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Heroes from Mali 24 New Gripen display pilot awarded prominent prizes in international airshows

Successful in the From the beginning of 2017, the new Czech display ”I am honoured to represent both the Čáslav airbase and the pilot of the JAS-39 Gripen fighter is Captain Ivo Kardoš of the in international and domestic airshows,“ 211th home stationed at the 21st Tactical Air Force Captain Kardoš said after his certification Base Čáslav. For the first time, spectators could watch his in May earlier this year. He would not have piloting techniques in May earlier this year as part of the Čáslav thought then that he would climb, building on his mastery, to the highest notches in airbase day of open door. He made premiere appearances in airshows abroad in just two months. After the international airshows in Yeovilton and then RAF Fairford. all he has flying under his skin. He is an Captain Kardoš won the highest prizes in both events. experienced pilot, a graduate from the Faculty of Defence Technology in , who flew the L-39 machine, then piloted the contents

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Dark Shadow 2017 6

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L-159 light Clear victory Missiles and rockets over the Baltic sea 12 combat aircraft, “Already after the Saturday program, and again reached I had some signals from the jury that the Mentors from the Tigris 14 the highest goal as a certified Czech pilot with the Gripen was a hot MASCAL 18 display pilot. The Czech Air Force only candidate for the overall victory. Captain has one display pilot who is normally Kardoš proved his skills on Sunday and Kolja, but not the boy by Svěrák 20 designated for three years, particularly with won a valued award, well deserved for respect to safety and career opportunities his precision performance,“ Czech Air Tobruq Legacy 22 for other pilots to take that prestigious Force Commander Jaromír appointment. Not only does it place extra Šebesta commented. A part of the Czech Heroes from Mali 24 demands on piloting technique and skills Air Force display team is also a pair of the but also on pilots themselves and their Čáslav-based pilots of the L-159 Advanced Screener 2017 26 time management. Indeed, airshows Light Combat Aircraft. Their performance is are predominantly held on weekends, also very attractive for spectators, including NATO Tiger Meet 28 expanding the duties for display pilots. because of the pyrotechnical effects on the ground. Imitated air strikes on the ground Warrior 2017 30 Two airshows, two achievements targets demonstrate one of the primary Cooperative Security 2017 32 The Yeovilton Air Day took place at the missions of the 212th Tactical Squadron beginning of July in its 70th public edition. and the L-159 ALCA earmarked to provide Hospital at the edge of Kabul 34 More than 40,000 aviation fans had the air support to land formations. chance to see the Czech pilot’s skills in the The so-called Kabul Tree Frogs 36 air. And the jury acknowledged Captain International premiere Kardoš’s performance with a trophy for Also in England, a premiere appearance Intel Staff 38 the best air demonstration in the airplanes was made by the L-159 ALCA aircraft category. On the next weekend, the RAF with camouflage pattern originally used The Plumed Serpent enhanced station Fairford was the venue to the Royal on the legendary Spitfire fighter, piloted the coordiation of all units 40 International Air Tattoo, which is one of the during World War II by Lieutenant General largest airshows on the globe presenting František Peřina, the patron 212th Tactical ACR in 2016 42 200 aircraft in action to around 160,000 Squadron, nicknamed ”General of the spectators. The weather was not very much Sky“. The Royal Air Tattoo in Fairford also Konnichiwa, Ondras 46 in favour of the performing pilots, with their included various skill contests for the plans partly thwarted by the low cloud base participants. The representatives of the Men of steel 48 and weather. ”I had to opt for the demo ground specialist personnel proved their variant with lower flight levels and adjust to skills and manifested a high team spirit. the current weather situation,“ Captain Ivo ALCA guys from Čáslav also won the ”Spirit Kardoš explains. Despite complications, he of the Crew“ award. nevertheless eventually seized the award by CPT Tomáš Maruščák, Michal Voska for the best foreign display. photos by CPT Tomáš Zedník (21 TAFB), WO Milan Polách (21 TAFB), Jan Čadil Published by MoD Communication and Promotion Department Tychonova 1, 160 01 Praha 6, Czech Republic www.army.cz

Identification number: 60162694

Address: Rooseveltova 23, 161 05 Praha 6, Czech Republic Phone: +420 973 215 648, +420 973 215 786

Editor-in-chief: Vladimír Marek Layout: Milan Syrový

Translation: Jan Jindra, Jaroslav Furmánek Cover photo: Michal Voska

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Published in December 2017 2 A review 2/2017

We spoke to Lenka Šmerdová not only about personnel and gender policy Woman With a General Star This year's promotion to the general ranks at Prague Castle You entered the army in the mid-eighties was exceptional. This is mainly because the general star won of the last century, at that time women could study in the armed forces only in a woman, for the first time in the history of the Army of the the form of non-accredited courses. At Czech Republic. That is precisely why we asked Brigadier present, at the University of Defence, of General Lenka Šmerdová for this interview. the total number is 30 percent women. Was it possible during your service to track a significant transformation in the Army's attitude towards enlisted women? Certainly. Over the past thirty years, the chances for women, who were interested in serving in the army, were opened up. When I joined the army, women were required to have a high school certificate and only then they could attend a branch school, which included basic military training. Military colleges were opened for women only later. Even the range of positions they could serve was not as wide as it is now. These were mainly logistics, health service, office work and communications. Higher positions, such as the General Staff and other occupation specialties came only after the army went professional.

Do you think that gradual opening the army to women was the trend of the time, or that the door was opened by women already serving in the army, by their day-to-day work? Both of these factors probably influenced this. The original concept of the army as an organization employing only men gradually receded into the background. What was important was the fact that women in the army were successful. As a result, other opportunities were opened for them. It was actually a kind of snowball that packed more and more.

Do you recall a basic training at the beginning of your career? Was it the classical hard course that men-soldiers went through? The Signal Branch School in Prague, I graduated from, was exclusively female. Even in the positions of commanders of platoons and companies were women. We also underwent standard training, which in most cases was organized for us by men. A review 2/2017 3

How many troubles had the women with the task I carry out with my subordinates, and men have equal status in the army, and shooting or throwing a live grenade? colleagues, and superiors, because without it is up to them to take their chance. I think women are quite handy about them I would never achieve that success. these things. I'm not saying that we can However, sometimes, especially in terms manage these things for the first time, but Did you feel sorry that your promotion of combat posts, we hear some sort of we are trying our best to master them, so became more or less a political affair? underestimation on the part of men. Is that we should not fall behind the men. Who do not mind evil dispraisers this mainly due to the fact that the army Besides, with some female colleagues, or envious persons, but I enjoyed the is historically understood to be a purely I participated in a shooting competition atmosphere at Prague Castle. This noble act male affair? last year, organized by the wife of President was for us, newly appointed and promoted It is definitely given historically. The Zeman Ivana; it was our army team that generals, something extraordinary and armies, in the past, they were always won it. even something more, because we could a matter for men; they were going to wars stand there next to war veterans. It was and fighting the battles. Men are basically What things attract women most in the an unforgettable moment that would not warriors. Still, I think women have a place army? be repeated and push you further into the in the army. On the physical side, we never The stable employer, prestige of military next job. compare statistically to men, but on the profession, but also social security that the other hand, there are individual cases that army can offer them. There is also a chance Do you mind the pressure of your media show the opposite. Added to this, women to engage in non-traditional professions that you are currently exposed to? also have unquestionable advantages. that are not in civilian life. Also, a number I believe it will be a one-off matter and There are areas for which men simply have of women, no less than men, want to work I can handle it somehow. I hope that in no talent. And on this basis, we women in a diverse environment with people and a couple of days the interest will fall off could prove that we have a place in the with attractive equipment. Also wearing and I shall be able to devote myself to my modern army. a uniform can play a role because the work and study, which is very important for current military uniforms look good. In me today. Moreover, I regard all interviews The army was a taboo for centuries for short, the army is as appealing to women and performances as a chance to better women. But was it not a sign of a certain as to men today. present the needs of the army – i.e. to gentleman's behaviour on the part of promote recruitment and to say exactly men, to protect women from danger Maybe it's also because it's nice for what kind of soldiers we need. From my and warfare... women to work in a predominantly male previous experience, I know that publicity Of course. The fact is that the woman is environment, where they can get some in recruiting helps a lot. not only a wife, but also a mother of children gentleman's behaviour from their male and a protector of the family fireplace. If colleagues? Do people get used to addressing you: a woman did not play that role, men would Surely, this plays its role. Actually, male Ma´am General? It's something new, and not have to go back to war. They would lose collectives really integrate women better. we cannot even say it yet... their background. If a woman is engaged The reason may be that they are softening It's hard to get used to it. Some people in the same activities as men, it may be and cultivating a bit. Most men, after the have already even said to me the Mrs. more difficult for them. There is a need for arrival of a woman, reduce their roughness General. I think it's unusual for everyone. some agreement on the of tasks. and try to avoid some not very cultivated Americans have it easier, as they say all Mutual understanding and tolerance are terms. The collective of this kind is then far ranks in English only in a male gender. essential. But even that is possible. We have more balanced. But with us, we should use the address of a lot of well-functioning military marriages Ma´am General. Perhaps we will get used with children. Wives are leaving for foreign Your promotion to the rank of general to this for time. missions, and yet families live a happy life. has met with two responses. One group agreed that it was gender-friendly and Why do you think people have been From the position of the director of Army that, with regard to 13% representation paying such attention to gender politics Recruitment you have been appointed of women in the army, even other in recent years? to the post of an Aide to the Chief of the women would be promoted to the rank In the past, women in the army did not General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. of general. However, some members of always have an equal position. During my Are you sorry that it will take you a little the Parliament were not too excited, career, I also met with commanders who bit away from the everyday practical so they argued that you did not meet did not fully respect me at first. One of them personnel management? the statutory conditions and that immediately told me at the beginning that No, I am not. In addition to having a new your appointment would damage you he did not want a woman to do this job. But office at the General Staff, I also keep my professionally in the future. How did he gave me a chance, and it was only up current office. I'm an Aide to the Chief of you see these reactions? to me to convince him of my qualities. At the General Staff for human resources. So I can hardly comment on the views of the end, they were just those commanders I will not directly control the personnel MPs. That would be a question for them. But whom I love to remember and from which management from this position, but I will I do not think that promotion would hinder I learned so much. Fortunately, the time be able to influence all matters. I will my career development. On the contrary. of underestimation of women took place definitely strive to help in the field of human Personally, I believe that the time has come long ago. And this is the result of a certain resources management, but not only there. for women to be in Command of the Army. emancipation policy, which we have I appreciate it immensely. The general star recently called gender policy. Women are Does this mean that you will be influencing is a great challenge to me. I am convinced increasingly demonstrating that they can the conceptual issues concerning human that from this position I will be able to manage and in many cases perform tasks resources? help even more personnel management as well as men. And therefore they are also Certainly. And that's probably the most in the army, and not only there. I also take assigned to higher and command positions. important area. Moreover, by keeping this the promotion to the general rank as an I am convinced that in our army there are no office, I certainly shall not leave the centre expression of seriousness and support for gender problems. On the contrary, women of all events or the recruitment work. All the 4 A review 2/2017 necessary information will be practically We're probably approaching to something in a few years, also enlistment centres immediately available for me. similar. But this does not mean that there came into being. Those early times were are not the opposite examples. In the very pioneering, even we did not have There are certainly some staff and course of basic training, I also saw women enough equipment. At first, people administrative positions that are clearly who helped men to handle certain tasks. perceived us as leaflet distributors because suitable for women, but is it really There is a new motivation in such mixed the military itself did not know how to possible to put women into the full teams. Men simply say to themselves that if work properly with human resources. It range of posts in the army? a woman can handle it, she has to deal with was a period when professional armed Men and women are physically different. it too, and it actually encourages them to forces gradually emerged. At that time, Women are simply more suitable for some achieve better results. there was quite a lot of interest in serving jobs, for some less. This does not exclude in the forces, so we recruited really a lot exceptions. If a woman is a personality Most of your career is in the human of newly-enlisted servicemen. Then, as and wants to go to the front line, she will resources area. How difficult is it to a result of the economic depression, there probably manage it. This is confirmed by recruit quality human resources for the was a significant drop in recruitment. the fact that we have female fighters. army? Around 2010, recruiting almost ceased. Although it does not look like this, it We only recruited candidates interested Members of some combat troops are is a very challenging task. It is the day- in studying military schools and just a few arguing that the presence of a woman to-day work of recruiters among people, specialists. Well, about three years ago, may, under certain circumstances, break outside the military. They have to explain the recruitment boom recovered. It was a deployed team up, e.g. in the case of things, inform aspirants, tell them what is decided that the army would achieve a woman's injury, men tend to try to waiting for them, what requirements they higher operational capabilities, and for that save her and stop fighting… have to meet, etc. Each of the recruiters has purpose the personnel is needed. For the Such cases may actually occur. But it is to attract people first and then keep their last two years, we've been recruiting two because of the way we still see women in interest on. The process of enlisting the thousand candidates a year, before that Central Europe. Men still have a certain army for those candidates is not simple and it had been fifteen hundred. In 2013, the gentleman's behaviour with a woman. requires some time. recruitment process was centralized, the And it is precisely an aspect that might recruitment centres and their offices were be manifested itself in the form of some It is said that human resources represent restored. There was an increase in number protection in a purely combat situation. the most important thing the army has. of recruiting departments in military This begs the question, how will you react It's far more important than weapons, hospitals, there were major changes in when your best friend will be shot in the technology, or training facilities... the process of enlisting military personnel. battle, next to you? Actually, that's not just a phrase, it's The positons of recruiters were gradually reality. If we do not have good and well- occupied by experienced servicemen who In , for example, I saw the trained soldiers, the vehicles will stand went through years of training, dozens of situation that our soldier was trying to somewhere in the car pools. Investing in courses and, in many cases, deployments help a female US Army member, bearing military personnel is essential. When the in foreign missions or posts. They could a heavy burden, she felt offended. Is recruits become well-prepared soldiers, the pass their experiences and knowledge on that what you mean? investment will pay off many times later. It to potential candidates. And in fact it has Yes, that's exactly it. At Vyškov, I had the is therefore necessary to pay attention to proved to be the most effective. opportunity to see American officers who the care of people. stood and smoked, while female NCOs What do candidates prefer, what were dragging heavy cables around them. You have you been serving over thirty benefits can you offer them, what is the I do not know if something like that was years, what developments or stages in most attractive for them in the army? possible in our country. Our men would the field you work have you experienced For a longer time, the Czech Army has not be able to look at it, they would start in this relatively long period? the image as a reliable, responsible and, to help them. But in many armies, it's For the last seventeen years I've been above all, an attractive employer. People perfectly normal. There they do not make working in recruiting. I assisted in setting up joint the army because they want to change any difference between sexes. Even in the a personal marketing centre. Consequently, their lives fundamentally. Another group case of physically demanding activities. recruitment centres were established and, is attracted by social security, by chances of further professional and also language education, both at home and abroad. A number of men are particularly attracted by the work with modern equipment the army operates. An important role is played by the opportunity for sports and improving physical fitness. Moreover, life in the army is not monotonous.

