech counterparts in our army has to be able to perform several being different; there are also some differences different jobs. It is not much of a problem to be in the procedures, the ways we use our respec- trained to work with pontoons, but it is more dif- tive equipment. However, we have so far man- fi cult with some other specialties,” Lieutenant aged to deal with these problems rather quickly. Bahulová adds. The Czech soldiers are good partners to cooper- Army during WWII. When the war was over, was designed, but is still capable of fulfi lling ate with. This is our experience learned in the River as a line of defence the plans were captured by the Soviets. The all missions without any problems. There is three years during which we have been main- Rivers have always been a problem of ma- pontoon bridge was indeed a revolution, as cor- no upgrade needed in the near future. “In its taining contacts,” says Captain Gábor Nagy of noeuvring armies since time immemorial: they roborated by the fact that similar equipment time, it was very good and especially very the Hungarian Army. “We have not had rain in are obstacles which are diffi cult to cross and was later fi elded by the US Army or the Ger- effi cient equipment. We naturally know that Hungary for quite some time. Under normal cir- often serve as a line of defence. Engineers have man Bundeswehr. some armies proceed faster with their upgrade cumstances, the Tisza is about 160 meters wide always had to pay a great deal of attention to “The Hungarian engineer battalion has been programmes than we do. For example, they re- here, but it is just 120 meters now. On the one crossing rivers. If it was not possible to capture using the original Soviet-made PMP pontoon place metal components of the pontoons with hand, it is easier for us, as we have a shorter dis- an undamaged bridge or locate a suitable ford units here. They have two versions here, river plastics, which of course can facilitate some tance to bridge and the fl ow speed is lower as nearby, there was no other option but to ferry and coastal. There are just minor differences operations. But I do not think this is something well. On the other hand, it is a new river for us the troops across or to build a makeshift bridge. between the two versions. The former has we could not do without,” explains the Deputy now, with different properties and parameters.” The invention of a pontoon bridge was literally bolt-on eyelets to allow it to be airlifted by Chief of Engineer Corps. Although the engineers’ job is still physi- a revolution for engineer corps. Our army fi eld- a helicopter. The latter has welded-on pockets cally very demanding, both the Czech and ed a pontoon unit known as PMS in 1967. It instead. Other than that, they are identical. The A closely watched target the Hungarian units had a few women in their was basically a slightly modifi ed PMP pontoon differences from our PMS set are also negligi- Pontoon bridges have always been a juicy tar- ranks. “The training of the Hungarian engineers unit introduced fi ve years earlier by the Soviet ble,” says Junior Warrant Offi cer Jan Kučera. get for enemy aircraft, rockets or artillery. The is very similar to ours. There were just mi- Army. It was manufactured under a license by According to Deputy Chief of Engineer Corps engineers therefore often conduct exercises set nor differences in the procedures used to build Slovácké strojírny in Uherský Brod. The idea Lieutenant Colonel Bořek Valíček, the pon- into a tactical scenario involving, for example, the pontoon bridge. The cooperation required of a pontoon bridge was born in the German toon equipment matches the time in which it the destruction of a part of the bridge by the 40 41 Training

enemy and the quickest possible replacement We have different boats shock absorbers resemble long claws, which is Tatra 813 8×8s. Since the mid-1980s, Tatra 815 the Czech Republic, including human resources, bridged the stream. A mountain biker suddenly of the damaged segments. These exercises often probably the reason why the boats were given trucks have been used. However, the Hungarian equipment upgrades or training issues. It is no emerged from the wood across the river. He include training of cooperation with air defence and vehicles the nickname “Griffi n” by our soldiers, most Army still employs the obsolete Soviet KrAZ secret the Army of the Czech Republic is facing braked to a halt just a few steps from where the units. In the meantime, towboats are being anchored of whom also executed a deep bow to Hungar- 255B vehicles. “They have a wooden cab, basi- a substantial restructuring. The issue presently long pontoon centipede ended. He cast a bit em- Another alternative is represented by dummy to pontoon trains on the Tisza River. In this ian boat operators who have to do their best to cally without any lining, and their technical con- much discussed among the engineers is a poten- barrassed glance across the water surface, ob- or deceptive bridges. They require only a frac- case the gap between the Czech and Hungar- keep their craft serviceable. “Compared to what dition matches their age. But, fi rst and foremost, tial transition from the brigade organizational viously surprised by the bridge which had not tion of the number of pontoons sets that would ian equipment is much wider. Our engineers use the Hungarian engineers have to work with, our there is a generation gap. However, I think even structure to a regimental one. No one is particu- been there a day ago. However, he soon recov- normally be used, the rest being built of any Czechoslovak MO 634 boats and also the newer boats are something like a Mercedes. The So- this comparison was a benefi t for us, as we can larly enthusiastic about it. However, they realize ered. For a while, it looked like he was going material making the whole structure look like version, MO 2000 Veronika, dating back to the viet boats are powered by a half of the engine realize we are quite well off, equipment-wise,” it is not just their concern, but rather the issue of to start again and use the steel structure to get a bridge when viewed from an aircraft. The pur- late 1990s. On the other hand, the Hungarians originally designed for the Ural truck, with an adds Junior Warrant Offi cer Kučera. the overall concept of our army. across the river dry-wheeled. However, a KrAz pose of the deception is to lure the enemy away use the obsolete Soviet equipment of the 1960s electromagnetic clutch coupled to a gearbox and “Priorities will have to be determined be- truck with many tons of iron on its load bed sud- from the real bridge. However, the construc- vintage. Contrary to our boats, theirs are not a small propeller. The exhaust does not have any They would like to bridge fore a decision like this is made. If a step like denly roared into life on the other bank. When tion of pontoon bridges can be practiced even loaded on a transport trailer hitched to a truck; muffl er. All this naturally reduces the power out- this is indeed going to be taken, we must con- its wheels touched the steel ramp, the pontoons for peacetime uses, as they are expected to be instead, they have wheels along both sides of put,” Junior Warrant Offi cer Kučera explains.. the Danube sider which of the existing capabilities will be sang a screeching song that only iron scrap- deployed, for example, in the event of natural the deck which can be pulled out and used to Our pontoon sets were initially transported by There are two large assembled pontoon retained and offered to our allies,” Lieutenant ing against iron can produce. It took less than disasters etc. Pontoon bridges are also built for transport the craft. The deployed wheels with Tatra 138 trucks. These were later replaced by trains lined along the riverbank. These are now Colonel Valíček emphasizes. “As to potential a minute to cross the 130-meter bridge. The second-echelon logistic units, humanitarian pur- loading test was over. “Every international ex- poses etc. ercise like this teaches us a lot. The engineers “The standard width and load-bearing capac- of both armies showed commendable profes- ity of the pontoon bridge are 6.8 m and 60 tons, sionalism during the Danube 2012 exercise. We respectively. It is possible to divide the pontoon could see that if the units use similar equipment, units along the centreline and build a narrower there are no language barriers that could render bridge, with just one lane and a load-bearing ca- the engineer support impossible. I would like to pacity of 20 tons. However, this option is viewed thank the Commanding Offi cer of the Hungarian as an emergency one and is not practiced very 37th Engineer Regiment for inviting us to this often,” Junior Warrant Offi cer Kučera explains. “You need four bank sections; the number of river sections depends on the width of the stream or water body you want to bridge. You can build the bridge even without the bank sections; every river section has two fl at pieces that be used as a makeshift ramp. However, if you want a more permanent structure, the bank drive-on/drive-off sections should be used, as they are stronger, with a more rigid hull bottom and designed to be placed halfway on the ground. Another alternative is to use a fl oating bridge train that can carry a payload between 20 and 70 tons. If necessary, a train carrying up to 150 tons can be assembled as well.”

released and the boats tow them to where they will be linked together. Before the two segment click into place, they form a broad V whose tip points upriver. The V is gradually straightening. A bit paradoxically, the Danube 2012 River Crossing Exercise was staged on the Tisza River. However, it is no secret that many of our engineers would like to try bridging a major European river, such as the Danube. “We would of course like to continue the tradition of large-scale exercises which used to take place on the Danube, near Iža. It is, above all, a question of an agreement and potential cooperation with other countries. Funds also play a substantial role. We are now trying to make use of the Visegrad Agreement to open the matter and to achieve specifi c cooperation commitments for these large-scale events as well,” says Deputy Chief of Engineer Corps Lieutenant Colonel Bořek Valíček. “From my perspective, every international cooperation project is benefi cial. This year we have had a joint exercise with the Hungarian Army; as to next year, we are planning a similar exercise, albeit at a slightly dif- future upgrades, we would like to focus mainly exercise. I hope our cooperation will continue ferent level, with the Polish Army. It is very on the pontoon carriers, as this capability is very and we will be able to welcome our Hungar- important. For example, bridging capabilities of essential for us. We should then proceed with ian colleagues in Litoměřice, on the Elbe River, individual countries are, after all, limited, and EOD units, construction capabilities etc.” just like in 2009,” said Colonel Ota Rolenec, a situation requiring larger units to be built may CO of the 15th Engineer Brigade by way of easily occur, and in fact has already occurred.” The fi nal loadbearing test conclusion. The Czech engineers are allegedly plagued by White fl ags were fl uttering on both banks the same problems as the rest of the Army of of the Tisza River. The steel structure fi nally by Vladimír Marek 42 43 Training A commercial airliner lost communication with the tower and the aircrew started acting hostile – a Renegade mission is about to start RENEGADE Assistance in Distress