Do you adapt the methods of work of personnel managers to today´s multifaceted recruitment, is it ever possible to think up something new in this area? On the labour market, of course, we are not alone. Along with us, besides many civilian subjects, there are also other armed forces. We all are interested in the same individual. A young, healthy, educated person, who is A review 2/2017 5

willing to adapt himself to given conditions to register potential candidates for service something new which takes place. In the and who is well flexible. The army must be in the army. They can register directly early 2017, the Defence Minister approved therefore seen and heard. We are currently from a comfortable home. The initial an order to determine placings of soldiers running a campaign on several radio communication takes place on the Internet by ranks. This order is currently undergoing stations, we operate on the Internet, where and by phone, which is very comfortable in a trial period, it is applied to the ranks of we have a banner campaign. We published today's busy times. Sergeant First Class and Captain. Starting in in the regional press. We are also preparing 2018, a special training for newly-enlisted recruiting activities in civilian environments, How difficult is it to construct basic servicemen will be introduced after such as the Army Day at Flora, IDET, NATO recruitment slogans that would trigger graduating from a basic course, so that they Days, and a number of smaller events in an initial contact? would be ready to perform their functions, individual army units, such as Open Days. We devote a considerable space to this immediately they join the assigned unit. An We go to labour markets, school job offers area. This is a very assertive affair. We have amendment to the Defence Minister's order and attend a variety of sporting events. a very clever web editor who has joined on language education is being prepared, Recruiting is fieldwork. us from the civilian sector. We also follow the aim of which is above all to increase the trends outside the defence department. effectiveness of language courses in the Does your focus change, for example, And, of course, we also study our target defence department. And so we could go with the development of social group and focus on things that might on and on. networks? attract them. When we come up with Certainly. Social networks are an something new, it's such a fountain of Is there a medium-term or even long- increasingly important phenomenon for us. ideas. We propose more and more catchy term outlook on the human resources For three years, we've been working online slogans, and then we look at them, trying market and how successful should the to decide, which of them might be the most army be in this market? successful. Our immediate task is to recruit two factsheet thousand new candidates each year. Of Lenka Šmerdová was born on May 20, 1964, Do you have a chance to test somehow this planned amount, there are about at Slavičín. After graduating from the Military your proposals in a representative three hundred and fifty posts assigned Branch School Bohnice, she started her military cluster, before releasing them? to the University of Defence and the career as assistant to the Chief of Personnel of No, we do not have such opportunity. Military Department of Faculty of Physical the . Later she worked as a School That´s why this work is still more and more Education and Sport of Charles University. Unit Officer. After 2000, she went through the demanding for people, who are engaged in In any case, the demographic curve is not posts of Chief of Personnel, Personnel Marketing this creative process. We often discuss the too favourable for us, so we suppose facing Centre Specialist, Deputy Chief and Chief of final product not only with a wide range difficult years. Now it's a bit noticeable, Recruitment and Enlisting. She also worked in of our colleagues, but also with family unemployment rate in the republic reaches the personnel field. Specifically, she was Director members, etc. the historical minimum. So we will have to of the Recruitment Department, Director and look for new methods and procedures how Chief of the Military Personnel Branch. Since What are the most important tasks to establish contact and get the needed April this year she has been an Aide to the Chief in front of you in the area of human candidates. In this respect, the army must of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. resources in the near future? not be late. I suppose it will have to come Lenka Šmerdová is married, she has son Matěj. This is above all the fulfilment of up with new incentives, not just financial She is interested in travelling, theatre and the recruitment target for this year. In ones. literature. personnel management, there is always Text and photos by Vladimír Marek 6 A review 2/2017

This year, the largest exercise in the history of Czech Special Forces, Dark Shadow 2017, took place For The First Time Even the Support Centre

The vehicle with the rebels halted on a forest road that was blocked Two parts by a bar. The co-driver beside the driver was not even able to get out Dark Shadow exercise was of a cohesion character, they trained together in all parts of the car to remove the barrier, when a group of soldiers ran out of of Special Forces. In fact, similar events have hiding. The militants were pacified without a single shot and taken been organized since 2012. But in the past, to the woods. they had never such an extent. This time, a total of 250 members of the Special Forces participated in the training. Last year, for the A form of a trap in order to obtain (information operations) and PSYOPS first time, even soldiers of the newly formed intelligence from the captives had one of (psychological operations). The exercise was Special Forces Support Centre joined the the episodes of the largest special tactical attended by members of the 601st Special exercise. Special troops did not fight next exercise of the Czech Special Forces called Forces Group, including the Active Reserve, to the ordinary army, but they trained Dark Shadow 2017. Its intent was to prepare Special Forces Support Centre, Special responses against threats that are commonly and deploy a unit, consisting of ground and Operations Air Detachment and the 103rd referred to as hybrids. They had to face the air detachments of Special Forces, reinforced CIMIC-PSYOPS Centre at . former members of the army, police, Special by combat support, together with INFOOPS Forces, and intelligence services, organized in rebel organizations. "The exercise was divided into two parts. The first part focused on cohesion training. During the exercise, individual units were trained either individually or together with the other. The other half was organized for meeting joint combat tasks. At this time, planning is already in progress and in the coming days they will deploy detachments, which consist of already mentioned units involved in exercise. The character of a fulfilled task will become crucial for their particular choice. The result will be a greater

factsheet The Directorate of Special Forces of the Defence Ministry (SFD MoD) is directly subordinated to the organizational authority of the Chief of the General Staff ACR for the command and control of the Special Forces of the ACR (SF ACR). The Special Forces are an independent forces’ branch which provides for the Czech Republic a highly flexible and effective strategic tool for securing its defence and security. They are able to perform a wide range of special operations, such as special reconnaissance, offensive activities, support and influence, in all geographic and climatic conditions. A review 2/2017 7

factsheet the unit approached the Support Centre members during the vehicle, threat was escalated and exercise practiced supportive roles. 601st Special Forces Group so they established communication with the Nevertheless such was also the assignment The 601st Special Forces Group (601 SFG) is opponent. Persons were detained, vehicle of their unit. "It was primarily information, a unit directly subordinated to the director cleaned and subsequently inspected. psychological, and combat support for the of the Special Forces Directorate, MoD. It is The purpose of this action is to obtain operators of the 601st Special Forces Group. a sole unit of its kind with us and therefore some important materiels, means of This includes, for example, organizing fire it provides the one and only abilities for communication, documentation, but support and backing other tactical activities. the Highest Command within the Army of especially to capture people. An integral part Our goal is to hold such capacities that 601 the Czech Republic. 601st SFG is stationed of training, mainly in the units that only start SFG does not have at its disposal. It is for at Prostějov and its commander is Colonel with a given topic, is the observance of the example heavy firing support by indirect David Franta. standard operating procedures. Everything fire," says deputy commander of the Special begins with a theoretical briefing, and then Forces Support Centre. "Whereas in the degree of cohesion between individual they are discussing the whole action. During garrison we carry out the routine training components of special forces, as well as the briefing, soldiers specify their positions tasks, here we harmonize ourselves directly the identification of deficiencies in training and partial tasks of the individual members with the 601st group and other elements and equipment," emphasized Colonel David of the assault detachment. In the next phase, that are integrated into the task force. Most Franta, commander of the 601st Special the units are training alone. Everything of all we are focused on interoperability." Forces Group. culminates in a scenario with a model The Special Forces Support Centre is still situation. At this stage, every member of the in being. Entrance procedures are under One of the offensive activities assault team should know exactly what he is way. This year, four selections were held. "It's "It is therefore one of the forms of responsible for. very similar to 601 SFG. For the entrance offensive activity, one of the forms of three tests, we arranged a week during which basic roles of Special Forces. We are training Supporting role we focus on testing physical fitness and an attack on a vehicle, the aim of which is "My prevailing experience with the psychological resistance. We are successful to take prisoners, or live persons, which we members of Special Forces Support Centre with the recruitment of new soldiers. The then interrogate to gain information," says is good, their readiness is high. I appreciate, training begins immediately after they are commander of the 601st Special Forces above all, the level of commitment and incorporated into the unit," the deputy Group about the scene we had a chance strong motivation, which is very important company commander of the Support Centre to see a while ago. "The unit in a hide for this activity," says the company underscores. position stopped the vehicle quietly. As commander, 601st Special Forces Group. 8 A review 2/2017

Air Detachment even repaired factsheet Dark Shadow exercise took place The Special Forces Support Centre (SFSC) is the youngest unit of our special forces. It was simultaneously in several training areas of created on 1 July 2016, as part of activities that responded to newly emerging security threats. our army. We found the Special Operations The SFSC's mission is to support 601 SFG in conducting special operations and also to operate Air Detachment at Prostějov airport. There in the field of information and psychological operations within the Special Forces task force. In they brought with them a mobile repair the case of combat support, there is a wide range of fire and other tactical means to support the workshop, as unfortunately they had to special forces in various doings, with a focus on offensive activity. The Special Forces Support use hangar facilities at Prostějov airport, Centre is based at Olomouc. because a real mobile repair station is still missing. So, even repairs in field conditions became part of the exercise. There were done all compulsory works. The detachment has seven modernized Mi-171S landing. An actual deployment is decided on to increasing the professional level of our equipped with Minigun rotary by tactical commanders, because they plan personnel." guns. Their equipment includes the so-called the concrete operation. And this is done fast ropes, which allow carry out a landing according to the nature of terrain and given They decide on the lives of their in a very short time. Air personnel of this tasks," said the commander of this air force team-mates unit belong among the most highly trained. unit. "Exercises with Special Forces differ One of the episodes of the exercise People, who are selected for this unit, had from other classes, namely because the was focused on medical preparation. In a lot of experience and moral credit. All this operations are planned here to the smallest its centre was a mannequin that not only was made possible by performing tasks of details. All possible situations that might breathed, but the material used very special operations. occur are assessed. They must be perfectly credibly simulated human skin, muscle mass “Our mission here is the transport and prepared for them. Both on the ground, and bones. A red bloodlike fluid was spitting disposition of special forces into the area of or in the air. When a practiced action is as from its wounds. The pupils responded to combat activity, as well as their extraction. close as possible to reality, which is the rule the light, they were opening and stretching. We are ready for all known variants of troops here, it makes a significant contribution "It is one of the latest US products done with A review 2/2017 9

cooperation with Hollywood make-up men, this element is being implemented in the who were also involved in this project. This planning process, as well as in the process PFC dummy is designed for extended field of carrying out the tasks, “Colonel Franta care. Therefore it is possible to intubate it, points out. catheterize, do chest drainage and chest "Our role is to support the activities of decompression, etc. Thanks to the figurine Special Forces by means of psychological we can train not only our Active Reserves and information operations. It consists in for a situation that can occur at any time in the influencing of approved target groups. the fight. With the help of a tourniquet they In the area of our deployment there is have to stop bleeding from the wounds of a quite visible propaganda of the opponent. their hurt team-mate. It is a primary and We need to analyse it and implement most important key medical activity on the respective countermeasures. In the area of battlefield," explains a member of the field responsibility we also monitor the moods of aid station of Special Forces. After that, the the population. On the base of it, we provide wounded person has to be transported as information to combat units that already quickly as possible to a safe place. Special meet specific situations at their deployment troops pay a lot of attention to a medical sites," explains the officer-analyst of the preparation, because they know that this Information and Psychological Operations decides on the lives of their comrades. Centre. "Our activities include various "Our medical personnel are trained to procedures. If opponent's propaganda is a significantly higher level than civilian based on misleading information, then female nurses. We are trained and ready we try to refute them. Besides, in the to carry out certain medical interventions information environment we support both that are usually reserved exclusively to NATO units and local armed forces." doctors. We have such smart equipment In practice, we do this it in this way. From that enable us to keep the wounded soldier our own ranks we pick up persons simulating alive for tens of hours. This capability is an opponent. Subsequently they play the crucial to us. As we are often deployed in classic propaganda against us, through an area dominated by an opponent, where various media. The members of the centre the doctor is not available. Each of us has strive to respond to them. At the end, the several occupation specialties. But we must exercise manager evaluates the issue and be also full fighters," adds another medic. takes appropriate provisions. Active Reserves of the 601st Special "One of the important principles of Forces Group go out for training exercises psychological operations is timeliness. Who three times, four times a year. From other first responds to a situation, he will gain units of Active Reserves, they differ in the a significant advantage. That's why we try to first place by the fact that they have to meet observe all happenings, not only in the area factsheet significantly harder standards of physical of the operation. We monitor everything. The Air Detachment (LOSO), also known fitness. In addition to that, the tests are Above all, so that we would be able to make in English transcription as SOATU (Special repeated every year. "We meet the same use of our dominance," the analyst adds. Operations Air Task Unit) is currently requirements as professional soldiers. We "People constantly communicate. Whether being built as a capability concentrated, cooperate with them in combat tasks. It verbally, or nonverbally. With every attitude, as to personnel and aviation equipment does not matter whether the task is fulfilled by deployments of weapons, and so on. And is concerned, with the 222nd Helicopter by us or by the Profs. Every joint exercise from this information point we try to explain Squadron, 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base, Air is another lesson for us. As everything is to all units that any of their activities contain Force ACR. The lack of Air Force capabilities constantly evolving, so we always learn new some intelligence and this fact is necessary to sustain special forces was a conclusion and new things. We always get a mentor to bear in mind, all the time, during the resulted from an assessment of its operational who oversees us and also advise us planning of operations." deployments and NATO forces development. immediately," says one of the reservists, the The Special Forces have their permanent This led to the decision by the Chief of the leader of a special recce group. representative in the International Staff, NSHQ General Staff of the ACR to build an air (NATO Special Operations Headquarters). support element. In close cooperation with the Permanent communication This enables the SFD MoD to share up- American partner, its training by stages was The exercise does not only take place to-date information, to participate in the started, part of which was LOSO certification in the field but also in the mass media. planning and management of coalition 2015 within a Task Force formation of the “The adversary unleashed disinformation operations of NATO Special Forces, as well Special Forces of the ACR, detached for NRF campaigns, slander our political leaders, cast as in the system of schooling, courses and 2016. With its arrangement and readiness, doubt upon the deployment of NATO units. tutoring. At the lead of the Special Forces the LOSO is able to support special forces in And so we have to respond. In the past, Directorate there is Colonel Pavel Kolář. air operations both by conventional and also we dealt with these tasks in cooperation by unconventional means. The air personnel with the 103rd CIMIC/PSYOPS Centre. This by Vladimír Marek, photos: Special Forces concurrently undergo rigorous training under year, this capability began to be built in the NATO-SOF standards. Special Forces Support Centre. Nowadays 10 A review 2/2017

The Field Surgical Team Was Rescuing a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy

Walking Blood Bank It was not even a week after the registration action of voluntary blood donors took place in a Field Hospital at Al Asad base, where the Czech Field Surgery Team Iraq (FST) operated. These registered donors should be called to give blood in case of need, if stocks of blood storage containers were down, because blood substitutes may be stored only in a certain amount and for a limited time.

This system is called the Walking Blood be only a minimal delay in case of his Bank. The "walking blood bank" is usually activation. Then these donors are included activated when blood supplies are running in the registry and instructed how to out or a patient needs more than ten behave in case they will be activated. And blood derivatives. Moreover, in the field this activation of voluntary donors took only blood plasma and red blood cells are place only a week after their registration on available, without the chance to administer the list of walking blood banks. blood platelets (they are also indispensable during a large loss of blood and it is Massive loss of blood necessary to substitute them). When That fateful day they brought a thirteen- registering voluntary donors, a detailed year-old Iraqi boy, with a shot wound in laboratory examination is required for the area of the left leg's thigh. The boy each potential donor, so that there would was brought in an unstable state, after A review 2/2017 11

factsheet The Czech Field Surgery Team operated on the western tip of the Inherent Resolve operation from December last year to June this year. The team was integrated with an American Field Hospital of ROLE 2 level. Since it was a one-off deployment of the FST Iraq, without prior and subsequent rotation, first it was necessary to set up all functional mechanisms of cooperation both with American medical staff at the professional level and with their operational logistics that supported our Field Surgical Team at its deployment site. During its deployment, the team performed 49 operations in total and local anaesthesia, of which 44 were acute and 5 planned surgeries. 53 patients were treated and the team successfully participated in several mass casualties intakes (MASCAL).

a significant blood loss. After the initial loudspeakers that are deployed all over the in the hospital all the bustle and rush medical examination it was clear that one base to sound the alarm, this time served spontaneously calmed down, and field of the major arteries was affected, as the to summon registered donors. Throughout hospital staff could witness this touching wound bled heavily. The X-ray showed the base, an announcement of the search scene. In the field, no more could be that the femur is also fragmented. The boy for volunteers with the A Rh+ blood group done to save the boy. After that it was immediately received the first transfusion was forwarded. The announcements were necessary to quickly transport the patient of blood substitutes and plasma and moderate in a military way, but they all felt to a "stone" hospital, with the appropriate was transferred to the operating theatre, the urgent need of this life-saving liquid to equipment. The patient was given to Iraqi where a hard operation began. First, it was save a life. It was nearly unbelievable that military personnel who arranged MEDEVAC necessary to replace part of the missing the first of the donors came to the hospital to Baghdad for him. Unfortunately, not all blood vessel with a substitute formed within one minute after the announcement stories in life end with a happy end. The from a vein from the right lower limb. This of activation the Walking Blood Bank. following day, we learned that despite all procedure is in itself surgically and time- Everything was already ready for blood the effort, the boy died a few hours after consuming, especially when it is a child collection, the first donor was already the transport… patient. Then it was necessary to operate sitting in a chair, and his blood was flowing the fractured femur. After surgery, the boy into a blood container when a second by Michal Voska-FST, photos: FST archives was moved to the ICU (intensive care unit) donor came in, followed by another donor and his condition was carefully monitored. and another... This demanding operation, lasting for several hours, was too much for the child's The maximum was done body, especially when the boy was already The blood that was weakened by massive blood loss and long collected from the first two transport before the operation began. The volunteers was immediately boys' condition, unfortunately, worsened given to the wounded boy. and was significantly unstable. Therefore, it Perhaps the greatest reward was decided to activate the Walking Blood and thanks to donors was Bank. that they could see with their own eyes how their blood Substantial help flowed into the bloodstream Fresh blood has a major advantage over of a small patient. Although frozen blood in containers, as it significantly they all were US Marine improves blood clotting in a traumatized members, who are some of patient, because it contains all ingredients the hardest soldiers in the US fresh, undamaged by storage and separation Armed Forces, their emotion of ingredients and their preservation. In and sentiment were felt on addition, it contains the aforementioned their faces when their blood blood platelets, which cannot be stored helped the wounded child. and separated in field conditions. The It was the moment when 12 A review 2/2017

Servicemembers of the 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment took part in the tactical exercise in Ustka Training Range in Missiles and Rockets over the Baltic Sea A hundred members of the Army of the CR participated from At the next workplace, the missile 29th May to 3rd June in the tactical exercise BALT 2017; one container was filled with compressed air at a working pressure of 27 MPa, which served of the most important this year exercises of the Air Force of to drive wings, rudders and turbogenerator. Army the CR, in the Training Range at Ustka, Poland. The core The autodestruction device was mounted of exercise participants was made up of soldiers from the at a specialized site. Its task was to detonate 251st Air Defence Missile Battalion Strakonice, completed by a missile charge, in case a missile missed the target. After re-measuring and checking their fellow soldiers from other troops of the Strakonice unit important parameters, the technicians and members of other military units and facilities of the Czech attached a safety and initiation mechanism Army. The tactical exercise culminated on Friday, June 2, by to a radio fuse and closed the lids. The hermetization of the missile was restored a live fire exercise of the air defence missile system. after closing the access holes. After that, the missile was placed on a container and "Tactical exercise BALT 2017 was carried the afternoon. They immediately began to transported to the loading area. out in order to review the versatility of prepare missiles. For the transport of nearly thirty pieces of the Czech Army personnel for performing equipment, the soldiers used railway. In this tasks within the Czech National Extended Preparation of missiles case, there was also an escort consisting Air Defence System, protecting and Specialized activities were performed by of the Military Police personnel and defending the territorial integrity of the members of the Polish technical battery members of the Strakonice unit. The rest Czech Republic," said Brigadier General in cooperation with Czech soldiers. All of the soldiers were transported to Poland Petr Hromek, Deputy Commander of the missiles gradually passed through several by air. On Monday, May 29, all exercise Czech Air Force, who was at the same time workplaces of the technology line. First, participants were already on site. So, the even an officer conducting the exercise. each piece was to be unloaded from the first day of the exercise was characterized The soldiers were transported in the container, put on a mounting trolley, and mainly by unloading equipment from north of Poland gradually in three ways then they had to move it to an assembly wagons and the inspection of grounds – by road, rail and air. Those who came workplace. Here the Polish technicians designated for training. The following day, to Ustka training range first were soldiers attached wings to a missile, added the soldiers with the equipment moved responsible for transporting and preparing stabilizers; opened mounting holes and onto a firing position where the unit was twelve pieces of 3M9M3E missiles. carried out other necessary operations. deployed, the signal communications were Ammunition was transported by road. Then a missile's on-board inspection established, launching devices orientated. The route ran from the Czech Republic, followed. During inspection technicians for Then the fire control drills started. through the German territory, to the north example tested the ability of the missile to of Poland. The Military Police of respective lock on a target, they verified functionality Cooperation with the Air Force states oversaw the transfer of cargo. The of turbogenerator or radio fuse and Exercise BALT 2017 was preceded by troops arrived at Ustka after less than automatic pilot. the intense preparation of soldiers lasting seven hours on Wednesday, 24th May, in several months. The preparation took place A review 2/2017 13 both in the home unit at Strakonice and at was attached to the Polish fighter the air base in Čáslav. The Strakonice soldiers Su-22. "For the operators of a control and used intensive aviation effort to improve homing SURN CZ , it was particularly the interception and fictitious elimination challenging to see the launch of the target of enemy air targets. The collaboration with from an airplane carrier, specifically the Su- the Čáslav pilots continued even during the 22 aircraft, and then to go over to tracking exercise in Poland. (locking) the target. They had only a short The supersonic JAS-39 Gripen, 211th time for it – from about two to six seconds," tactical squadron Čáslav, flew to the Baltic said Lieutenant Colonel Vlastimil Hujer, coast to simulate an airborne enemy during commander of 251st Air Defence Missile preparatory firings. They served not only as Battalion. a preparation for the live fire exercise, but also for Polish security officers, supervising A young female pilot flew against rockets this LIVEX training, who were to verify the During fire exercises they always keep soldiers' abilities. strict security measures. Soldiers start firing only when the aircraft leaves the defined D-Day area. Nevertheless, you may meditate The live fire exercise from the 2K12 KUB whether the pilot is afraid when flying air defence missile system took place on against rockets. "I'm not afraid of it. It's one Friday, June 2. Fire controller Colonel Ján of the missions I'm doing. It belongs to my Sedliačik announced the G-120 signal work," said Lieutenant Barbara Buczyńska, two hours before LIVEX started. On this who piloted one of the Su-22 aircraft from command the soldiers loaded their missile which targets were launched. launchers. They assumed the combat Already as a little girl she chose the formation and orientated equipment. On service with the Air Force. "I wanted it from the G-60 signal, the soldiers activated the my childhood. I'm glad I did it and fulfilled equipment, checked their functionality, my dream," said the young female soldier. and verified that all missiles were ready for The work of pilot she described as most action. Half an hour before firing, the area interesting in all directions. "Otherwise of a firing range was closed, links to the I would not care," she added. She had been components of Integrated Rescue System seated in the cockpit for five years. "I want were checked. to fly as long as I can," a Polish female pilot Fifteen minutes before firing, the fire told about her plans. controller announced the G-15 control signal. The individual components of Professional peak the 2K12 KUB system went into standby The live fire can be seen asa sort of positions for firing. The soldiers armed the imaginary professional peak. Although missiles and activated security devices that soldiers undergo ordinary drill and ensured that firing wouldn´t not take place continuously improve their skills in outside a specified sector. For the last five the interception of aerial targets, the minutes, the G-5 signal indicated that the engagement in LIVEX training is an equipment were already ready for combat irreplaceable experience that every soldier activities. The Polish aircraft Su-22 carrying should optimally get through. "The live fire a target that the soldiers watched, flew into exercise not only tested the professional the space area of the shooting range. knowledge of soldiers, but also deepened The fire unit received from the RACCOS their practical experience with the control fire control post an order: "Intercept the of the air defence missile system 2K12 KUB," target!". The operator of a control and said Colonel Ján Sedliačik, commander of homing radar tracked the Su-22 and waited the 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment. for launching the target. "Target locked," he The live fire exercise was a culmination of said a moment later. Then everything went this tactical exercise BALT 2017. During on quickly. After receiving the command, this, several times was showed how the radar commander said: "The number important was the cooperation with other one, fire!" And pressed the button to components, whether it was air force, navy transmit a command to the launcher. The or the administration of military training first missile was launched. "The number two, space. Technical experts also played a major fire!" and the second missile set off from part in the preparation and course of this the launcher. A moment later the operator live fire exercise. "The excellent evaluation assessed the firing: "Target eliminated, two we have achieved in LIVEX training is proof used." During the two flight windows the of the professional qualities of our soldiers soldiers successively fired twelve 3M9M3E and good teamwork," concluded Colonel missiles that destroyed all targets. Sedliačik.