It is shortly after nine hours in the morning and a Jak-40 airliner is taking off runway designated two four. After couple hundred metres, the plane lifts off the Kbely airfi eld, banks left climbing to allocated fl ight level and heads for Náměšť nad Oslavou. A problem occurs soon: the aircrew loses communication with the ground controllers! Several minutes’ effort to establish radio get the situation in their area of interest under contact remains fruitless. Jak-40 captain keeps control quite fast. First, they may coerce the un- A Renegade case has just begun … pointing his fi nger at the headset and shaking his disciplined plane to review its intentions by ma- head. The time is up for QRA pilots to end dis- noeuvring, such as crossing its fl ight path or at- cussion and take more effective measures. tempting to deviate it from its fl ight trajectory. If the airplane nevertheless continues to be disobe- Follow me! dient, fi ghters may use force, warning shots from The plot of Exercise Renegade escalates. their cannons and so on. Those are however only Not establishing radio connection with air of a failure to establish communication with under direct control of the Control and Report- to-air missiles were fixed on the hardpoints The Gripen pilot makes it clear to Jak-40 cap- subsequent phases of interception taken in reac- traffi c control is one of the scenarios rehearsed. a commercial airplane. ing Centre (CRC). this time. tain what is going to happen next. ”He will tion to the evolving situation, and are subject to There are several types of distress situations Initial tasking? Perform visual identifi cation The JAS-39 pilot uses a specific nonverbal waving wings,“ Major Miroslav Kail, a highly authorisation by national authorities. commercial airliner crews may get into. As- of the target. ”Exercise Renegade is designed Assistance in distress language to communicate with the pilot of experienced Czech Air Force transport pilot But it is not about rattling arms. On the other sistance to them is one of the types of missions to practice intercepts of various types of targets QRA fi ghter pilots receive basic target in- Jak-40. The other QRA fighter monitors the and a fl ight safety inspector at the 24th airbase hand, underestimating or trifl ing with the situ- performed as a part of the NATO Integrated Air and threats. It tests the air defence system’s op- formation from the CRC. They have it visual situation from the back, standing ready to step Prague-Kbely, and explains this is the follow-me ation does not come into question at all. Sov- Defence System (NATINADS), which essen- erational readiness, which must work any time a couple of moments later. ”Identifi cation comes in immediately. The scramble always takes signal. ereignty of the Czech airspace is the highest tially involves continuous quick reaction alert and under all circumstances,“ says Czech Dep- fi rst. I fi nd out necessary information about the a pair of Gripens. ”It is mostly for tactical rea- The machines fl y one behind another like priority. coverage provided to national airspaces of indi- uty Joint Force Commander, Commander Air airplane, including registration. In case meteo sons and the prescribed procedures for the in- on a string. This is however not a parade es- Czech Gripens are presently also deployed vidual European NATO Allies nations in a sin- Force Brigadier-General Jiří Verner. conditions do not allow that, I try to establish tercept are conceived accordingly. The leader cort with a pair of Gripen fi ghters, but a forced in the Baltic States, fl ying air policing missions gle whole. An ”Alpha“ sets everything in motion. The communication on the emergency frequency to communicates with the target and wingman landing. Not at the original planned destina- to protect the airspace and territorial waters of busiest are the two QRA Gripen pilots and four advise him about the requirement of the ground provides cover,“ adds 1LT Nykodym, whose tion, but at the Čáslav airbase. “The Gripen Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from the Shiauliai Airborne in fi fteen minutes ground personnel. Ground specialists are the fi rst control. Then I perform approach manoeuver for last Alpha in November 2011 indeed had an would guide it all the way to the airfi eld. It is in airbase. As opposed to domestic missions, the Jak-40 airplane continues to fl y along its ones to reach the machines with tail numbers visual contact with the airplane captain,“ First- identical plot – loss of communication be- visual contact. We fl y over the runway in a for- Baltic Air Policing effort is different in some as- planed route at altitude 3,900 ft. The airplane 9236 and 9242. They prepare both JAS-39C for Lieutenant Milan Nykodym, a QRA pilot from tween an airliner and the ground controllers. mation, by which he indicates to me the run- pects. The area of responsibility is roughly three captain repeatedly attempts to establish com- start as fast as they possibly can. Čáslav airbase, describes. ”In most cases, we take off to long-range way I will be landing on in a moment. In case times larger and is located in the very proximity munication with the ground air traffi c control, Pilots come running to the apron. Both get A Gripen, or a multirole supersonic fighter flights. Commercial airliner pilots on long- of adverse weather, he would lead me follow- of Belarus and Russian Federation. but to no avail. Radio contact remains silent seated in the cockpits in no time and start com- aircraft with sophisticated weapon systems to range flights, for lack of attention or because ing on the glide path on through clouds and he As for operational assignment, QRA pilots even on the international emergency frequency munication. The do the mandatory procedures be more precise, pops up the left wing of Jak- of fatigue, may fail to change frequency to would deploy the landing gear. That is a signal from Čáslav may only intercept military targets. 121.50 MHz. and checks in the cockpit in a standard manner, 40. The fighter’s weapon systems comprise communicate with the ground controller at for me that we are going to land. Then I con- They are not mandated to use weapon systems Exactly at 9 hours 12 minutes, the blaring but their performance is substantially faster. The the calibre 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and given waypoints. I also experienced a flight fi gure the airplane and go for the runway. The against civilian aircraft. In case a commercial sound of siren pierces the air around the building scramble order comes soon. The leader taxies to seven weapon pylons that may carry short to when we had a cargo airplane captain ques- Gripens check on me one more time in a low aircrew in distress requests assistance, they will with inscription QRA (Quick Reaction Alert). the runway threshold followed by his wingman. medium-range air-to-air missiles plus a whole tioning possible malfunction on the aft cargo level pass,“ MAJ Kail says. provide it. The Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Both Gripens get airborne within nine minutes range of air-to-ground missiles, bombs and bay door. We performed a visual check and Incompliance with the instructions by QRA in Uedem, Germany, orders Czech QRA pilots from the alert signal (the QRA limit for take- precision-guided munitions. The AIM-9M assured the aircrew it was not an emergency,“ pilots is strictly not recommended. Their fi ght- by Pavel Lang to take off immediately (Alfa Scramble) because off is fi fteen minutes) and approach the Jak-40 Sidewinder short-range infrared-guided air- the Čáslav airbase pilot describes. ers are equipped with systems allowing them to Photos by Jan Kouba 44 45 NATO

As part of the exercise episodes of the NATO Ramstein Rover 2012 (RARO ‘12) international air exercise escalated, Ramstein Rover 2012, NATO whose primary objective was to harmonise oper- Forward Air Controllers ations of tactical pilots and forward air controllers/joint terminal attack controllers in support performed hundreds of of land operations in a NATO environment. This live controls guiding fi xed year’s largest NATO air exercise took place in the Czech Republic from September 4-21, 2012, and rotary wing aircraft on with the participation of sixteen NATO nations. The live exercise was organised and controlled ground targets from the 22nd Airbase Náměšť nad Oslavou by the Air Component Command (ACC) headquartered in Ramstein, Germany. Barely sixty minutes have passed from the incident at Velká Střelná site, and another episode gets played. This time around, the play moves into a little town in the Libavá Military Training Area. A reinforced squad on foot patrol receives CCLEAREDLEARED the information that one of buildings houses an insurgency group armed with a range of hand- guns and hand grenades, and they have their local leader down there too. The mission is clear: eliminate the opponent and secure their weapons. While the coalition unit operates in a high-threat area, air support HHOT!OT! has been requested. An Mi-24/35 gunship as- sists them on getting out of the ambush laid by the opponent and accomplishing their mission. It has been a couple of The helicopter captain hears the order ”cleared hot“ from the forward air controller in his head- minutes past noon, when set multiple times. Every terminal guidance onto a convoy of coalition vehicles target is original. Although this is a training exercise, the slightest relaxation does not come transporting some materiel set into question. It can soon be happening live in off for their assigned location. the Afghan territory. It is therefore inconceivable for the provision The NATO convoy suddenly of Close Air Support (CAS) to coalition forces not to involve FAC/JTACs. Exercise RARO ‘12 gets into contact with trained twenty-three FAC teams from fourteen insurgents just fi ve kilometres NATO nations, in reality totalling close sixty of those highly specialised personnel. preparation. The US training areas eventually off base. Fierce small arms fi re saw the participating service personnel drill causes heavy casualties and A prestigious affair for the fi ve scenarios refl ecting current situation on the ground downrange. gets the unit into a diffi cult Czech Republic The exercise did not take place in 2011 due to Combining the name of the city hosting the the NATO Operation Unifi ed Protector in Libya. situation. Headquarters Air Component Command and the For 2012, the request by the Czech Republic acronym ROVER (Remotely Operated Video was accommodated and endorsed by all NATO The platoon leader orders to dismount the Enhanced Receiver, a device used by FACs for nations: the 22nd Airbase Náměšť nad Oslavou vehicles, extend order and taking combat posi- precision guidance), exercise Ramstein Rover was the primary venue for the Host Nation Sup- tions. The plot suddenly ceases to escalate. The does not have a particularly long tradition. port (HNS) provided to exercise Ramstein Rov- calm in the battlefi eld however does not last ”An accident took place in Operation ISAF in er 2012 for nearly three weeks in September. long. The troops who set off to make some recce 2006 causing coalition forces to suffer fatali- Additional premises were assigned at the 21st on the road are engaged by opposing forces. ties by mistake in controlling the aircraft. The airbase Čáslav, in Libavá and Boletice Military ”Contact at twelve, a DShK on a red technical, follow-on analyses generated a range of spe- Training Areas and the town of Písek. The exer- distance four-hundred metres,“ a soldier reports cifi c recommendations, and the priority was cise involved sixteen nations – Belgium, Czech to the commander. The unit is soon under heavy given to standardisation of JTAC/FAC training Republic, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Federal enemy fi re from DShK machinegun. Its 50-cal and organisation of NATO air exercises in the- Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, armour-piercing incendiary rounds are putting atre-realistic environments as close as possible Poland, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, the the coalition forces under considerable pressure. to the situation in Afghanistan,“ says German US and the United Kingdom, either as trainees The commander orders their embedded FAC Air Force Colonel Harry H. Schnell, an ACC or as observers. (Forward Air Controller) to request air support Ramstein representative and Exercise Director It is by all means a prestigious affair, as for them. An L-39ZA light combat aircraft ar- RARO ’12. RARO ‘12 was NATO’s largest air exercise in rives the site in ten minutes. ”NATO asked all the nations to join in and 2012. Exercise Flying Rhino, well-known to the ”We have got hail coming down from North volunteer to become a host nation for exercise general public, and Exercise Ramstein Rover is also an operational difference: RARO ‘12 is to South in thirty seconds,“ a cry is heard over Ramstein Rover,“ COL Schnell adds and goes do not compare at all. “Flying Rhino was a bilat- designed for fully combat qualifi ed forward air the platoon’s position. Fire from the GSh-23 on to say that Canada volunteered to organ- eral exercise. A UK Division service personnel controllers scheduled for foreign deployments high-speed double-barrel machinegun under the ise the premiere exercise RARO 2010. It soon moved over to the Czech Republic to rehearse in the months to come. Although many of them cockpit repeatedly sprinkles the opposing forc- turned out that the organizers did not have suf- their procedures and other soldiers partici- have had considerable operational experience es’ positions. The coalition force quickly regains fi cient quantity of aircraft to provide close air pated in training with them. Exercise Ramstein before, they would again undergo the prescribed control of the situation and soon continues its support and additional orchestration; so the Rover is a NATO effort under direct control of guidance procedures with specifi c emphasis on movement. This was how one of the simulated United States took up the challenge of joint the NATO Air Component Command. There current situation in the areas of interest,“ Deputy 46 47 NATO