They shot on an air rocket by Captain Jana Samcová, photos by Jan Kouba In the course of live fire exercise, the soldiers aimed at a target marked SRCP-WR. It is a modified air rocket, two and a half metres long and weighing about 80 kilograms. It 14 A review 2/2017

The Czech Armed Forces 3rd Air Advisory Team assisted the at Balad airfield Mentors from the Tigris It is seven a.m. The concrete surface of the Bagdad airfield could already serve for frying poached eggs sunny side up. The thermometer shows forty degrees Celsius in shade. The whole Iraq was affected by extreme scorchers in June. We are receiving a briefing before the final stage of our journey. It will take roughly twenty minutes to travel seventy kilometres to the Balad airfield. We are recommended to take along as much as we can for the contingency of emergency landing.

Thankfully nothing like that happened. Air Force ground and flight personnel on headquarters in Bagdad. The AAT divides The Iraqi Air Force Russian-made Antonov L-159 ALCA aircraft. Iraq bought 15 surplus into three teams. First, it is the mentoring airplane is touching down on the runway. machines from the Czech Armed Forces. team that comprises experts in sharing He we are in Balad, the station to the The Iraqi technicians and pilots underwent experience with pilots and ground Czech Armed Forces 3rd Air Advisory type training in the past both in the technical personnel. The second team is Team that has deployed here for training centre and at the responsible for supporting the advisory Operation Inherent Resolve for Čáslav airbase. team. That involves the logistics, budfin almost three months. The team and food, as well as maintenance of deployment comprising 31 communication systems. The third team personnel has been formed provides security to the whole AAT as primarily of the members of Three teams well as individuals mentoring the Iraqi Air the 21st Tactical Air Force “Majority of people Force,“ the AAT commanding officer Major Base Čáslav. They were in our unit perform Denis Dúbravčík elaborates. ”Our primary complemented with their mission here mission is naturally to provide mentoring servicemembers from at Balad airbase. We to the Iraqi Air Force operating the L-159 additional nine military have one liaison ALCA aircraft the Czech Air Force has a long units and components. officer posted track record of experience. We seek The AAT primary mission in the coalition to assist a successful integration is to provide advisory and of the aircraft system mentoring activities for into the Iraqi Air Force operational training of Iraqi and particularly assist on their successful combat engagement against the so-called Islamic State.“ A review 2/2017 15

The very mentoring divides into two teams. The first comprises pilots who attend the No. of the Iraqi Air Force on daily basis and prepare its members for flights. Then they assess possible nuances or problems. They come together and discuss how to redress them for future flights to be safer. Mentoring of technical personnel is done either in the form of lectures and academic trainings or directly in preparation of the aircraft. “Our technicians oversee aircraft preparation, help the most effective servicing of the machine on the flight line. There are future plans to expand the contingent with mentoring on troubleshooting,“ Major Dúbravčík elaborates.

The camp reminds of Yugo clubs The huge Iraqi airbase at Balad enjoyed its halcyon days back in 1970s. It was constructed then for the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein by Yugoslavian builders. It is obvious at the first sight even after all those years. The tower and some other structures very much resemble so-called yugo clubs that were built in Czechoslovak military airfields at that time. There are two parallel runways almost four kilometres long there. The airbase used to have own athletic stadium, fifty meter outdoor and twenty-five meter indoor pool, own waterworks and even a theatre. Today, everything is in ruins. What the war did not destroy, vandals took out. English inscriptions designating places for grilling, sun-bathing and the shape of swimwear show that everything had probably been still functional by 2008, when Americans left Iraq. Otherwise the airbase resembles a fort. The whole twenty-seven kilometre perimeter is protected by fence five meters in height and fifty-five watchtowers. Further, the external perimeter comprises a mounded rampart and then a ditch fed by water from the Tigris river. In addition, 16 A review 2/2017

maintenance, as they already housed the U.S. military in the local base. In addition, there is a cookhouse with dining facility, day room and fitness room. The deployment has own medic who tackles potential diseases and injuries. In more serious cases, the medic sends patients into the local ROLE 2 medical facility, or possibly into a U.S. ROLE 3 facility in Bagdad. The patients with toothaches also have to travel to Baghdad. Moreover, stomatology is one of the most expensive medical disciplines. The Czech camp has one more name, a name of honour. In honour of their colleague Ondřej Sovina, an airman of the 212th Squadron, who died in an accident when piloting L-159 four years ago, one of the previous deployments named it ”Camp Sovina“. The symbolism is obvious in this case. The core of all contingents is formed by the members of the 212th Squadron. The Balad airbase lastly became the target to Islamists in 2014, when two thousand warriors attacks. Those were repelled by seventy-five defenders. Since then, there is no such threat. several Iraqi Army battalions stationed in its vicinity are also involved in the provision Bang like cannonfire of security to Balad airbase. The relatively “We are here especially because of significant assistance by the Czech Republic mentoring, but that does not change to the Iraqi armed forces is testified by the the fact that we are soldiers and that we fact that quite a sizeable number of its have to keep up certain capabilities and protectors is armed with the Czechoslovak- training standards. We are deployed in made Sa-58 assault rifles. a country that does not enjoy an ideal security situation. So, we have to be ready Camp Sovina for certain security threats. That is why we The formation of the Czech small unit allocate considerable room for training for also primarily reflected the provision of which we also use the well-designed local security. It is not by coincidence that it shooting range,“ Major Dúbravčík explains. has been named Alcatraz. In addition to “According to our member responsible for a thorough security, it comprises housing reporting on the security status, there is portacabins. Same as their air conditioning currently no threat posing to the base, there units, they require almost a continuous are no indications that anyone would pose A review 2/2017 17 a threat to it. But we naturally do not rely on that. We have rehearsed responses to various risks ranging from mortar attack to terrorist attack. The high readiness for crisis situations helps us keep a good equilibrium in the unit. As the commanding officer, I have no observations that any possible threat would affect mental balance of someone from the contingent.“ It looks like as if we would bring it with what we said, but electricity suddenly goes out on the base. Before our soldiers manage to identify the cause, a strong explosion sounds on the horizon. Just to make sure, the commanding officer calls an alarm. Everybody speedily goes for shelter, but it turns out it was nothing serious. An explosive charge had to be set off roughly a kilometre away from the base. Next day in the morning we set out with the Czech technicians and pilots towards hardened shelters, all of which house two L-159 Alca aircraft. The shelters bear the all systems on the aircraft. ”As you can Celsius in shade, that presently prevail here, designation of both L-159 aircraft and the see yourself, the forms of mentoring are affect the condition of the air assets. Some Iraqi No. 115 Squadron. The hydraulics quite diverse. The Czech Armed Forces instruments experience problems from time of giant steel gates is not operational personnel oversee Iraqi technicians, to time. The personnel seeks to keep the anymore and so they remain permanently armourers and other specialties during aircraft in the shelters as long as possible. open. An Iraqi ground personnel has preflight, flight and afterflight preparation. They roll them out only after preflight lined up inside. Tasking is very short, If there is any trouble, they assist in expert prepping and starting occurs within thirty everybody knows exactly what to do. First terms with solving the problem. Specialists minutes at maximum. That is how we of all, we need to remove tarp covers from from the company also prevent overheating of the equipment. the planes. ”Our normal working day is get involved from time to time. Many of Everything will probably get solved by the centered on mentoring that is driven by the those airplanes are still under warranty. cooling units the Iraqi should also get to requirements of the Iraqi Air Force. Given We also assist on additional activities, improve climatic conditions of the aircraft. the current temperatures, Iraqis rather such as periodical airplane checks, either Those are connected to the aircraft in order perform flights in the morning. Which after two or six months. In such cases, the for the inside of the machine not to be naturally places the highest demands for cooperation reaches even higher standards white-hot and pilots could be safely seated our pilots and technicians particularly early and oversight is more thorough. In addition, in the cockpit.“ in the morning, when they have to go and we also provide academic and practical assist preflight preparation like in this case,“ training, for both certified and non-certified Smart munitions dominating Major Dúbravčík emphasises. personnel. Our aim is not to endanger Technical inspections of the aircraft is Our technicians are already in contact flight safety,“ says the deputy commanding over, they are finally ready for a sortie. with their Iraqi counterparts and check officer and chief engineer Captain T. K. Technicians push them out of the hardened ”That way we continue the training effort shelter. It is not possible to overlook two that started back in the Czech Republic. 250kg air bombs suspended under wings. Two teams of Iraqi technicians were sent to ”Air bombs are used here on daily basis. the Czech Republic for technical training. That is not what we experience back at Based on the concept deliberated with Iraqi home on daily basis. It is definitely an representatives and Czech mentors, the interesting experience for our armourers; U.S. Air Force training system was adopted. they will not get into a situation back in Every Iraqi technician progressively goes the Czech Republic in which live ordnance through various stages of training.“ would be prepared for every sortie. It also benefits other personnel, they learn Preventing overheating something new. They will find out how it Not all materiel comprising the aircraft works elsewhere,“ Captain T. K. adds. acquisition package had been shipped to ”Combat use of the L-159 aircraft Balad by the time we visited the airbase. is definitely very useful for us too. We For instance, some measuring and test have not encountered anything like that equipment had not been in place by then. so far; so it is a premiere for us. From Lack of spares also manifested from time tactical viewpoint, we have a practical to time. ”But it was not a major problem opportunity to see on our own eyes that we would not be able to tackle. Sometimes the so-called dumb ammunition has there are also challenges with the language been made obsolete,“ one of our mentor barrier. Not all Iraqis speak fluent English. pilots says. ”It is obvious based on the But I have to admit I was pleasantly experience we gained how critical it is surprised with the excellent condition the to destroy just the target and not induce airplanes were in,“ Captain T. K. points out. any collateral damage.“ “High temperatures over forty degrees by Vladimír Marek 18 A review 2/2017

The Czech Field Surgery Team mastered excellently the mass intake of the wounded

What the Field Surgical Team (FST) in Iraq Fighting against Daesh, i.e. the so-called Islamic State, is was preparing for, during training, became not fought only on the battlefield. For medical doctors and a reality. The day in question was quite calm within the conditions of the deployment. In health personnel, their battlefield is the operating theatre the morning, there was a briefing, followed where they fight every day to save the lives of wounded by a routine check of the working place soldiers. Hard drill and demanding preparation help and testing of the instruments. There literally to reclaim the wounded from the clutches of death, was nothing to suggest that this day was going to be something special. Perhaps despite the difficult, unfavourable conditions prevailing in only the morning intelligence that spoke Iraq. of heavy fighting in the battle of the City of Mosul and the continuing offensive of hospital, one could feel a tense and difficult the 7th Iraqi Division, which was trying to atmosphere. One word was enough to push Daesh militants out of the vicinity of make everyone clear what would follow. our base, suggested that sooner or later, "The Mascal was declared," a brief piece there would be an incident that would test of information that produced an identical professionalism of all field hospital staff. response in the minds of each of the medical personnel present: "And here it is!" Mascal was declared No one was waiting for anything, everyone In the morning of that day, all FST health knew his place, according to the Mascal personnel were called in to their work Plan. This is why they started preparing the places by a radio appeal from an operation individual centres. Two paramedics were centre. Everyone immediately hurried to used for the categorisation of the patients the hospital, some in a field uniform, some (the so-called triage), outside the hospital, only in sports clothing. Gradually, Danish on a concrete slab, other medical staff was and British counterparts also arrived. It in the hospital. The simplified approach to was clear that something extraordinary the wounded came into force, something was taking place. After the arrival to the like an emergency alert. The first concrete A review 2/2017 19 information came through the radio. They brought in further patients, while the final factsheet learned that they had to treat the victims number of incoming patients is five. There The main task of the FST is the medical from the ranks of Iraqi soldiers, who were must be the immediate decision of who support and care for members of the wounded by suicide in vehicles will be operated on preferentially and who coalition and Iraqi armed forces. The unit with explosives. New and very effective must wait. Virtually all members of the FCT is composed mainly of members of the Daesh tactic against which there is virtually worked, without any exception. Military Medical Agency, supplemented no defence. by soldiers from the Military University Two operating tables available Hospital Prague and other military units The inexorable logic prevails The hospital has two places for surgeries and facilities. The expert core of the The first two injured soldiers were in the operating theatre, both of them were team consists of a pair of surgeons, an brought in on the hull of a large pick-up engaged in demanding surgery. Emergency anaesthesiologist, middle-level medical vehicle. Both of them sustained a chest decision-making, what Mascal naturally is, staff and other specialists. traumatic injury. According to the learned determined that less time-consuming eye practices, after a thorough check-up, injury surgery was performed directly on to the surgery table. Outside the hospital a general diagnostic and evaluation of their the stretcher, on patient intake. This rapid it started to dawn, but hospital personnel condition were made, to see if they had any improvised surgery gave the patient the were still working at 100 per cent. The last further wounds. In a routine situation, such hope that the eye would not be lost. To surgery was finished at around nine o'clock. chest wounds would demand an immediate do more, it would be beyond the compass Exhaustion came to everyone. Only ICU surgery. In the case of Mascal, however, of technical capability of our field hospital. (intensive care unit) duty staff remained a doctor must withstand his psychic Professional eye care could be provided in a place. The hospital building was tension, which leads him to the immediate only by higher-level hospitals. The patient shaken several times under the pressure of help for the wounded. The inexorable logic was therefore transported by Medevac artillery blast waves that swept with fire the must prevail, i.e. the assumed fact that to Baghdad. This improvised procedure positions of Daesh at the nearby heights, the further wounded are on the way. The illustrates the complexity of mass patients' to push them away from the base. All doctor must take into account that other intake and also expresses the ability of our expected that it would not take long and wounded patients may be still brought in medical professionals to adapt themselves other patients would to be brought in. The and some of them may need preferential quickly to the situation and find the proper whole action ended before lunch, when all surgeries. Supposing the operating room solution in a tense atmosphere. stabilized Iraqi soldiers after surgeries were was occupied by another patient, it might handed over to the Iraqi side. But six of have fatal consequences for them. In this Attacks by suicide bombers their comrades did not have such luck after case, the doctor unwittingly becomes the At the end, a patient with traumatic foot the attack of a suicide bomber… one who decides about being alive and injury from the suicide bomber was brought not living. In a nick of time, an ambulance by Michal Kříž-FST, and Michal Voska, photos: FST A20 Gallery of Soldiers Who Laid down their Lives for HomelandA review 2/2017

Kolya, but not the Boy by Svěrák

In July this year, the Ministry of Defence published an electronic database www.inmemoriam.army.cz, which aims to give names and faces to the people who laid down their lives for our country. Whether it was during their service at home in the Czech Republic, or during missions abroad. We would also like to contribute to this very beneficial effort. We will gradually publish stories of soldiers who laid their lives during service in the Army of Nikolai Martynov the Czech Republic. Honour their memory. (October 29, 1979 – May 3, 2007)

"It was like a tank column ride. Someone the meantime he graduated from the patrol was ordered to record the security screamed that everyone would run away Secondary Vocational School in Plzeň and situation in this strategically important immediately. In fact, there was a huge became a pork-butcher. He worked in this district, at the with Pakistan, to carry avalanche of mud and stones that pushed craft until the beginning of compulsory out several humanitarian projects, and at all that were in front of it and turned the military service at Vyškov. After finishing the same time to seek the ways how to help narrow gorge into a wide valley ending far the compulsory military service, he decided to this extremely poor area. away, in the river. “This flow ran down not to become a professional soldier and Our soldiers, after overcoming some only the vehicle, but also our two friends," reenlisted the 43rd Airborne Mechanized problems with vehicles, reached the only said spokeswoman for the contingent 2LT. Battalion. In this unit he gradually medical centre in the region, where they Lada Kovářová about the critical moments became engineer of the Engineer Squad, delivered to a local doctor the generator. of May 3, 2007, when Staff Sergeant Nikolai Commander's Company; senior specialist of Simultaneously they discussed the Martynov died. "Some of the soldiers were EOD Group, Recce Platoon; senior specialist potential repairs of this centre. Besides, the lucky that they were captured only by the of the 2nd Airborne Company; and from contingent's paramedic nurse and a local edge of the avalanche of mud and stones. April 2005 a scout of the Reconnaissance doctor consulted the treatment of some They got out of it only with minor injuries, Squad, Headquarters Company. patients. She handed over the medical in the nick of time. The flow of rock divided In April 2000, he joined his first foreign materiel. Then the convoy continued to the patrol into two groups. There was no mission, SFOR II in Bosnia and Herzegovina. the administrative area centre, the village time for panic. We all saw the power of In 2003 and 2006 he participated in the Skazer. From there the convoy continued to natural elements. It was clear that this KFOR mission in Kosovo. When he flew in Paskoran and then to the mountain village situation could be repeated, any time, just April 2007 to Fayzabad, Afghanistan, as Sahran, located at an altitude of three a few meters away from us. We noticed that an older specialist of the Reconnaissance and a half thousand feet. This village was two of us were missing. However, it was not Detachment, 5th ACR Contingent, he discovered by ISAF soldiers, just several in our power at this moment to start any ranked among experienced veterans. He days before. It was not documented on rescue operation. Darkness was all around was very popular among soldiers, as he any maps. The patrol succeeded there us and the storm did not cease. The whole selflessly helped to everyone. Most of his to gather information about a regional mass of mud, like lava, moved towards the comrades called him by a familiar nickname security situation, movements of fighters river." Kolya. and smugglers from nearby Pakistan. The Czech paramedic nurse treated some local He applied to join the paratroopers Patrol to the newly discovered village patients. Our soldiers likewise handed over But let's start from the very beginning. On the first day of May, he was instructed humanitarian aid, namely school supplies. Nikolai was born in Moscow in October to escort together with other soldiers 1979, where he also completed his first a patrol to the farthest district Koran va Back to the base years in school. In 1993 he moved with Munjan. The administrative village Skazer In the afternoon, the patrol moved to his twin brother Alexander to his mother, was from the base in a distance more than a place that was deliberately chosen to be who had lived then in the Czech Republic 200 kilometres. The transfer route was very suitable for spending the night, because for a very long time. Five years later Nikolai difficult, leading across the mountains in an such a place had to meet certain safety Martynov acquired Czech citizenship. In altitude of above two thousand metres. The criteria. After a trouble-free night in this A review 2/2017 21

mountains. The mass of rocks fell faster and faster. There was no escape from the ravine where Nikolai Martynov and Miloš Prášil worked intensively at that time. The avalanche swept both two soldiers down into the river. While Miloš Prášil survived the night with great luck, even with the heavy injuries suffered in the river, Kolya paid the highest price. After being transported to his homeland, he was buried in a cemetery at Štěchovice near Pilsen. Posthumously he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer and awarded the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence, third class. Prepared by Vladimír Marek, photos: www.inmemoriam.army.cz and A report archives.

area, it seemed that the soldiers overcame Fatal avalanche the most critical part of their journey. The While the soldiers released the materiel, only one thing left, a move back to the the rescue team set off from the base. It base. Soldiers were returning along a path took only a few seconds and the mild rain that hundreds of patrols had driven earlier, turned into a bursting storm, with hails and in the past. About forty kilometres before a strong wind. In this bad weather, Miloš the base, the weather suddenly changed. Prášil climbed down to the crashed vehicle. The mild rain that started falling down from He unloaded the luggage and fastened the cloudy sky was nothing extraordinary. them to the rope. At its other end there In these areas, the rain comes unexpectedly was Staff Sergeant Martynov. He pulled the and unexpectedly leaves. The patrol pieces of materiel up and handed them to moved along a narrow path carved in the another patrolman. Unexpectedly a sound mountainside. About twenty metres below, was heard, which Miloš Prášil later described there was streaming a river full of melting as follows: "Suddenly I was surprised by the snow from the mountains. Nobody even noise that originally resembled the sound knew that the storm was much stronger in of Kamaz. There was a question in my the mountains and that a great danger was head, whether it was possible for a truck coming. At that time the column lost its to pass through, but I knew the rest of the radio connection with the last vehicle. crew had things up there, under control. It turned out that the road broke off The noise that resembled the Kamaz truck under the vehicle. Nevertheless, except in a moment changed into a thunderous for minor injuries and bruises, the crew deafening rumble. First of all, it occurred was okay. But there was a problem with to me that under a big truck that was releasing the car that could not be pulled above us, a small stretch of road broke off out. Nikolai Martynov, as well as his friend and was falling down upon us. The huge Miloš Prášil participated in the rescue of avalanche of mud and stones, which was the vehicle. First of all it was necessary to unceasingly approaching, did not cause secure materiel, weapons, ammunition and a Kamaz. It was released by the torrential to inform the base on the problems that rain, about eight kilometres higher in the had arisen. 22 A review 2/2017

Multinational air defence training exercise focused on NATO integrated air defence

Tobruq Legacy 2017

The multinational tactical exercise that trained air under the name of Tobruq Legacy 2017 verified for the first ever the ability of the NATO nations to activate and effectively control an integrated air defence concurrently in the territory of multiple nations. The exercise took place from July 10-23, 2017, simultaneously in three European countries – Czech Republic, and Romania.

It was the third edition of such type of Colonel Ján Sedliačik, the commander of the multinational exercise. The first run was Czech 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment. held in the 2015 in the Czech Republic, the Service members of the regiment were second issue a year later in . The those tasked to organise the exercise in the exercise was always directed by the armed Czech Republic. forces of the state the exercise was held in. This time, the exercise was conducted by Czechs in command of NATO forces the members of the U.S. armed forces, the The Czech exercise hosted more than five 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command hundred personnel from six NATO nations commented the Chief of Staff of the 25th based at Kaiserslautern, . (Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Air Defence Missile Regiment Lieutenant ”An integrated air defence was created Slovakia, United Kingdom and United Colonel Jaroslav Daverný. ”Further, Czech under the lead of the Czech, Lithuanian States). Most of the forces were deployed servicemembers also exercised the ability and Romanian commanding officers in in the Hradiště Military Training Area, with to command and control air defence forces the sectors of responsibility of individual some personnel assigned to the 22nd from several NATO nations,“ added LTC states. It was controlled by an international Helicopter Air Force Base Náměšť and Daverný who was the exercise director in command headquarters in the territory the 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment in the Czech Republic. of Romania, whose superior command Strakonice. The airspace over the Doupov mountains was the (AIRCOM) in ”One of the primary goals of the exercise was protected by a wide range of air defence Ramstein, Germany. The tactical exercise was to practice activities as part of missions systems. Czech troops trained with RBS-70 scenario realistically verified the ability of by a multinational task force and increase and S-10M (SA-13) air defence systems. the integrated air and missile defence to interoperability among coalition forces Slovaks joined in with IGLA systems, effectively engage any aerial threats,“ said in common air defence operations,“ Hungarians with MISTRAL technology and A review 2/2017 23

Missiles over Doupov factsheet The live fire exercise involved Czechs, The first edition of Tobruq Legacy 2015 saw the participation of five hundred soldiers from Hungarians, Slovaks and Americans to five NATO nations. A year later, already 1,100 service personnel trained their skills. This year, shoot the total of six types of air defence the exercise brought together 2,200 men and women in uniform from ten countries (Czech missile systems. Czech soldiers fired the Republic, Lithuania, , Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom RBS-70, S-10M and S-2M air defence and ) and engaged the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, missile systems, Slovaks shot their IGLAs Germany. Over three years, Tobruq Legacy became the largest exercise to train NATO ground and Hungarians engaged with MISTRAL. based air defence forces. U.S. forces joined in with the AVENGER and fired with the machine gun included on that weapon system. For the LIVEX in Hradiště MTA, the Czechs were in command. Live Exercise Over seventy missiles were expended Joint training of NATO forces in the to engage a variety of targets – dedicated Czech territory paved the way for a live flares, sleeve towed behind an unmanned fire exercise for the very short range air aerial vehicle or a special infrared emitter defence missile systems. On 19 July 2017, added to the sleeve. Ground lights or the missions of the tactical exercise that weather balloons were used as well. focused on the integrated air and missile defence with primary focus on integrated Controlled fire from two ranges air and missile defence of Central and The Hradiště training area saw a joint Eastern Europe, were attended by the live fire exercise involving ground based Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces air defence units from multiple NATO General Josef Bečvář. nations for the first time in June last year. ”The idea to hold exercise Tobruq Legacy This time, they added a controlled fire from originated in the Czech Republic three years two ranges at the same time. A part of air ago with the aim to train ground based air defence systems engaged targets from the defence missions as part of multinational Březina range, the others fired from the task forces and increase the interoperability Mětikalov range. ”We have not practically on common deployments. This year, the tried this skill yet. This way, the situation