Airbase commander, Colonel Miroslav Svoboda move, elimination of a high-ranking opposition professional readiness, because this is a specifi c of either one or the other,“ opines the experi- explains. leader in a building or in vehicle, precision guid- close air support training. Our squadron has de- enced Mi-24/35 gunship pilot and deputy com- For reasons easy to understand, he is not spe- ance on target and its elimination or disengag- ployed in Afghanistan several times already and mander the 22nd wing, Lieutenant-Colonel cifi c about new trends in FAC operations, and ing from ambush in a built-up area. It should be I can tell the missions we are fl ying at RARO ’12 Rudolf Straka, points out that the Czech combat offers a general statement that the activity of emphasised at this point that no one of the FACs are fully in line with our tasking downrange.“ aircraft, specifi cally the Mi-24/35 and L-159 controllers on the ground is always subject to an has a clue of what is coming up next. ”They Before being seated in the cockpit, he reveals ALCA, have consistently worked to provide in-depth analysis and then fused into FAC op- do not have familiarity with details of the sce- that he had fl own the Thunderbolt A-10A for JTACs/FACs training with the US Air Force in erating procedures. ”Those must be updated for nario. It is highly realistic – live fi re is included. about eight years and has piloted A-10C since Europe Air Ground Operational School (USAFE current changes in the area of interest and their The JTACs indeed operate in realworld envi- 2006. ”For communication with FACs, we al- AGOS) stationed close to Ramstein in Einsie- operations realigned to achieve maximum ef- ronment,“ the Deputy airbase commander says ready have much more sophisticated technology, dlerhof, Germany. fectiveness. It is not exceptional for this process bluntly. for instance the secure Link 16,“ says the squad- To deliver the most effective solution, as the to be performed fi ve times a year. Although the Nevertheless, this NATO exercise does not ron commander, who was inter alia involved in slightest mistake can have fatal consequences, changes may be slight, they are very important benefi t the land components only. The fl ight combat activities in Iraq. strict rules must be observed. Absolute cer- in reality. Procedures for specifi c cases in specif- personnel also gains experience. Lieutenant- tainty must be guaranteed that all involved have ic locations are newly reviewed,“ COL Svoboda Colonel Clint Eichelberger, the commander of Combat experience referred to the same target. The very terminal concludes. That is refl ected in the scenarios of the 81st Squadron the U.S. Air Force equipped In proximity of the target area, where imitated guidance operation before engaging a ground operations rehearsed in RARO‘12 on repeated with the A-10C , comments: ”Ramstein Rover, it houses and a handful of cars have been placed, target is preceded by a standard procedure that basis, including engagement of convoys on the is an excellent opportunity for us to increase our there is a concealed forward air controller whose involves a briefi ng for the pilot to receive the activities must built on an in-depth knowledge of necessary targeting data from the FAC. They procedures in an English speaking environment. double check that they are referring to the same Before he speaks exclusively for us, it should target. Then the land-based Operation Point be noted that FACs are one the key enablers in (OP) authorises the pilot the use the onboard the battlefi eld, who may make the critical differ- weapon systems. Pilot turns the aircraft into the ence. The FACs must naturally master air traffi c fi nal attack cone onto the designated point. The in his area of interest, and there is no way for fl ight is guided by the FAC. Once the pilot con- them to authorise the use of weapon systems on fi rms the assigned target, the fi nal order is given: an aircraft without ensuring safety of the pilot or ”Cleared hot!“ aircrews, coalition forces and non-combatants “I came back from a deployment in the Logar on the ground. It is not correct to state that FACs province six weeks ago. I had several hot runs guarantee target elimination. The truth is some- or shows of force to suppress enemy activities. what different. The fi nal element is really the When the opponents see the fi repower over- pilot; the forward air controller only guides his head, they are quick to review their intentions eyes on the ground. ”I do not dare who can take and withdraw. I had mainly A-10s on line,“ War- a greater credit in eliminating the target, whether rant Offi cer P. N. says and recalls he had a U.S. the pilot or the FAC. You have to keep in mind Air Force A-10 pilot calling him two hours after this is a complex activity. The mission would a mission and thanking him for a job well done. not be accomplished without the contribution He offers another comment on mental resilience of FAC/JTAC personnel. ”It has involved hundreds and hundreds of hours of hard training that builds on operational experience. Instruc- tors permanently push us to remain in considerable stress and correct the slightest mistakes we make. Everything is done from the top of your head. No routine, no underestimation,“ the FAC confesses and throws in the most valuable feather in his cap: ”It was with an A-10. It just took fi ve minutes from the fi rst contact and we got aircraft come in and we eliminated the target General Jiří Verner and Deputy Commander of work to keep itself in good shape, the more so with fi re in the seventh minute.“ the 22nd Airbase Náměšť nad Oslavou Colonel that progressively downsizes its engagement in A couple of metres on, Sergeant First Class Miroslav Svoboda, the VIP guests transferred deployed operations such as ISAF,“ Minister K.K. is concealed in the terrain. ”Czech FACs to the fl ight line, where they were able to watch Vondra concluded. are one of the best equipped. The technology is prefl ight prepping of Turkish Air Force F-16s Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Lieuten- suffi cient to support our operations over short as and U.S. Air Force A-10s, as well as reloading ant-General Petr Pavel underlined the value of well as relatively long distances day and night.“ a Slovak Air Force L-39ZA light combat aircraft exercise RARO ‘12 for the Czech Armed Forces But he is interrupted by a sharp cry: ”Hail in six- with ammunition. as follows: “In multinational exercises with such ty seconds. Bravo to cover, alpha move back.“ The VIPs were then invited to follow real scale, Czech military professionals are able to The unit again gets into contact with the enemy. training of JTACs/FACs in tactical scenario gain invaluable experience both in command Today, it is for the fourth time already … in a built-up area. The initial phase involved and control structures and in real combat situa- a troops in contact episode, which escalated in tions. So, we are benefi ting in multiple ways.“ Commendation by VIP guests requesting close air support by the FAC and Same as Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra, Monday, 17 September 2012, the forces train- eliminating the opponent forces by an assault of the CHOD said the medium term plans envisage ing in the exercise were visited by top offi cials a Mi-24/35 gunship called in. Next, service per- keeping the unique FAC capability in the Armed of the Ministry of Defence, General Staff and sonnel of the 25th Air Defence Missile Brigade Forces of the Czech Republic. “We have abso- the Air Component Command Ramstein, headed headquartered in Strakonice offered a static lutely no considerations underway for reducing by Minister Vondra, Lieutenant-General Petr demonstration in a combat dispersal site involv- the forward air controller element. The unit’s Pavel and Lieutenant-General Friedrich Wilhelm ing S-10 (SA-13) and RBS-70 systems in the strength is presently suffi cient for us. We will Ploeger. Demonstrations were also attended by process of acquiring and simulated engagement maintain their professional skills that have prov- a Senatorial delegation representing the Com- of low-fl ying aerial targets. en invaluable for us, especially in Afghanistan,“ mittee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, “It is vital for NATO to remain strong and co- LTG Pavel underscored. led by the Chairman, Senator Jozef Regec. After herent in the years ahead. We have to train more introductory briefi ngs by Deputy Joint Force and more to that effect. Exercise Ramstein Rover by Pavel Lang Commander – Commander Air Force Brigadier- 2012 is very vital. The Alliance must therefore photos by Jan Kouba 48 49 History

A Lavochkin ﬁ ghter of the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Fighter Air Regiment A hundred years will elapse these days in the USSR taking off from the Tri Duby airﬁ eld from the birth of František Fajtl, one of our most renowned WW2 veteran pilots