Americans used their AVENGERs. The same exercise was newly expanded to take that we simulated to our training forces is as Czechs, Lithuanians employed the RBS- place concurrently in the Czech Republic, much nearer to real deployments of ground 70 defence systems. The Náměšť airbase Lithuania and Romania and it has also based air defence forces,“ Lieutenant was the station for a Czech unit equipped a higher complexity. The exercise needed Colonel Jaroslav Daverný expanded. with the 2K12 KUB (SA-6) air defence missile to integrate the process of command and This year’s edition of multinational system. The opponent was simulated both control delivered by the NATINAMDS NATO exercise Tobruq Legacy culminated in the by the Czech Air Force assets such as JAS- headquarters via national CRC echelons distinguished visitors day organised at the 39 Gripen fighters, L-159 ALCAs and Mi- and their subordinate command posts Mihail Kogalniceaunu airbase in Romania 24/35 gunships, but also the U.S. AH-64 through to target allocation to individual on July 22, 2017. The Czech Republic was Apache attack helicopters. To intercept and fire assets,“ said General Josef Bečvář on represented by the Air Force Commander track them, the forces used various radar his visit to see the forces training in the Major General Jaromír Šebesta and systems in the inventory of individual NATO Hradiště Military Training Area. Commander of the 25th Air Defence nations’ air defence forces. Missile Regiment Colonel Ján Sedliačik.

by CAPT Jana Samcová 24 A review 2/2017

For the Czech service personnel, the EUTM is not just about training and protecting the headquarters, but also about assistance and rescue Heroes from Mali The ninth contingent under the baton of Captain Bedřich Hýža has been deployed since March earlier this year. The mandate is clear, the primary mission is to assist on building and training the Malian armed forces in order for it to be able to face the attacks by Islamist radicals and maintain the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. That materialised in June during the rescue of hotel guests in the nearby complex.

Many a niggler, especially on social highly value the efforts our soldiers exert, is being recognised as a peaceful place. The networks, as well as comments under what really matters to us. That is proven by times are over when many travellers set articles on commercial media often tend many achievements around the world and out for adventure and to see the beauties to depreciate the efforts our men and medals our soldiers proudly wear. of Timbuktu, Gao and other cities. After women in uniform exert on deployments. the arrival and necessary briefing, we No matter where they are assigned. Shortly, Peaceful Mali? meet Brigadier General Peter Devogelaere, they are condemned as mercenaries A week before our departure, a message the EUTM mission commander. Along only going downrange to make money arrived about the involvement of our with Ms. Elizabeth Vervecken, the press for themselves and spend taxpayers’ soldiers in the fights at Le Campement and information officer, he expands money on sunbathing, eating selected Kangaba hotel complex located east of our familiarity with the incident and delicatessen and have fitness for free. Yes, Bamako, the capital of Mali. Fragmentary involvement of our service personnel. that is frequently a popular perception information indicate the possibility of of the Czech Republic’s participation in an extensive attack by Islamist groups foreign operations. There is no point operating in large numbers in Mali, Afternoon attack by Islamists in explaining the merit of our medics, including local factions of the so- ”After the call for help, a quick instructors, simply all those involved in the called Islamic State as well as the reaction force comprising two foreign deployments, to “beer experts“. notorious Boko Haram. That teams was instantly activated Appreciation by our coalition partners, who is why the region is far from A review 2/2017 25

shortly after 16:00 hrs. local time. The place environment with an opponent having factsheet of attack (Bamako) is located approximately available massive firepower. ”I led a Malian The commanding officer of the 9th deployment 30 kilometres from here. A group of unit and we advanced quite fast. A ballistic is Captain Bedřich Hýža of the 71st Mechanised Islamists attacked a hotel that housed shield was used for our protection. Battalion based at Hranice. The core of the several dozen persons including EUTM That was everything we had except for Czech Armed Forces 9th deployment in EUTM civilian and military personnel. Terrorist individual body armour. Sadly one of the Mali comprises service personnel of the 71st fired around themselves and sought to hit local soldiers next to me was hit by terrorist Mechanised Battalions from Hranice. The unit as many people as they could. Together with and died. There was a figure walking is complemented with servicemembers of the Malian forces including the local special towards us, slowly and calmly. It appeared 41st Mechanised Battalion homebased in Žatec, police units, the Czech soldiers got into at the distance that it was a hotel guest. Training Command – Military Academy, 44th contact roughly thirty minutes from when We only spotted an AK in his hand when Light Motorised Battalion based at Jindřichov attack was reported. The professionalism he approached. In the meantime, the lads Hradec, 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion with which our soldiers started to fight the evacuated the hotel guests and employees, stationed in Prostějov and the CIS Operation- terrorists with the aim to rescue all hostages and carried the casualties into ambulance Tactical Command and Control Systems Centre was breath-taking. “Czech soldiers have cars. They thanked us. Most of them wept, stationed in Lipník nad Bečvou. The MoD proven on a sustained basis to be one of the some with joy for having been rescued, Capability Development and Planning Division is best we have deployed here, as many of my some of fear and horror. Many of them also represented. The unit continues to provide predecessors also confirmed. Coordination came to our base afterwards to thank us. security to HQ EUTM (European Union Training of multiple components in a restricted site It was moving,“ said one of the soldiers of Mission) in capital Bamako, and performing claims a high degree of professionalism the 71st Mechanised Battalion homebased personnel and convoy escort team. Two Czech and particularly excellent organisational at Hranice, which manned the core of the Armed Forces personnel are involved in training skills. Over thirty persons were rescued. task force. Malian soldiers at the Koulikoro training camp Had there not been such an early response, (approximately 60 km from Bamako). the toll would have been much higher,“ said Mentors are important Brigadier General. In total, the European The lines above show what the Czech Union effort in Mali sadly lost two persons deployments are up to on foreign and team leaders. The training prepares from the ranks of both military and civilian operations. Cooperation is always soldiers for forming defence correctly personnel. important and, in the case of Mali, also and leading attacks effectively, reacting to the willingness to learn new procedures contact with the opponent, and running Elimination of the opponent and without rashness. That is why our checkpoints. The training naturally includes evacuation mission here is to mentor Malian forces, countering improvised explosive devices. Malian special police forces have a vast in addition to the provision of security Six-week training block always comes to experience with counterterrorism, but to the headquarters and quick reaction head with a final comprehensive three-day operation in a hotel complex is very forces. Czech instructors are assigned examination. During that testing, the Czech specific and requires perfect reactions. Our to the platoons of the ETIA 2nd training instructors are also tasked to assess how leadership for repelling the attack and then company led by German officers and their trainees are able to handle the AK-47 for clearing the premises was critical for serve in the Koulikoro area. Together with assault rifles that are the most widely used seamless coordination of forces. For the our instructors, there are also colleagues handguns in the region for reasons easy to local security forces, the presence of soldiers from on the training team. The understand and there is no point in doing some of whom they have known from program primarily focuses on tactics with the training with any other weapon. Upon training areas in many instances, especially individual training at the beginning to end mastering all drills, Malian soldiers get in Koulikoro training camp, is a guarantee up with platoon tactical training. Individual their satisfaction in the course graduation and boosts everybody’s courage. It is platoons comprise roughly 25 soldiers ceremony. not easy to operate in a closed-quarters under the leadership of Malian commander by Michal Voska 26 A review 2/2017

International Exercises of Reconnaissance and Intelligence Components SCREENER 2017

The Libavá Military Region was a place for the exercise of the other civilian organizations. Also several 7th Mechanized Brigade "Dukelská", in which were involved preparatory exercises took place, as well as also mechanized units of the subordinate battalions, as well the employment of reconnaissance units of the 7th Mechanized Brigade. as staff and other elements of the Brigade Headquarters. In addition to personnel of the 7th Mechanized Brigade, The most realistic training conditions the exercise was attended also by soldiers of the 4th Rapid The theme of the exercise was, simply speaking, an armed conflict between the Deployment Brigade, 53rd Regiment of Reconnaissance, further fictional states, Atropia and Ariana. In order by University of Defence students of the module Commander to create the most credible employment of the Reconnaissance Units, members of the 13th Artillery environment and to complete the picture Regiment, 14th Logistic Support Regiment, and others. of the war, even web pages emerged, where fictitious, nevertheless very elaborate reports from the environment of Participants from abroad were members the two belligerent sides were published. In of the 22nd Carpathian Mountains factsheet cooperation with the 103rd CIMIC/PSYOPS Infantry Battalion (Kłodzko, Poland); 3rd The main objectives of the exercise were Centre, even TV coverages or recruiting Reconnaissance Battalion (Mistelbach, to practice conducting reconnaissance video for enemy paramilitary units were ), 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Prešov, in conditions of symmetrical and created. The exercise was officially opened Slovakia), 134th Cavalry Regiment Army asymmetrical warfare, and to practice by the commander of the 7th Mechanized National Guard, (Nebraska, United States) the management and support of already Brigade, Colonel Pavel Lipka, at the muster and 2nd US Army Cavalry Regiment (unit established reconnaissance bodies (e.g. parade of all participants. Together with is stationed in the German city of Vilseck). in terms of radio communication or his parents, the exercise was attended Due to its complexity, the participation reassigning tasks to teams). SCREENER by a guest of honour, Corporal Lukáš of foreign units, and the use of civilian 2017 exercise involved 450 military "Hiro" Hirka, the former member of Recce areas, the exercise itself was preceded by professionals and approximately 70 pieces Platoon, 72nd Mechanized Battalion, who a long planning process, combined with of military equipment, including three was badly wounded in Afghanistan in 2012. a number of meetings with representatives T-72M4 CZ tanks and 16 BVP-2 combat His team-mates, however, do not forget of the partner armies, territorial authorities, infantry vehicles. about him, he is regularly invited by them Police of the Czech Republic, Fire Rescue and Major Jan Komínek, officer conducting Service, Mountain Rescue Service, and the exercise, on this occasion, showed the A review 2/2017 27

Hirka family round the Main Command the scouts were deployed, and the rain Post. lasted till Thursday, when the scouts were withdrawn. Adverse weather The first week in the Libavá region Attention of local people was characterized by very unfavourable The Operative Command Post and OPFOR weather. The cold wind was blowing, it base quickly became the centre of attention was raining a lot, sometimes it was even of the local population The presence of snowing, and temperatures were often only troops in the town was a new experience slightly above zero. The climatic conditions not only for the residents of Karolinka, worsened at the time of deployment, and service platoon, Headquarters of 7th Mech but also for the exercise participants therefore they thoroughly tested their Bde, and other support units. Through their themselves. After a brief, cautious testing physical and mental resilience, dedication participation in SCREENER 2017 exercise, on both sides, interaction took place in and experience. For example, some these units improved their ability to be a relaxed and stress-free atmosphere. The reservists of the Army National Guard set deployed in a real armed conflict. positive reception of troops in the town out on a combat mission only in blouses was backed by talks with demonstrations of or tactical combat T-shirts, for which the Arrangement in a civilian environment military arms and vehicles that took place Libavá weather punished them very quickly. met expectations in the local elementary school as early as The deployment of scouts in the area of In the second week, the exercise moved in March, as an "open day", organized in operation was, of course, preceded by from Libavá to the Beskids Protected the office of the main command. And, last the issuing of combat orders. To prepare Landscape Area. Both the main command but not least, the friendly behaviour of all and issue orders, some of the units used post and the OPFOR base, the soldiers built soldiers helped a lot, including such trifles designated log cabins; other processed in the very heart of Karolinka town. The as the willingness to lend a hand to passers- everything in their quarters, while the rest Beskids were selected due to the proximity by with their heavy shopping bags. For city focused more on creating the so-called of the state border with Slovakia, and administration, the presence of soldiers plastic tables and issuing instructions the town of Karolinka, shortly after initial became a unique opportunity to practice outside the log camp. Since the exercise meetings with the local ones, proved to crisis management activities. By providing was attended by foreign soldiers, a great deal of communication was in English. The chance to practice in a foreign language had practically every soldier, for the directing staff and combined recce groups; communication in English became a necessity for two weeks. Examination of the abilities of the Czech Armed Forces to cooperate with foreign soldiers was one of the priority areas of SCREENER 2017 exercise.

An important role for units simulating the enemy Although SCREENER is presented primarily as a recce and intelligence exercise, the 7th Mechanized Brigade tries to use it as efficiently as possible for the training of its other units. The role of the enemy forces OPFOR (Opposing Forces) came to members of the mechanized be an ideal base thanks to pre-prepared billets to training soldiers in the premises platoons of the 72nd Mechanized and 73rd buildings for crisis management. The of a local school, in those of integrated Tank Battalions. During the exercise, they exercise continued on the same theme, but centre or theatre, the town management not only simulated a regular Arian army, with some differences. The scouts' activities verified, for example, whether in a natural but together with students of the University were focused on setting up observation disaster, they were capable to provide of Defence also paramilitary groups, the posts near the state border, namely emergency accommodation for hundreds Skull Commando and the Bruno Brigade. observing and the passing of messages of people. The deployment of scouts with Playing the enemy's role helped us to on the activities of interest groups in the the use of the Mi-171Š helicopter further review the capabilities of mechanized units, border area. Due to the precipitous terrain, helped to the mayoress of the town, Mrs. as their activities were carried out under it was assumed that we would not be able Marie Chovanečková, to verify whether the preparation programmes of mechanized to establish a connection with some groups, local heliport was really fully usable. The troops. In the course of the first week, for during their deployment. For obvious participation of the Police of the Czech example, they practiced an occupation reasons, the OPFOR units did not use heavy Republic and the Fire Rescue Service in of a defence position and performing tracked vehicles. Different situations were trained situations subsequently examined deception attack in which reconnaissance played, such as arms and drugs smuggling, their ability to respond to extreme groups were deployed. And while the execution of the locals, and all culminated situations, as well as the ability of military scouts were employed far behind the in an attempt to poison water in a nearby professionals to cooperate effectively with enemy lines, mechanized units improved dam, the reservoir of drinking water for the these components of the Integrated Rescue the reconnaissance of the area. The whole area. In fact, the weather improved System during armed conflicts. following group of the so-called secondary this week, nevertheless according to participants included a signal company, Murphy's laws, it began to rain after Text and photos by Captain Ladislav Kabát 28 A review 2/2017

The French Town of Landivisiau Hosted another Year of the Prestigious NATO Exercise International Tiger Meet NATO Tiger Meet The participation of 13 NATO member and partner states with During the exercise its effectiveness can 53 aircraft and 15 helicopters, as well as the best camouflage be tested against different types of aircraft, with different armament. We gain valuable competition. It was the content of this year's edition, in which insights and practice that we could use in the 21st Tactic Air Force Base Čáslav was represented by a total the future," explained Lieutenant Colonel of 30 soldiers, primarily pilots and technicians of the 211th Jaroslav Tomaňa, Commander of the Czech Group and at the same time Commander of Tactical Squadron with four JAS-39 Gripen aircraft and two the 211th Tactical Squadron Čáslav. members of the 26th Air Command, Control and Surveillance Regiment Stará Boleslav. Dimensions are advantageous The flying teams are divided into two During the exercise, morning time, the followed according to schedule, focusing groups, blue and red. The first team missions were carried out under a complex on air combat manoeuvring and tasks of is a coalition force designed to defeat scenario, coordinating all personnel . The main task of the 211th a red enemy group. The roles, of course, involved (the so-called COMAO – Tactical Squadron is the surveillance of the alternate during the exercise. After arriving Composite Air Operations), in which several airspace of the Czech Republic, on which at the airport, the pilots of the JAS-39 dozen pieces of aviation equipment, naval the training of pilot staff has been focused Gripen aircraft always waited for a standard frigates and special forces units, were for a long time. "We have our own tactics scheduling of a morning sortie, during involved. In the afternoon, the missions of conducting manoeuvre aerial fights. which they were practicing aerial combats.

factsheet NATO TIGER ASSOCIATION – the Association of Tiger Squadrons from NATO states. For the first time, NATO air force units that have a tiger or other big cat in their logos or emblems, met in the summer of 1961 at the base of British , Woodbridge; The host squadron was the then 79th Fighter Squadron of the US forces. The reason for their meeting was the effort to co-operate with new ways of aerial manoeuvres, exchange of experience and demonstration exercise of aircraft. The 211th Tactical Squadron Čáslav became an honorary member in 1991, full member became in 2010. In the same year, the 211 won the so-called Silver Tiger Trophy, which is traditionally awarded the best unit of air live exercise. In 2013, the Čáslav Tiger Squadron ranked second in the best camouflage competition. A review 2/2017 29

The preparation included, for example, planes," the skilful pilot of Čáslav praises Companion programme information on meteorological conditions the . As a part of the exercise, there are also or a state of the runway and in this respect several accompanying programmes, such it did not differ from preparation at home Preparing the aircraft before flying as the best camouflage competition with in the Czech Republic. What is different Before the pilot sits in the cockpit, a painted Tiger emblem. This year, the is mission planning, consultation on the technicians must prepare the airplane. Czech flagship aircraft JAS-39 Gripen was specifics of foreign aircraft and their risks. They check the state of antennas, cockpit decorated with a scheme named "Wildcat", "Every airplane has its strengths and cover, chassis, tyre pressures, the amount of where a partly overlaid face of top model weaknesses that we have to use in the air running fluids, magnetic plug in the engine, and actress Simona Krajinová is styled in NATO Tiger Meet combat manoeuvring for our benefit," one the amount of hydraulic fluid, refuelling, the form of a tigress. Her tigress eyes then of the Czech fighter pilots reveals, adding: the configuration of the aircraft (e.g. the decorate horizontal control tail planes. This "We have our own combat tactics and, number of additional tanks), seat unlocking, camouflage has won a beautiful second depending on the technical specifications they control the amount of oxygen and place, respectively silver, if you want it of the opponent's machine, we choose the the aircraft is viewed from the outside. like that. This year's best camouflage was most appropriate one." The advantages This whole process takes two hours. After awarded to the white Rafale M airplane, of the JAS-39 Gripen aircraft are its high the last and detailed inspection, there is with black tiger stripes, from the Flottille manoeuvrability and dimensions. "The nothing to prevent the airplane from giving 11F, French Navy. For our squadron it is not aircraft is noticeably smaller compared to it to the pilot, who starts up the engine the first prize for camouflage. The second other fourth-generation aircraft, so the and communicates with a technician to place Czech airmen already won in 2013. opponent usually notices us later than check the functionality of all systems and Even last year, the attention was attracted we notice him. Other features include engines. The technician arms the weapons by the helicopter Mi-35/24V, Register 3366, an efficient radar that allows long-range and guides the machine to the runway. from 221st Helicopter Squadron, 22nd detection of targets in combination with During the following hour, he can only wish Helicopter Air Force Base, Náměšť nad a jammer that, according to the existing his team-mate success in combat. "During Oslavou. In the case of leased Gripens in results, causes major problems to other one flight mission, we do some air-duels the service of the Czech Air Force, it is not and then count the score," the Czech pilot a painting, but only a special self-adhesive smiles. "In the morning, we perform the so- foil, for which they had to club the money called Shadow Waves, i.e. missions focused together in the past. In recent years, the on aerial duels that are shorter, due to cost of adhesive foils for a plane of this elite fewer aircraft; the flight action lasts about squad has been paid by Aerospace Saab an hour. However, during this hour, we are company. Fighters, unlike his colleagues able to enter four times into air combat with helicopters, cannot let the machine with the airplanes of the opponent," says be painted. Other limitations are the Colonel Jaroslav Tomaňa, Commander of regulations which clearly state how Czech the Čáslav group. Flights are primarily of national emblem on the tail of the airplane educational character and always follow is to be placed. a prepared schedule. But there is also an alternative plan, in case the battle situation The tenth victory of the Belgians would change and one of the tactical pair For completing submissions, as well as would be marked as shot down. During the other additional disciplines, such as sports exercise, Czech pilot fighters completed games or social performances, the pilots a total of 46 sorties, and spent more than gained points. The most important and 65 hours in the air. most rated category is the "best performing squadron". The Silver Tiger Trophy is rewarded to the overall best performing squadron during a Tiger Meet exercise. The tiger “image” is evaluated in the competition for the best gear and original representation of the tiger symbols. Their brains and sense of humour the squadrons must prove in Skill Competition; physical fitness during Tiger Sports Games. The best squadron, who collects the most points, will get a unique silver tiger called “Silver Tiger Trophy”. This prize was won, as well as the last year, by the 31st Tiger Squadron from Belgian Kleine Brogel. In the long history of Tiger Meet events it is already its tenth victory. An elite Belgian squadron with the F-16s was deployed from 2007 to 2014 for example in Afghanistan. It has several combat missions over Libya, and during recent months it also flew also over Syria and Iraq.

by Michal Voska, photos: LTC Uli Metternich and CAPT Tomáš Maruščák 30 A review 2/2017

The 102 in Jordan proved its professionalism and readiness Warrior 2017

The 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion from Prostějov took part Little space, first challenges in a challenging contest at the KASOTC base, which belongs After moving by the CASA plane to the KASOTC base in Jordan, there was a rough to the most modern and newest in the world. The scouts were temperature jump in a desert environment. awaited by a number of demanding tasks in desert conditions, From early in the morning, the temperature in which they could use their hard, three-month preparation. was over 30 degrees, and the breeze that blew, was like from a hairdryer. A bus was At the end of April, there began a long at a venue of competition proved to be waiting at the airport for the soldiers, awaited time for the 102nd Reconnaissance the biggest weakness in the past. This time and after necessary checks it took them Battalion (102nd Recce Bn) stationed at we should have these weapons in place to the base. At the base, there were usual Prostějov. For this day, they scheduled the in advance and fully available. Before the instructions waiting for them, like at other transfer by a CASA plane, of the Army of departure and loading the materiel on NATO bases. The quartering for Prostějov the Czech Republic, to exotic Jordan, for the vehicle, a complete inspection of the scouts was prepared in a small room, where the KASOTC base (King Abdullah II Special materiel was carried out, according to the four triple loft beds were placed. After the Operator Training Centre). At this moment, pre-prepared lists. The necessary things materiel moved in, the first deficiency was the relatively long and difficult preparation could not stay at home. Everything could immediately discovered, there was no place of the team for Warrior 2017 exercise was be useful and might be missing at an to move. The ergonomic design of the room completed. The team was preparing for inappropriate time. underwent a lot of changes, for the soldiers more than three months, with the help it was in fact their first task. To think out of shooting and tactics specialists from how to put things together for easy and the whole defence department and even fast handling, but at the same time how to beyond it. Several different army and police get also a bit of free space for them. shooting ranges and training facilities were used to train. Without exaggeration, they Weapons from the CZUB ran hundreds of kilometres. From the The second day of their stay in Jordan second stage of preparation, weapons was marked by preparations. The materiel used for training were those weapons used was completed and they performed later even in the very competition. Thus a check of the weapons borrowed from the in the course of three months, the team CZUB (Czech Arms Factory Uherský Brod), of 102nd Recce Bn worked closely with which managed to send these weapons a group of Czech Arms Factory specialists, to the place of exercise in advance. The who regularly participated in the training Czech Arms Factory was also the partner and familiarized the soldiers with the latest and sponsor of this year’s Warrior 2017 models of their production. competition. The exercise, which was actually the competition of reconnaissance, New BREN and P-10 C police and special units, was attended by 31 They were an assault rifle CZ BREN 2 teams from 17 countries and 4 continents. and a pistol CZ P-10 C, so that the soldiers It is easy to note that a master is done by could utilize the most modern equipment exercises, but only practical comparison and experience from the best marksmen in with teams from around the world gave the Czech Republic. Lending the weapons a realistic idea of different procedures, A review 2/2017 31 other possibilities, different use of allowed materiel and equipment, tactics and approach to planning the execution of individual tasks. The monitoring of other teams always opened up a discussion about the right variant and encouraged again to repeat the drills of the execution of respective tasks.