He formally became a member of the French Foreign Legion and underwent fi ghter training on new types of aircraft. When German troops crossed the French border, he was appointed the leader of a fl ight consisting of three airplanes and dispatched to the front. He operated from airfi elds in Lyon-Satolas and Coloumniers, off Paris, and fi nally joined the retreating 1st Spitfi re Mk.VB of the 313th Czechoslovak Fighter Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron commanded by Squadron RAF at Churchstanton, UK, in spring 1943 Captain Jaroslav Kulhánek. Having handed over his airplane, he made his way to Casablanca, from there to Gibraltar, and thence to Liverpool, where he fi nally arrived on July 12, 1940. He was initially assigned to No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Fighter Squadron of RAF. As the squadron had more pilots than it needed at that time, he was transferred fi rst to No. 1 Fighter Squadron and later to No. 17 Fighter Squadron of RAF. It was with the latter that he participated in the Battle of Britain. HHee SSurvivedurvived HHisis DDeatheath Here he also achieved his fi rst air victories. Following the formation of No. 313 Czechoslo- vak Fighter Squadron, he became one of its fi rst The pilot realized that he had sustained a hit and that he would members. In December 1941, he was appointed the leader of its Flight A. František Fajtl dif- not be able to keep the plane airborne for long. He assessed the fered from the rest of our pilots in quite a few situation in a fraction of a second and decided to crash-land his respects. First and foremost, he sported a full The 1st Czechoslovak Fighter Regiment in Slovakia beard, a thing unheard of and absolutely forbid- burning plane in a nearby fi eld. den in the army in those days. It made him uno- verlookable, although it required an exemption “I left the parachute in the aircraft and rushed Even today’s experts shake their heads in awe granted by the king himself. Fajtl explained he to a small solitary house some 300 metres away. over his feat. There is no doubt he must have could not shave for health reasons, as shaving While the people working nearby were curious, been in great physical shape at that time. He produced rash on his face. He had been profi - they were not willing to help the downed pilot. himself claimed he had been driven by a desire cient in languages even before he came to Brit- I did not think I would be handed a civilian suit to sit in the cockpit and fl y again. ain. In addition to a number of other languages, immediately, but I did expect at least a piece of When he learned in Paris that his hiding place he was fl uent in English. As a matter of fact, that advice. I was dumbfounded by their impassive would be at Viktor Čermák, a naturalized Czech language was seldom taught at schools of the attitude,” is how František Fajtl, the Czechoslo- living in France and coming from the same vil- First Republic, where French had been preferred vak WW2 fi ghter pilot and commander of RAF lage as he, Donín, Fajtl must have been truly because of political ties. Combined with his No. 122 Squadron, was describing these dra- and genuinely surprised. At that time, the Brits fl ying and commanding experience, the knowl- southwest of Moscow. It was with this unit that early as in the beginning of May 1949. He did not matic moments later. “I soon learned the reason; had already given up any efforts to rescue him, edge of English allowed him to become the fi rst František Fajtl fl ew to support the Slovak Na- even have time to enjoy it properly. In November they were scared as hell. I spotted an old lady believing he had perished during the mission and Czech offi cer to command a British squadron, tional Uprising in the autumn of 1944. Follow- 1949, he was retired from the army; two months in her sixties and a ten-year boy near the house. pronouncing him “Missing, Presumed Killed”. namely No. 122, on April 27, 1942. ing the retreat of insurgent units to mountainous later, he was arrested and sent to a forced labour The latter made a gesture at me as if someone Nevertheless, Fajtl set off for the Pyrenees, which When he got back from Nazi-occupied Eu- regions of Slovakia in the end of October 1944, camp in Mírov. After his release in June 1951, he wanted to hang him.” he intended to cross to get into Spain. In spite rope (a description of Fajtl’s arduous trek is the regiment re-crossed, under dramatic circum- worked fi rst as a labourer for a building company, The calendar read May 5, 1942, and the fi eld of the injuries he had sustained, he succeeded. into the pre-war Czechoslovak Army to serve in provided above) and after the necessary recov- stances, the frontline and landed in the territory later as a storekeeper, cashier and accountant. he had used as a crash-landing strip was located in Early in June, however, he ran into a patrol of mountain troops stationed in Slovakia. However, ery period, he could choose from a number of controlled by the Red Army. It was reorganized He was partly rehabilitated as early as in 1964, Nazi-occupied Europe, close to Hardifort, France. Spanish soldiers off Espola and was arrested. He he decided to become a professional soldier and staff jobs at air commands. However, he wanted and supplemented by a third squadron. which allowed him to write publications on the Although the Germans immediately launched went through a succession of prisons, including enrolled in the Military Academy. He spent his to fl y. In September 1943, he took over No. 313 In the end of the war, the regiment took part in deployment of our pilots on the eastern and partly a hunt for the downed Allied airman, Fajtl initial- Figueras, Barcelona and Zaragoza, fi nally ending fi rst year of general military education in Hran- (Czechoslovak) Fighter Squadron of RAF. battles for the Moravian Gate. After the war, Fajtl also on the western fronts. He had an indisputable ly managed to hide in a water-fi lled trench. Later in the notorious concentration camp at Miranda ice and the second one, focused on fl ight train- Four months later, he became the commander attended and graduated from the War College in literary gift. He was fully rehabilitated only after he set on foot to the south, his plan being to try de Ebro. As a result of an intervention of the Brit- ing, in Prostějov. He served as a pilot in a recon- of a group of twenty fi ghter pilots who were Prague. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel November 1989. He was promoted several times, to get to the unoccupied part of France. He had ish consul, he was released and returned to the naissance squadron in Olomouc. He never put about to be dispatched to the Soviet Union and of the General Staff and appointed the Deputy his ultimate rank being that of a Lieutenant Gen- two packages with him, one containing two thou- United Kingdom via Gibraltar. up with the occupation of truncated Czechoslo- establish a Czechoslovak air unit there. The Commander of the 1st Air Division based in eral (retired). He died in October 2006, aged 94. sand francs, the other with survival emergency However, that was not Fajtl’s only tour de vakia. As early as in June 1939, he crossed the selected pilots underwent a retraining course Prague. However, hard times were awaiting him food tablets, chocolate and energy pills. With the force. Polish border at Velký Polom and reported at on Lavochkin aircraft and early in June 1944 after February 1948. For a short spell, he was Pro- By Vladimír Marek assistance of French resistance members, he ulti- A graduate of the Business Administration the Czechoslovak consulate in Cracow. A month formed the 1st Czechoslovak Independent fessor of the Air Seat at the War College, but he Photos by Central Military Archives mately managed to reach Paris. Academy in Teplice-Šanov, he was inducted later, he sailed on the Kastelholm to France. Fighter Air Regiment in the Kubinka airfi eld, was sent on leave to await further appointment as - Military Historical Archives 50 51 rubrika

The pilot gets his Gripen into the best position to ﬁ re an AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missile. He pushes the button on the stick AAERIALERIAL FFIGHT:IGHT: and quickly rolls to the right. A couple of seconds later, the missile hits the aerial target. One of the red machines is killed this time, as it sought to gain air superiority over a strategic facility of the blues. The combat mission at the TSC Pardubice bblueslues vvs.s. rredseds is coming to a head …

52 53 Training

An ordinary single-storey building in the Par- dubice airfi eld: the fact that pilots wearing Czech and international uniforms keep pouring in can be a mystery for many passers -by. Only insiders know how unique the facility inside is: it is the Tactical Simulation Center (TSC). Such operations are scarce to fi nd in Europe. The Czech operation is a component of the Aviation Training Centre CLV Pardubice, a division of the LOM Praha state enterprise. It became operational in November 2011 pursuant to the Armed Forces’ requirement for such a specialised training. In other words: the Czech Armed Forces will not create an in-house TSC capability, but rather acquire a tailor-made service. ”To date, we have already completed thirteen one-week training courses for JAS-39 Gripen and L-159 ALCA pilots at the TSC,“ the TSC manager Mr. Jaroslav Šefl says and on to specify that one training course comprises ten pilots and a couple of air traffi c management specialists. “In a week’s time, eight fl ight trainers deliver are able to provide three hundred and twenty simulated air missions with focus both on tactical beyond visual range combat and Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) procedures in the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS),“ he adds and offers some interesting stats on fi r- ings of short and medium range missiles. “Over a thousand missiles are fi red here at the sim weekly. The price of one real missile counts in hundred thousand Czech korunas. Plus you have to add the fl ight hour costs for Gripens and the one-fi fty-niners. In purely economic terms, we save here hundred millions Czech korunas. With a little overstatement, that is not the decisive factor – which is safety. Here we are able to with situations they may fi nd themselves in an- train without damaging the aircraft and without ytime. They repeatedly practise various types possible loss of life.“ of missions and maintain their professional The benefi t is obvious indeed. It both pro- habits. It is a comprehensive training.“ Com- vides the comprehensive fi ghter pilot training plexity in reality means that pilots are prepared process and builds on fl ight safety, effectiveness to face any situation. “The difference in fl ight and effi ciency. But that is far from complete yet: effort is essential. In the NATINADS, which the Tactical Simulation Center has also ambi- is a peace mission, we perform visual target tions in the international arena, which is proven identifi cation missions, indeed we assist com- by the simulation tactical exercise with the par- mercial airliners in distress. In an operational ticipation of Czech, Hungarian and German pi- deployment into a crisis area, it claims a com- lots – members of the NATO Tiger Association pletely different tactical scenario for aerial (NTA) held in June earlier this year. “We have combat. The good thing is that we are able to repeatedly rehearsed new tactical dogfi ghting intensively train both at TSC Pardubice. More- procedures and proven our combat abilities,“ pi- over, we can also train special fl ight procedures lots of German Tornados and Hungarian JAS-39 here,“ First-Lieutenant Pavel Štrůbl, a Gripen Gripen concur. It is not a secret that there are pilot, relishes. currently talks with the Sweden, which has In the Tactical Simulation Center, aviation a similar facility, sounding the possibility to in- students are closely assisted by outstanding terconnect both simulation centres and perform mentors – for example Otakar Prikner and Jiří a joint exercise in 2013. Pospíšil, who just recently ended piloting the JAS-39 Gripen supersonic fi ghters. ”The spec- Indisputable training benefi t trum of missions to be practised in the TSC is The Tactical Simulation Center is a restrict- was nevertheless permitted to enter premises, matter of hours,“ Mr. Šefl explains and ¨says been planned for the 211 Squadron at the TSC for you to survive,“ CAPT Pavlík says and ex- very diverse. We can come back to any situa- ed access facility. Classifi ed for Top Secret where the blues fi ght the reds realtime on a big the TSC is also able to generate ground hard- in 2012. As a matter of fact, the 212th Tactical plains that, contrarily to the TSC, kills in tacti- tion in the air several times and then chose the level, its heart comprises the simulation room screen. ware, vehicles, air defence systems and naval Squadron, equipped with L-159 aircraft, has cal exercises in domestic or foreign airspaces most effective way of performing the mission. that accommodates eight high-fi delity cockpits The sims can be preprogrammed for vari- vessels. Participants in fi ctive confl icts respond been allocated eight weeks of training in 2012. are only declared after the fl ight in the debrief- Although you do not experience sudden chang- of JAS-39 Gripen multirole supersonic fi ght- ous types of aircraft, but especially a broad to scenarios escalating in various ways. “This Wrong would be those concluding that trainees ing. The deputy squadron commander admits it es of weather or G force, the fi delity of fl ight is ers, and L-159 ALCA subsonic combat aircraft, range of combat missions. ”In addition to JAS- simulated training is ultimately realistic. It con- may push beyond the limit in simulated dog- is really challenging for the 211 TacSqn pilots nearly real. We know what to focus on in our two Ground Control Intercept workstations and 39 Gripen a L-159 ALCA, we are also able tinuously incorporates lessons learnt by NATO fi ghts without risk. The contrary is true. “The to combine the mandatory sim training hours training. It is about learning ever more valuable one Forward Air Controller station as well as to render F-16s, MiG-29s or Su-27s through squadrons that have deployed for combat oper- air picture is being permanently evaluated here. and their QRA duties in the NATINADS. lessons,“ concur both ex-military pilots, now the briefi ng/debriefi ng room. In practice, be- simulating their performance envelopes and ations. It defi nitely helps us maintain our high You make a tactical mistake and the missile He has not encountered a negative reaction members of staff of the Tactical Simulation fore the trainees are allowed into the facility, weapon systems, but the cockpit and fl ight professional qualifi cation standards,“ a JAS-39 gets you in a wink. Your cockpit gets smashed, to the TSC. “This is not just to make an appear- Center in Pardubice. they have to undergo specifi c security proce- controls remains the original Gripen or L-159. Gripen pilot and Deputy Commander 211th which is visualised with a high fi delity. The ance. It has a great value for us. Operational dures. For those not in training, the security is Retraining international course participants for Tactical Squadron Captain Pavel Pavlík under- feeling of being shot down is real. Therefore, lessons learned inform the scenarios of air op- by Pavel Lang much higher. The Czech Armed Forces Review our standards is not time-consuming at all. It is scores and adds that six training weeks have every step you take must be done expediently erations here. Here, all pilots get confronted Photos by Jan Kouba 54 55 rubrika

Army General (ret.) Tomáš Sedláček, an outstanding Honour to his Memory personality and member of our army units in exile during WWII, died at the age of 94

stabilize properly. We were supposed to land on both feet and execute a parachute roll. Other- wise you would have been slammed against the HHee knewknew howhow toto fi ghtght ground. On my third jump, a buckle or something After the retreat of the insurgents to the When the front got closer in February, they like that bashed my nose and I was bleeding.” mountains, Tomáš Sedláček and remnants of the managed to cross it at Brezno without any prob- In the summer of 1944, Tomáš Sedláček was brigade regrouped at Soliska; from there, they lems. The remnants of the brigade were regroup- seconded to the Eastern Front. He travels via Gi- had to undergo a deadly retreat via Chabenec. ing in Kežmarok. The Czechoslovak command braltar, Haifa, Baghdad and Baku to Chernovtsy, “We were told we could skirt along the slopes of was considering its reinforcement and subse- wwithith life’slife’s hardshipshardships where the reserve and reinforcement centre of the Low Tatra Mountains and head for the front. quent deployment in another airborne operation our troops was located. Because of his superb However, the distance was relatively long and, in the Czechoslovak territory. However, Moscow physical condition and parachute training, he is moreover, the weather got signifi cantly worse. disagreed and the formation was transformed On August 27, 2012, Army General Tomáš Sedláček died in of disappointment even after the retreat to the assigned to the position of the Chief of Staff of Covering the hundred or so kilometres suddenly into an infantry brigade. The plan was to deploy United Kingdom. Our brigade there had far the artillery component of the 2nd Czechoslovak seemed impossible,” Tomáš Sedláček recalls. it in the very end of the war. On May 7, the bri- the Motol Hospital, Prague. “I knew he was ill, I visited him too many offi cers, which was why he was sec- Airborne Brigade. He is not given any time to “At that time, I was in a superb physical condi- gade received an order to move from Kežmarok in the hospital only this weekend. Although his condition onded to an artillery battery manned by offi cers. loiter – still in his offi ce shoes and without being tion, so the march did not pose any problems for to Valašské Meziříčí. The news about the end of “I think the problem could have been handled issued any fi eld gear, he and the brigade are de- me. However, there were people among us for the war in Europe arrived while it was still on was serious, I still believed he would fi ght his disease and in a different way. If we had been distributed ployed in the fi ghting in the Carpathian Moun- whom it was an ordeal. Together with a few of- the move, between Ružomberok and Žilina. Its win, just like he had done so many times in his life,” was how among British artillery units, they could have tains. Fortunately, a decision is made a few days fi cers and orderlies, I joined a group led by Ivan command received an order to man garrisons made much better use of our expertise and capa- later to airlift the brigade to Slovakia to help the Pazderka. We were proceeding along a contour in southern and central Slovakia to screen the Minister of Defence Alexander Vondra commented the sad bilities. And we, on the other hand, could have Slovak National Uprising. “I actually fl ew twice line at an altitude of about 1,000 m a.s.l. After Slovak-Hungarian frontier. The brigade’s HQ accumulated some new experience,” he recalled there. The fi rst attempt was on September 14 some time, we found out it was impossible to go was located in Banská Bystrica. Tomáš Sedláček news. “General Sedláček was a prominent personality of the with indignation even many years later. or so, but there was fog over the Tri Duby Air- on, we had to descend. We came across a wood- stayed on for two more months and then learned modern Czech history. All the more that we do not have anyone He was offered the opportunity later, in the fi eld, it was impossible to land. So we returned, cutter’s cabin where a Jewish family was hid- he was to report in the Military Academy in second half of 1943, when he was assigned to landed on an airstrip near Lvov and waited for ing.” The group had survived in this shelter until Hranice and to organize combat readiness train- like him anymore.” So, let us remind this outstanding military the British 112th Royal Light Artillery Regi- the weather to improve,” the general recalls. November 1944, when they were evicted by ing there. Having completed the War College in individuality. ment in Eastbourne. “We maintained a high alert status, ready to take Slánký and his people. They had to build a dug- 1948, Tomáš Sedláček became the Head of Ops Sedláček also attended a number of special off immediately. But nothing was happening. It out nearby, in which they lived until February (S-3) of the 11th Infantry Division stationed in training courses in Britain, including a so-called was only on October 6 that we actually took off. 1945. They were able to heat their dugout, but Plzeň. Three years later, he was arrested and Tomáš Sedláček was born on January 8, 1918, since his early childhood. At the age of 17, he assault training course taking place in a remote However, the situation over the Tri Duby Air- when fresh snow fell, the heat made it melt and indicted of espionage and high treason. He re- in an offi cer’s family in Vienna. “Actually, our graduated from a technical secondary school and coastal house off Fort William. fi eld was exactly the same, with fog everywhere. the roof was leaking. They managed to lay their ceived a life sentence in the subsequent kanga- family spent two spells in Vienna, the fi rst one in volunteered for mandatory military service at the In addition to tough marches, which invariably Still, we made an approach and landed.” hands on a big sack of beans which they were roo trial. “Actually, I have never learned what it 1911, when my father attended a quartermaster’s 1st Artillery Regiment of Jan Žižka of Trocnov, invited rainy weather, he learned how to handle The 2nd Czechoslovak Airborne Brigade was subsisting on, but even they ran out after some was all about. One of my subordinates in Plzeň course there. The second one came in the end of stationed in Praha-Ruzyně, immediately after and place explosives and how to shoot intuitively. deployed in those sections of the front where the time. They had to hunt for food in villages situ- was Josef Kučera. He maintained contacts with the war. My father served as a consular offi cer in his school-leaving exams. ”With the fi rst year of The course also included the arcane art of silent situation was the worst. It fought at Svätý Kríž, ated in the valleys. his schoolmate Ženíšek. But I still do not know Kosovo and he preferred to leave his family in the my service at my belt, I wanted to enrol at the killing. It proceeded to parachute training at the Zvolen and ultimately also Banská Bystrica. It “Sometime early in February 1945, the group what they were organizing at that time,” General Austro-Hungarian capital,” was how the general Military Academy in Hranice, but they turned Ringway Airfi eld. They started with theory. Us- covered the retreat of insurgent troops. However, of Ivan Pazderka attacked a German column Sedláček told us. recalled the early years of his life. “From Vienna, me down, perhaps they thought I was too young. ing a dummy aircraft fuselage, they learned how by that time everyone could see that the uprising with grenades on the road to Brezno. Prompted He passed through the notorious “Little we moved to Toušeň, which was my mother’s I had to wait another year,” he related. In 1938, to embark and jump. They were taught how to was running out of steam. “On Friday, October by their successful raid, we decided to stage House”, via the prisons in Pankrác, Valdice, birthplace. We lived there for four years. But he was mustered out of the Military Academy in open the parachute and how to execute a para- 27, 1944, people in Banská Bystrica started something similar. Only Nanda stayed at home, Mírov and Leopoldov, to end up in a uranium my father had to commute to Prague, where he Hranice as an artillery lieutenant. At that time, chute roll. His fi rst jump was also his fi rst-ever looting the local distillery. There were crowds the others set out. Marching along the slopes of mine in Bytíz. He was amnestied in May 1960. served, and his family ultimately followed him.” the artillery was mainly a horse-drawn service, fl ight in an airplane. “There was a hole in the of drunken people in the streets, including my the Low Tatra Mountains, we moved to a po- His wife had divorced him a year earlier. “I re- Tomáš Sedláček Sr. was an offi cer of service which was why a substantial part of training fl oor and we were supposed to sit on its edge and own batsman Pišpéty, who soon disappeared, sition above the village of Horná Lehota. As call we were carried in a bus. As we were driv- corps, fi rst in the Austro-Hungarian army and was dedicated to equestrian skills. For Tomáš slide off, with our parachute attached to a static never to reappear again. In the utterly chaotic a matter of fact, we had received information en through the streets of Příbram, everything later in the Czechoslovak Army. Step by step, Sedláček, horse riding was another sport in his line by a snap hook. As one was falling down, situation, we started retreating in the direction of that there was a German artillery battery sta- looked terribly derelict to me. Everything had he advanced to the colonel’s rank. The family portfolio and he enjoyed it tremendously. the strap attached to the static line deployed the Donovaly. There were still remnants of Slovak tioned in the direction of Čertovica. However, changed during the nine years in prison; I had education refl ected the fact. Two of his four sons In the spring of 1940, he left, via Slovakia, parachute and it opened. However, one had been units that had not yet fl ed. The road to the moun- we ran into a snowstorm bringing more than to learn how to live again.” However, he had to were graduates of the Military Academy in Hran- Hungary and Syria, to France. He reached Mar- quite tense before that actually happened. Never- tains, and in fact the entire valley, was packed. half a metre of fresh snow, which made our ad- wait another thirty years, until 1990, for his full ice. When the family had moved to Prague, all seille on May 13, 1940, i.e. at the time when the theless, when I saw the white parachute top above And we were continuously strafed by German vance very diffi cult. We had to spend the night rehabilitation. its members joined the Sokol sport movement in German attack against France was in full swing. my head, I knew everything was OK and I actu- Stukas (Ju-87 Stuka – editor’s note), which were in a shepherd’s hut. When we fi nally got there, Prague’s neighbourhood of Vinohrady. This was He was assigned to a reserve unit and thus did ally enjoyed it. We were jumping from about 800 still engaged by an anti-aircraft battery under the there was no trace of the Germans. We had to why Tomáš Sedláček was being raised in sports not take part in the fi ghting. He was in for a bit metres, which was too low for the parachute to command of Josef Bernklau.” return with our hands empty.” by Vladimír Marek 56 57 Training

Beginning July 2012, Czech soldiers and airmen have joined the European Union Battle Group factsheet effort for their second time The idea of so-called Battle Groups was born when the European Union decided that EU forces would engage in crisis regions worldwide. Development of a quick reaction force system began consequently. With dozen of stars A typical Battle Group comprises a battalion equivalent force augmented with essential Hundreds of military professionals and doz- support capabilities: reconnaissance, artil- ens tons of materiel and weapons are heading lery, logistic support and the like compo- for the fi ctive country of Fontinalis some fi ve nents. Its force structure enables the Battle over head thousand kilometres from Brussels. According Group to perform missions in various types to the scenario of exercise European Endeavour of operations ranging from humanitarian 2012, the country was drowned in persistent dis- relief operations to separation of bellige- The large operations room is literally swallowed in the dark only gruntlement over distribution of revenues from rent parties using force. oil, recently coupled with nationalistic issues. A In November 2004, EU Defence Ministers cut in spots by feeble glare of computer displays. The clocks on civil war broke out in the territory. The mandate in Brussels decided in favour of forming the the wall show various times. But for those in the room, 12:22 to deal with the complex situation and stabilise EU Battle Groups. Some Member States, Fontinalis was given to European Union forces, including France and the United Kingdom, Zulu is decisive. At this very moment, this universal coordinated specifi cally in this case comprising service per- were able to assign forces with the strength time is followed by all units comprising the European Union sonnel from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Ireland, of fi fteen hundred service personnel practi- Macedonia and the Czech Republic, too. cally at once. So, the European Union had Battle Group, be they on the European, African or North For the EU Battle Group (EUBG 2012/II) a Battle Group on standby for operational led by Germany, the Armed Forces of the Czech deployment already in January 2005 and American territories. Republic has assigned (for standby from 1 July two since the beginning of 2007. Then De- till 31 December 2012) the second largest con- fence Ministers of the Czech Republic and tingent with the total strength of 350 personnel. the Slovak Republic, Karel Kühnl and Juraj Infantry and combat engineer company, a chem- Liška, came up on behalf of their countries ical, biologic radiological and nuclear defence with the idea of setting up a Czech-Slovak platoon, SHORAD platoon, Military Police EU Battle Group in November 2005. group, a Civil-Military Cooperation team, ge- Units forming the Battle Group are loca- ospatial support module, ROLE 1 medical sup- ted at their home stations on standby alert. port and MEDEVAC elements and the national At least a part of the BG must be able to support element. In addition to that, twenty-six deploy into the area of operations within Czech personnel serve in staffs at various ech- ten days. The area for the BG to deploy elons of command. is decided by the Council of Europe. In In the Battle Group’s headcount of three addition, deployments must be manda- thousand, Germany has the largest represented by the Government and subsequently tation with 1,750 soldiers, followed by 350 endorsed by the Parliament of the Czech Czech and 350 Austrian military personnel. The Republic. The European Union has a track Croatian Armed Forces contributed two-hun- record of leading operations in Bosnia and dred and fi fty, Ireland one-hundred and fi fty and Herzegovina, in Congo as well as counter- FYROM/Macedonia one-hundred and forty-fi ve piracy operations at the Horn of Africa as servicemembers. a part of Operation Atalanta. In coopera- Germany assigned, inter alia, two infantry tion with Slovak Armed Forces, the Armed companies, Macedonia and Croatia one infantry Forces of the Czech Republic prepared company each. Austria participates with a com- CZE/SVK Battle Group for standby in the bat support battalion, Ireland with an ISTAR second semester of 2009 and also assigned Canadians at a cost. “Such procedure may ap- three years. Colonel Trojan currently serves as company. The EUBG also comprises a German personnel to man the command structures. pear somewhat unusual to us, but Germans have the chief of planning branch of the Joint Force helicopter company. The situation with the heli- For our standby period, we used the offer a long-standing cooperation on development of Command in Olomouc. copter unit was problematic from the beginning Germany had made for us to potentially exercise scenarios with Canadians. They already ”We are working in an international environ- of the force generation process. Given the gen- augment the Operational Headquarters in produced documentation for exercise European ment in exercise European Endeavour 2012. erally high demand for operational deployment Potsdam, Germany. Endeavour 2008 and 2009. This type of fi eld And we had to come here prepared accordingly. of helicopters, none of the EUBG 2012/II con- This year’s involvement by the Czech Ar- training was not realised in 2010 and 2011 so The precondition is to have an in-depth familiar- tributing member states indicated interest in as- med Forces in EUBG is not the last one at that they followed up this time around,“ says ity with the standard operating procedures; you signing them. Germany eventually took up the all. In 2016, Czech soldiers and airmen will Lieutenant-Colonel Jaroslav Beneš, the Czech have to have them down to a fi ne art. As to this assignment. be forming a combined EU BG with their national representative at OHQ Ulm, Germany. specifi c exercise, we have also been provided colleagues from the Armed Forces of the “Besides common agenda I am responsible for the scenario and the expected developments. Under twelve fl ags Visegrad Four countries. at the HQ, I am also involved in working out the Soldiers had the opportunity to study all of that The EU BG certifi cation exercise European scenario and development of so-called incidents prior to their arrival to Wildfl ecken,“ Colonel Endeavour 2012, which took place in the Wild- for the trainees to respond to. In reality, I am on Trojan underscores. fl ecken training area in Germany, had even international type of missions,“ the Commander the other side of the exercise at this stage than ”I have some personal experience with such stronger multinational dimension. It saw the of Czech contingent Colonel Jaroslav Trojan all of the colleagues from my section.“ international environment, which I gained dur- participation of military personnel from twelve explains. ”During the exercise, soldiers proved ing my tour in Brunssum, Belgium. The exercise EU Member States plus Canada, Croatia, Mac- their ability to perform missions in medium in- Alternate convoy routes runs according to the European Union standard edonia and the US. The exercise fi nalised what tensity multinational operations.“ Commander of the Czech contingent, Colo- operating procedures, which are however nearly was nearly a two-year preparation of the Czech The fi ctive country of Fontinalis is located nel Jaroslav Trojan ranks among the most expe- identical to those used by NATO. Nevertheless, EU Battle Group members. ”We focused on on a large and little populated Canadian island rienced soldiers. He served in KFOR twice, in this is the fi rst opportunity for many trainees purely national training for both individuals and of Newfoundland. The rationale behind such 2000 and in 2005, when he was the command- to have a fi rst-hand experience. The communi- units till the end of the last year. Starting Janu- choice consists in the fact that Germans or- ing offi cer of the 6th Czech-Slovak Battalion. cation is only in English, as is all the prepared ary this year, we endeavoured on performing dered the exercise scenario to be developed by He was posted to NATO JFC Brunssum for documentation.“ 59 Training NATO

Major Milan Holusek, who served on the exercise as a logistics offi cer in the operations Crisis scenarios and training activities – that was the focus centre, concurs with that. The main supply route has just been cut off and his task is to identify of a four day deployment of Czech pilots in the Baltic States suitable alternatives and redirect the convoys carrying materiel. ”I pass the information from the operations centre on to the logistic support group to analyse it. As to the performance of Czech offi cers, I am confi dent we have been prepared to good standards. If our unit would go for a real deployment, we will surely manage, as we have served in international staffs for a number of years already,“ he adds. A job for Czech engineers One of the so-called incidents the exercise trainees were faced with a dam break and fl ooded refugee camp. ”I had to send a unit to check on the dam. Their objective was to fi nd out whether there was any other threat imminent. Then they were involved in clearing the fl ooded road that leads to the camp. We would naturally be able to do all of that in a real situation as well. The conditions follows: the units forming the deployment carry of staff work do not differ from reality in any as- materiel and stock for the fi rst three days with A rrerunerun wwithith ttwowo pect,“ First-Lieutenant Richard Janík accentuates. themselves. Next seven days are the responsibil- “My mission here is to control the operations of ity of the National Security Element. Supplies the Czech engineer company. Upon receiving an for the remaining twenty days would either have assignment, I coordinate their activities and natu- to be transported from the Czech Republic, or ppremieresremieres rally I also send regular situation reports.“ procured directly in the area of deployment. All Czech service personnel assigned to the As to the transportation of the Czech contin- Battle Group have been through necessary ex- gent, this would very much depend on actual lo- It is shortly past ten hours in the morning and two subsonic Council mandated intervention and subsequent aminations and vaccination. Those measures are cation of deployment. In case of going on rail, maintaining of a no-fl y zone over an area of in- driven by the fact that they may deploy as far as seven trains would do for the contingent. Even L-159 ALCA combat aircraft with distinct inscription Czech Air terest,“ MAJ Štefánek explains and elaborates: six thousand kilometres from Brussels. That in- possible combination with sealift would not be Force roll to the threshold of runway three two. They soon start ”In the morning wave, our fl ight effort will fo- cludes equatorial Africa, where there is a pretty a problem. Strategic airlift would naturally be cus on maintaining the no-fl y zone by JAS-39C complex situation in terms of health risks. When the most expensive and most complicated op- and lift off the Shiauliai airbase runway after couple hundred Gripen fi ghters. Subsequently, a humanitarian our potential deployment gains a more specifi c tion. It would claim twenty-seven Antonov-124 meters. The morning mission of the NATO exercise Baltic Region relief fl ight will take place, in which the CASA shape and the location is determined for us to type of aircraft fl ights. According to Major Ho- transport airplane will be escorted by two sub- deploy, our contingent gets additional special lusek, logistic support ranks among the most Training Event (BRTE) has just begun… sonic L-159 ALCA aircraft. Then a sea rescue equipment accordingly. challenging services and it holds true of the Bat- mission will be performed as a shot-down Finn- tle Group twice as much. The contingency plans The two-day exercise Baltic Region Training 24th Air Force Base Prague-Kbely. The Czech ish F-18 pilot will be picked up by Estonian hel- No go without logistics envisage deployment over long distances plus Event was organised by the ACC – Air Com- Armed Forces contingent comprised thirty per- icopter. The afternoon missions involve close air We have to carry full thirty days-of-supply. operations in a forbidding terrain. “But we have ponent Command headquartered in Ramstein, sonnel: the fl ight personnel plus ground mainte- support to a land convoy at Adazi weapons range Although the BG comprises an Austrian combat to able to cope with that. You will not get any- Germany. This is not the fi rst time for the Baltic nance specialists from both airbases. in Latvia and intercept by Gripen fi ghters of two support battalion, but they provide logistic sup- where without logistics.“ States to host this training event. This year’s edi- Episodes played under the Baltic Region Train- “hostile“ one-fi ve-niners deserting and making port in place only after the fi rst stage is over. The tion has been the thirteenth in a row and it has ing Event scenario did not come at random. ”The an escape fl ight into the blue territory. But that initial phase of possible operation is covered as by Vladimír Marek become a custom for BRTE to take place three reason for deploying Czech pilots in the Baltic way they will violate the no-fl y zone…“ or four times a year. Operational bases are the States is twofold – practising for crisis scenarios ”Although these are standard air missions, Shiauliai airbase in Lithuania or Amari, Esto- and training activities in support of Lithuanian, the effort pilots have to exert here is much nia. ”Participation in exercise BRTE is open Latvian and Estonian air forces,“ Major Jakub higher than in their domestic environment. The to NATO as well as Partner nations. This is an Štefánek of the Czech Joint Force Command says reason are the differences, ranging from a dif- open training event, whose priority is to increase and elaborates: ”By a joint fl ight effort, we react ferent environment to different English spoken,“ interoperability among air forces,“ says the to possible escalating divergences in crisis areas. COL Tománek says and explains a professional Commander of 21st Wing of the Čáslav airbase Scenarios are developed on and informed by cur- trend followed at the 21st Airbase Čáslav. ”On Colonel Petr Tománek and goes on to specify rent operational lessons. For instance the previous foreign deployments, we would not go for mis- that this time around the two-day air missions BRTE XII activity focused on Close Air Support sions that we have not performed at home. First in the airspace and over territorial waters of the (CAS). That way we helped to complete the full we have to be able to accomplish them perfectly Baltic States were performed by the aircraft of training cycle for the Forward Air Controllers of in our mission training areas and only then in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic our Baltic colleagues prior to their deployment foreign airspaces. Why? The name of the game and Finland. ”BRTE always sees the involve- for operations in Afghanistan. Our assistance here is maximum safety,“ the Wing Commander ment of the task force currently providing air to the Controlling and Reporting Centre (CRC) underscores. policing from Shiauliai airport in support of se- Karmelava, Lithuania, is also highly valued by curity of the Baltic States’ airspace as a part of our Allies. In order to achieve NATO standards, The Baltic Eye the NATINADS integrated air defence system.“ the CRC needs to have profi ciency in procedures After a two-day effort of the Czech service In BRTE XIII, the Czech Air Force was controlling a higher number of combat aircraft. personnel in NATO BRTE, the Czech Air Force represented by a pair of multirole supersonic But they do not have them in their inventory. Our military professionals carried on fulfi lling op- JAS-39C Gripen aircraft and four L-159 ALCA effort will undoubtedly foster a higher effective- erational assignments in exercise Baltic Eye. subsonic combat aircraft of the 211th and 212th ness of the local air defence system.“ “Exercise Baltic Eye takes places as part of what Tactical Squadrons of the 21st Tactical Air Force To get a better idea, some BRTE XIII scenar- has already been a long-standing bilateral coop- Base Čáslav and a CASA C-295M transport air- ios can be elaborated upon. ”The play envisages eration between the Armed Forces of the Czech plane of the 242nd air transport squadron the a situation, in which the United Nations Security Republic and the Armed Forces of Lithuania, 60 61 NATO

indeed from 2004 on, when Lithuania joined the on both training exercises in the Baltic region. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The primary From his perspective, the four-day mission for goal is to support the development of Lithuanian L-159 pilots and ground specialists brings a dou- Air Force’s readiness. We perform regular fl ights ble benefi t. ”The fi rst aspect is the international over here to help improve professional readiness dimension. We fl y in airspace where NATO dem- of local specialists, such as combat air traffi c con- onstrates its presence in the Baltic States by the trollers, who have to have a mandatory number of rotations fi lling the Baltic Air Policing mission. controls,“ Major Jakub Štefánek says and relishes At this moment, as the NATINADS air defence the benefi ts exercise Baltic Eye offers. system is supported by JAS-39 Gripen aircraft, The Czech-Lithuanian defence cooperation the L-159s also enjoy a good visibility. It is a very was forged in a Memorandum of Understand- good presentation for the subsonic combat air- ing that provides for one-day missions fl own craft. The locals have had a hands-on experience to Lithuania’s main operating base at Shiauliai. with the L-39 Albatros aircraft. Many of them ”On monthly basis, one day is scheduled for would not tell the difference between the two a pair of L-159 ALCA to fl y from Čáslav airbase types at the fi rst sight. That is why it is our pleas- down here. The only exceptions would be tech- ure to show them the L-159 in a close-up. Many nical problems or adverse weather conditions. have been surprised to see on their own eyes that Performing these missions, we provide quality L-159 ALCA is much more advanced technologi- training for them to keep national air defence cally that the L-39 Albatros,“ MAJ Řezáč says and system up to required NATO standards. We have adds: ”In the BRTE exercise, we fl ew under direct made use of the fact that we are operating from command of the Combined Air Operations Cen- the Shiauliai airbase at the moment and com- tre (CAOC) stationed in Uedem, Germany, which bined the two exercises together. A four-day ef- was not the way we do our job back in the Czech fort is used effectively and enables us to have Republic. In addition, that was a tactical training, a particularly high intensity fl ight effort,“ COL which generates new experience. We have proven Tománek adds. for ourselves that we are able to perform the assignments. We are given an order, elaborate on it Everything onboard a single in adequately, get ready for mission performance and then we fl y for the mission according to the aircraft requirements of our superior echelons.“ Before pilots’ activities in the airspace of Bal- The commander of the 212th tactical squad- tic States can be described, let us spend a couple ron regards the intensity of fl ight effort in a for- of moments on the apron. Although the activities eign environment as another professional bene- in Lithuania have become routine for the Czech fi t. ”We have not fl own in such a comprehensive Air Force professionals from Čáslav airbase, their way in the Baltic States. It is another step for us effort may boast two premieres this time. ”For towards attaining deployability anywhere and the fi rst time, we have gone for a foreign deploy- anytime if we are ordered to.“ ment with so-called Czech Armed Forces deploy- The personnel of the 242nd transport and spe- able task force package that comprises four sub- cial squadron with the CASA C-295M airplane sonic L-159 ALCA combat aircraft and a CASA joined the fi rst part of the mission in the Baltic. Winding it up is always quicker than the prepa- C-295M transport airplane. We have proven in ”Our mission was to transport humanitarian re- rations beforehand,“ he concludes. a real-world scenario that the relevant fl ight and lief aid. We transported cargo from the Shiauliai In the run-up to BRTE, he attended several ground personnel including essential logistic sup- airbase to a civilian airport in Riga, where we planning conferences, or indeed talks in the port can be transported for a foreign deployment unloaded it. Throughout our fl ight, we were es- area of deployment. ”The exercise objectives using a single transport aircraft,“ MAJ Štefánek corted by a pair of L-159 ALCA aircraft,“ CAPT determine everything else: quantity of airplanes, concludes. In other words: upon receiving an or- Jiří Ulvr, captain of the CASA C-295M airplane number of personnel and logistic support includ- der, such contingent may pack its stuff quite fast, describes. ing accommodation and messing. The host na- move into designated location using its organic Same as him, other crewmembers have already tion would tell you what they are able to provide assets and begin performing the operational as- mastered that type of missions. But it is always and you have to bring the rest over here: neither signment. Available information shows that after original. ”Every fl ight is different. That applies too much nor too little. At the same time, you this premiere activity in the Baltic region, reruns universally to foreign training exercises as well. have to be ready for any situation that may oc- can be envisaged in the short-term. Here in particular we improve our professional cur. You know, what you do not take with you is The L-159 ALCA aircraft experienced another procedures, because the conditions in the Baltic what you desperately need soon. It is about the premiere there. Specifi cally, those were three up- region differ from those at home – from commu- small things,“ CAPT Svoboda says and admits graded one-fi fty-niners with cockpits equipped nication in a different language to unpredictable it is not that easy as it may seem to outsiders. with new multifunction displays providing Nordic weather. We highly value the opportunity ”Especially the last days before the departure a better orientation for the pilots in foreign envi- to take part in such events,“ CAPT Ulvr says and are quite hectic. You have the responsibility for ronments using a more sophisticated chart data- specifi es there are several joint exercises a year a larger team and naturally you are required to make a dedicated publication. A two-hour mis- ”Cleared hot!“ the Latvian FAC instructs the landing gear, which is a convincing signal that base. Colour displays fi ve by seven inches both that service personnel of the 242nd Transport and satisfy everybody’s needs,“ he concludes. sion of a pair of L-159 ALCA aircraft comprising Czech pilot. ”We have performed two assaults they would comply and land. Escorted by a pair improve the fl ight software and enhance fl ight Special Squadron participate in along with the The question whether he feels comfortable in two distinct phases will be described this time. in pair in support of the convoy with a simulated of JAS-39 Gripen, they are brought in the short- safety. As pilots of the 212th Tactical Squadron Čáslav tactical Air Force Base. the role of a general team manager here, as op- Having lifted off runway three two of the drop of guided bombs,“ 1LT Pekárek specifi es est possible way to the Shiauliai airport runway. say themselves – the new technology opens new A report from the Baltic Region Training posed to his senior ground maintenance specialist Shiauliai airfi eld, the two machines head north, their performance at the weapons range. Their violation of the no-fl y zone was not left possibilities in employing the L-159 capability. Event and exercise Baltic Eye would be in- assignment at the home station, makes him smile. or more precisely, towards the capital of Latvia, Both ALCAs then fl y back south. The exer- without response. The skirmish between the The future will however largely depend on the complete without a mention of Captain Václav ”I do not take it personally at all. It is still about Riga. Approximately twenty minutes on, they cise scenario orders them to become ”deserters”, ”reds“ and ”blues” roughly a kilometre above budgetary resources to enable to make use of the Svoboda. Although his service assignment is as airplanes and fl ying. Moreover, I am a travelling arrive to the Adazi weapons range. ”Our mission who would like to start a new life on the side of the ground had a well-justifi ed rationale. At new possibilities in practice. a specialist engineer with the 21st Wing, he was addict. I take it as a pleasant lot that I am able to is to provide close air support to a ground con- the ”blues”. Their attempted escape fl ight acti- any one time, this may no longer be an exercise responsible for all ground affairs at Shiauliai. see the world and yet do something good for my voy. We will be guided onto designated targets vates the NATINADS system, which scrambles scenario, but an alpha scramble to defend the Flying in foreign countries – Needless to say that he worked to full satisfac- colleagues from the base,“ CAPT Svoboda says. by forward air controllers,“ says First-Lieuten- QRA Gripen fi ghters to the ALCAs in a couple airspace. tion of the whole Czech force in training. ”For ant Jaroslav Pekárek, who has logged about four of minutes. The Gripen leader performs visual new experience me personally, this event in the Baltic region Defending the no-fl y zone hundred and fi fty hours fl ying ALCAs. identifi cation of the intercepted targets and or- Commander of the 212th Tactical Squadron started already three months ago and will have Description of all events in the airspace of After mandatory procedures between the earth ders the L-159 pilots on the radio to follow them by Pavel Lang Major Jiří Řezáč also gives a positive evaluation ended roughly a week after the exercise is over. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would defi nitely and the sky, both one-fi fty-niners go for action. to the designated airfi eld. ALCAs deploy their Photos by Jan Kouba 62 63 History

promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, followed by his advancement to the rank of Divi- sion General four years later. During the May HHisis ccountryountry 1938 mobilization, he was responsible for the defence of the border section between Znojmo and South Bohemia. During the next mobilization, in the autumn of 1938, his task was to defend the section between Vranov nad Dyjí and tturnedurned iitsts the Vltava River. Second Resistance When the remnants of the republic were occupied by Germans and transformed into the Protectorate, Ingr was in Brno. In the next few bbackack oonn hhimim months, he participated in building up the “De- fence of the Nation” resistance organization. On 2 September 2012, the urn with the ashes of Army General Sergěj Jan Ingr, a prominent politician, diplomat, However, he crossed the Polish border in June participant in three resistance movements and a fi ghter for freedom and democracy, was deposited in a ceremony During his life, General Sergej Jan Ingr 1939, from where he travelled to London and into the monument in the cemetery at the Vlkoš community in attendance of Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra and thence to France. He became the highest-ranking other guests. was involved not only in the 1st, but also military representative of our resistance in exile. 2nd and 3rd resistance movements. Army In 1940, he was appointed the Minister of Na- tional Defence of the Czechoslovak Provisional General Ingr was shown a presidential decree reason for it. The trial was closed only on No- General Sergej Jan Ingr was the Minister of Government in London. whereby he was removed from the position of vember 9, 1945, with a verdict to the effect that National Defence in our exile government Since the very beginning, he found himself the Commander-in-Chief; at the same time, he the case was not punishable under criminal law. clashing with Ludvík Svoboda, commander of was sent to an R+R holiday. Even his request In addition, he became a victim of a witch-hunt during WWII. However, it was not always our troops in the Soviet Union. Still, he was suc- early in May 1945 to be dropped, together with media campaign led by Rudolf Slánský, Secre- cessfully building up and controlling Czechoslo- General Neumann, into the territory of the oc- tary General of the Communist Party of Czecho- that he held such a position. During his vak units throughout the war. cupied country to organize an uprising there in slovakia. The case was ultimately reopened by eventful life, he had experienced quite There were many telltale signs as early the last days of the war, did not help him. It went a ministerial commission, but even that failed as in the second half of 1944. In the spring of unnoticed. He was permitted to return to his to fi nd even a single piece of evidence of Ingr’s a few slings and unjust accusations. 1945, the Czechoslovak government was busily home country only in June 1945. guilt; it recommended that Ingr be promoted to the rank of Army General and assigned a posi- Ingr was born on September 2, 1894, to tion in the Czechoslovak diplomatic corps. a family of a small farmer and mayor of the vil- And this was what happened. In September lage of Vlkoš, off Kyjov, Moravian Slovakia, 1947, Army General Ingr was appointed the and was christened Jan, after his father. In ad- extraordinary ambassador and plenipotentiary dition to its own seven children, the Ingr family minister in the Netherlands. It was there that he was also raising Jan’s cousin, Anežka Čechová, received news of the takeover of power by Com- whose parents had died. While attending the munists in Czechoslovakia in February 1948. one-room school of Vlkoš, Jan ranked among Since that time, he was just waiting for a signal the brightest pupils and it was thus hardly sur- indicating that his second had also succeeded in prising he started studying at the eight-grade crossing the border to safety. He resigned to his grammar school in Kyjov. When he fi nished it position and left for London. in 1913, he was, according to his father’s plans, His economic situation in London was very to become a veterinarian, a profession offering diffi cult. Still, he was trying to help, both with a successful career in the agricultural region of his infl uence and fi nancially, our offi cers return- Moravian Slovakia. However, young Ingr want- ing to Britain as émigrés. At that time, most of the ed to improve his knowledge of German, and burden of providing for the family rested on the thus joined the army as a one-year volunteer. In shoulders of Ingr’s wife, who had resumed her mid-September of the next year, he fi nished the original profession of a pharmacist. While still in Reserve Offi cers’ School in Královo Pole in the London, General Ingr founded a preparatory com- rank of cadet-NCO. At that time, the world war mittee of the Free Czechoslovakia movement. had already been raging in full swing. Ingr was After moving to Paris in the spring of 1950, appointed a platoon leader and he and his regi- he established an intelligence centre known as ment were dispatched to the Russian front. He Renova, which had its own printing shop and suffered a leg wound during his very fi rst com- transmitter. His actions did not go unnoticed bat action. by the Communist Czechoslovakia. He was de- legionnaires, the Eastern Orthodox Church in around Doss Alto. In the course of the fi ghting, preparing for a move, via Moscow, to the liber- Third resistance moted, divested of all his decorations, as well as The legionnaire’s anabasis February 1917. He chose the baptismal name he advanced from the company commander ated territory. Before they took off, President However, there was no satisfaction waiting indicted of the criminal acts of plotting against Ingr was captured by the Russian off Rovno, Sergej. He was the leader of a reconnaissance to the battalion commander. Shortly before Edvard Beneš thanked the leading representa- for him even in Czechoslovakia. The Field At- the republic and high treason. Sergej Ingr died in September 1915. At that time, the recruit- platoon, an emissary responsible for recruit- Christmas 1918, Captain Ingr and his battalion tives of the resistance movement in exile in Lon- torney of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps took of a sudden cardiac arrest in Paris on June 17, ment of Czechoslovak legionnaires had been ment of volunteers in POW camps, and a com- returned home. Here Sergej Ingr and his bat- don, including General Ingr. over from the Attorney’s Offi ce of the Czecho- 1956. He was fully rehabilitated, returned his suspended, which was why he joined the 1st pany commander in the 2nd Czechoslovak talion participated in the taking of Bratislava However, he noted that the new political slovak Army in the West, which was already rank and decorations only after 1989. On the Serbian Volunteer Division. As a platoon lead- Regiment of Jiří of Poděbrady. He was one and later also of the Jablunkov Pass. During the situation would require new people and that being wound down at that time, documents of occasion of his 118th birthday, the urn with his er, he fought against Bulgarians on the Dobruja of just a few legionnaires who spent a stint in offensive of the Hungarian Army in May 1919, their position in the liberated motherland criminal proceedings against General Ingr in the remains was deposited in the cemetery in his front and was also involved in tough actions all Czechoslovak legions. After his time in the Ingr’s battalion led several successful counter- probably would not be what they, and he him- matter of alleged military treason. The criminal birthplace, Vlkoš, in the presence of Minister of during the retreat to the Danube. In December Serbian division and our legions in Russia, he attacks in the area around the middle section of self, would wish. He did not have to add any- complaint had been fi led by one Slavomír Brun- Defence of the Czech Republic Alexandr Vondra 1916, he was fi nally able to join the Czecho- was transferred to France where he held various the Hron River. thing else. er, a person of a dubious reputation, an offi cer and other prominent guests. slovak Legions’ “Hussite” Reserve Battalion in command positions in the 21st, 22nd and 23rd When these actions were over, Ingr stayed Early in April 1945, the new government of who had been demoted and discharged from the Borispol. He manifested his sympathies to the Rifl e Regiments. In August 1918, our troops in on. He completed his education at the War Col- Czech and Slovaks was established in Košice. army because of his addition to alcohol and un- by Vladimír Marek Russian nation and aversion to the Habsburgs Italy were short of offi cers, which was why Ingr lege in Prague and then held a number of both The Ministry of Defence was entrusted to becoming conduct. The whole affair was drag- Photographs by Central Military Archives – Military by joining, like many others among his fellow- was transferred to the 33rd Regiment operating command and staff positions. In 1934, he was General Ludvík Svoboda. On April 20, 1945, ging on and on, although there was no apparent Historical Archives and Olga Haladová 64 65 66