Drilling procedures There was always enough time to schedule tasks. Individual stages were really challenging. Issuing instructions to tasks for the "team leaders" always took place in the very evenings, before the tasks were to be fulfilled. Overnight everything was always discussed and scheduled for the following day. Early in the morning, the schedule of the task was repeated several shooting discipline. Certainly, they did not spent in practicing military skills would times, and other variants were debated. fall behind in fulfilling tasks in the built-up be as efficient as possible. To sum up, the Every day, two main tasks and several area. What was not properly trained was scouts gained a lot of knowledge. complementary disciplines were fulfilled. the transport of the wounded, in various The competition was focused on precise situations and through various obstacles, The average standings, challenge for shooting at both long and short distances, with the use of several types of stretchers, future years always after a heavy stress, overcoming because this activity was not carried out And how did it all happen? In the final many obstacles, solving unpredictable in previous years of the competition. In order, we ranked 18th in 31 teams. It could complications, and in addition to it, they the competition for this purpose was used be said that we ended up on average, ran in the desert many kilometres. At the a figurine known as DUMMY, weighing from we certainly did not fail. Our goal – to be end of most solved situations, the transport 70 to 120 kilogrammes. The dummy became among the top 15 teams – we did not meet. of a wounded person was included, and it too often a companion of our soldiers, so it In fact, these teams fulfilled one of the last should be noted that all fulfilled tasks on would be appropriate to acquire a similar and the most demanding disciplines, the the list were to be fulfilled in a ballistic vest, dummy for the future preparation of so-called "Kings Challenge", which divided which always had to weight more than soldiers. It is a great difference to transport triple points, it was basically a kind of final, 10kg, which was checked several times an immobile mannequin or a team-mate with more attributes to remember. At the throughout the competition, moreover also who can at least partially cooperate. end, we would like to thank to all those who in a ballistic helmet. What the competition really gave us was supported our soldiers and contributed a comparison with the other states, with to this very good result. Many very good The order was determined by time which our soldiers had not come into teams we overcame and the rest is the The succession of the teams, fulfilling contact so often. It was good to find out on challenge for improvements in the years to individual tasks, was determined by the what they put emphasis and how they were come. To be ranked eighth in the world, it's time achieved. For individual unfulfilled preparing, how they were equipped, and not so bad. tasks or missed targets, the total time in which fields we were better, and where by Deputy Commander 102nd Recce Bn was always multiplied by the target's they were better, for a change. Our goal is MAJ Ing. Gustav Lakoš and Michal Voska validity and unfulfilled hitches. The most clear. To the fullest extent, to introduce new Photos: Czech Arms Factory Uherský Brod challenging task of the day was rated twice. trends and ways of training, so that all time and MAJ Ing. Gustav Lakoš This year, the entire competition was under the supervision of US instructors who used the same standard for all competitors and insisted on strict observing all rules. Our team was furnished with a new version of 4Msystem combat vest, which proved to be universally usable. On the contrary, helmets showed to be inadequate and also as a big handicap. REDO Company Ltd. gave the team of 102nd Recce Bn for performing its tasks medium-sized backpacks that proved their quality and good workmanship. The same company lent a water purifier to test its functionality in desert conditions. It was tested and we can confirm the easiness of its use.

High quality shooting preparation Some words about the course of the competition. For what the soldiers were prepared very well, was a shooting section, and this was confirmed by the first and the third place in the individuals, in added 32 A review 2/2017

Czech military joined the international exercise Cooperative Security 2017 to practice border control Cooperative Security 2017 The Allentsteig military training area in Austria hosted military on fictive external EU border. The personnel from six nations including the Czech Republic at the checkpoint was an area for people to pass in a controlled fashion to be searched end of September. The Czech Armed Forces participated with for possibly carrying weapons or other 78 servicemembers and 21 vehicles. The integration exercise dangerous objects. The soldiers IDed them involved the members of the armed forces of Austria, Hungary, at the same time. Once certain number of Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia – the countries comprising the people gathered, the group was taken to designated staging points. Soldiers train Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC). correct and adequate conduct with people they know nothing about, people who are full of uncertainty and have various Almost 2,500 military personnel from six including outside their own specialty. They expectations. The exercise scenario also nations took part in the exercise with the also comprised a command team and trained stressful situations with replicants primary objective to practice cooperation a logistic support platoon. The exercise starting to behave suspiciously and in the protection of external of the was initiated by Austrian Defence Minister aggressively. Approximately 800 young European Union in the contingency of an Hans Peter Doskozil, who introduced an soldiers were employed to that effect. Many escalating crisis. The Czech military assigned action plan designed to protect borders task force members already had previous soldiers from the 74th Light Motorised and citizens in CEDC countries. ”We will experience with cooperation with the Police Battalion Bučovice as a core complemented mutually support each other in the region of the Czech Republic. Under the lead of with the 7th Mechanised Brigade ”Dukla“, in terms of law enforcement, military and medical teams, they again trained first aid and servicemembers of the 13th Artillery civilian cooperation with the goal to protect and triage to be able to deliver first aid to Regiment and 41st Mechanised Battalion our borders. We want to make clear that we those in need. In addition, the impression Žatec and the Military Medical Agency walk the same path together, and we want from the exercise was intensified with a with 21 vehicles, primarily the Iveco Light present it in relevant way in Brussels too,“ ”border radio station “ that navigated the Multipurpose Vehicles. The Czech task force the Minister said. refugees in English and Arabic. had two infantry platoons that comprised medical teams and an experienced artillery Cooperation with Austrian recce guys They also speak Czech reconnaissance squad equipped to observe For the Czech service personnel, the The servicemembers environments under any conditions. primary goal was to integrate into the taught Czech soldiers how to provide The recce squad may be used for the Austrian 3rd reconnaissance battalion security to water border with motorboats performance of a wide range of missions and jointly rehearse building checkpoints and advanced surveillance systems. Soldiers A review 2/2017 33

guarded the water both from banks and from water level using patrol boats to check on rowboats possibly carrying suspects. This training factsheet event was a great experience for Czech soldiers. The Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) is The official language of the exercise was English, but there were a group of Central European countries: Czech Republic, enough Austrian soldiers who spoke fluent Czech, so it was no problem Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Poland to understand each other. The excellent job by military professionals was has an observer status. Its primary goal is to expand recognised in the conclusion of the exercise by top defence and armed defence cooperation, including sharing defence capabilities forces officials visiting the exercise. ”What we saw here was a detailed among the member states, joint interoperability training way how to protect the Schengen border when it is under mild or bigger and exercises. All CEDC countries are member states of the pressure. I must admit individual logistic steps have been developed into European Union and all are NATO nations except for Austria. the finest degree of detail. We all took lessons from the wave in 2015. The group started to form at the end of 2010 and the first The point here is to prevent uncontrolled border passing,“ said the Czech meeting of defence ministers took place in Frauenkirchen, Defence Minister Martin Stropnický. Austria, in June 2012. In spring 2016 (31 March – 1 April), by Michal Voska Vienna was the venue to the conference of defence ministers of the CEDC countries, Poland, Serbia, FYROM and Montenegro, with the European migration crisis on the agenda. Representatives of Germany and Greece were also invited but eventually did not take part. The countries jointly took the initiative in continuing to close the Balkan route and securing external frontiers. On June 19, 2017, the CEDC countries undertook in Prague to cooperate closely on handling illegal migration, including the use of military. One of the aims for the group is for the migrants seeking asylum in a European Union Member State to apply for it outside the EU. The CEDC countries furthermore agreed to design an action plan to divide tasks for individual armed forces, police and other agencies of the CEDC countries for the contingency of a joint operation. 34 A review 2/2017

Czech Field Surgery Team Operates in Afghanistan Hospital at the edge of Kabul The Military Medical Service performs the tasks of healthcare support of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic in peace and also across the spectrum of operations. The main task is the conservation of manpower, preservation of life and minimisation of residual physical and mental disabilities. This is just the case of the Resolute Support mission, where our doctors and paramedics not only save lives, but also treat trivial injuries.

Current conflicts show that warfare citizen is entitled to free health care and in tactics went through significant changes. accordance with Ordinance on Emergency The tactics of a broad front, as it used Services, 434/1992 Coll., primary health to be in World War II, is probably a past. care should be provided in 15 minutes from Most of today's war conflicts take place the telephone notification of emergency. in built-up areas in the form of firefights, Ideally, the patient should be provided terrorist attacks and suicide bombings. with surgical care in a health facility within This is in fact an asymmetric battleground. 60 minutes. The care provided to Czech During the conflict, we can expect massive soldiers in foreign operations must be also intakes of several dozen soldiers, but at the same level or at least approaching to hardly thousands of wounded persons the quality of health care provided in the a day. Fewer wounded people have higher territory of our state. The comparable care chances for high quality care and thus is also set down in NATO publications on even higher potentials to save their lives. medical support (Allied Joint Publications Pursuant to Article 31 of the Charter of 4-10, Allied Joint Medical Support with operating theatres and intensive Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, every Doctrine). health care rooms.

Different circumstances Evacuation chain Every doctor in the field knows that The standard evacuation chain of medical examination of the wounded individual medical phases is firmly will not be the same, as in a normal established in the NATO alliance. It is hospital, especially at an early stage, i.e. divided into individual medical treatment during close support on the battlefield. facilities, called ROLE. They are four, and However, in all phases of urgent treatment, each stage always provides only one kind patients must be sorted again and again, of medical care. The Role 1 – Regimental according to changes in their actual state Aid Post, Medical Section – is a medical of health and newly exposed facts. The treatment facility where we can stabilize situation is often complicated by natural fracture, pelvic circle, to restore ventilation, conditions, darkness, noise, confusion or deal with tension pneumothorax, to stop ongoing battle. It is necessary to know external bleeding. In fact, doing more is that the wounds in combat often occur at not possible. The treatment here leads to a great distance from the facility providing the restoration and partial stabilization of surgeries, so it is necessary to transport the essential vital functions. This ROLE with wounded by stages, within the available one doctor and several members of middle means. Usually it is air transport, i.e. medical staff is located in the areas of MEDEVAC. In each phase of the evacuation combat units; its activity can be compared of the wounded, they are transported to the activities of medical rescue service to a higher level medical establishment. in a civilian environment. Evacuation is From those of basic, the task of which is conducted, as has been said, towards to stabilize the patient first, to stop the a higher stage, i.e. on relatively safer and bleeding, etc., till the advanced aid stations, above all more equipped facility. A review 2/2017 35

Our doings infusions, etc. Further, in In our case, that is at the hospital at HKIA the hospital, there is all base, Kabul, this is the type of medical facility necessary equipment, ROLE 2, the so-called Field Ambulance. from X-rays, CTs and Resuscitation and supportive therapy are other, in fully separated wards. done here – as well as stabilization surgery. It is possible to attach traction to the limb, Experienced Medical Officer from the pelvis clamp, to introduce a chest drain, and Military University Hospital but, sorry to say, part of our work is even the like. Primarily, this facility is intended The commander of the 19th Field Surgery traumatic injuries when patients cannot be for the treatment of coalition soldiers; Team, Major Luděk Hana, explains the helped. A relatively quiet day can become but it was often used for civilian patients, running of the hospital and its structure. a nightmare, from minute to minute,“ said specifically for the treatment and aftercare "The Czech team currently provides about Major Hána, an experienced surgeon of of the people of Afghanistan (Kabul) 40% of the normal performance of the the Surgical Clinic of the Military University affected by war, such as shooting wounds, hospital. The hospital is multinational, Hospital Prague, who previously served as victims of landmines, and so on. One part under American command. However, we Chief of the 1st Surgery Group of the 6th of the hospital is fully adapted to these have our own hall adapted to us; of course Field Hospital of the Army of the Czech patients, but practically is not used; actually we also work with colleagues from Slovakia, Republic in Afghanistan. Between 2012 it is a backup in the case of mass casualties’ Albania, Australia, Denmark, Romania, and 2014, he was three times in foreign reception, the so-called "Mascal". There etc. Everything is directed by the current missions in Kabul as a surgeon of the Czech are three large wards. In the part that is need, i.e. by the extent of urgent reception Field Surgical Team within ISAF operation. used daily, we find "Emergency", i.e. urgent and the types of injuries to be treated. Among other things, he was awarded reception of patients and improvised, pre- Sometimes it is banality, e.g. injuries from the Medal of the Minister of Defence for prepared emergency rooms. You can see fitness centres in the base, but we also Service Abroad, Grade III, and the NATO similar settings in TV series from the medical encounter traumatic head injuries, we treat ISAF Medal. environment; single areas are separated various shooting injuries, including the only by a curtain. The arrangement of consequences of explosions of improvised Text and photos by Michal Voska each division is governed by a respective explosive devices, which could lead to team and is very diverse. Americans have subsequent amputations of the limbs. a different system of devices disposition, We have many successful interventions, 36 A review 2/2017

Czech Female Meteorologists in the Resolute Support Mission

factsheet The first weather measurements with the assistance of mechanical appliances were made in the French city of Clermont Ferrand in 1649. The first meteorological network of stations was established in Tuscany in 1652. In 1719-1720 at Zákupy near Česká Lípa, meteorological effects were measured. The Clementinum has been performing meteorological measurements since 1752. During the 19th century, the importance of meteorology increased in connection with the need to guarantee good conditions for armies and fleet movements, which meant developing procedures for mapping the movements of mainly sea storms. Modern weather forecasts use extensive mathematical models and try to determine with relatively high reliability how the weather The so-called will evolve over the coming days. Kabul Tree Frogs The sun and the most dangerous cloud causing the storms and Cumulonimbus tornado are two symbols that carry in its emblem female members of the meteorological station of Kabul International Airport. Behind these symbols, which are so characteristic for the sky above Kabul and the whole Afghanistan, there is often neglected, nevertheless indispensable effort of military meteorologists.

As in the Czech Republic, as well in the weather as a whole, but they are also of Czech meteorologists put into practice Afghanistan, no airport can do without an incredible psychic stimulus for their a new quality method of transmitting a meteorological station and this fact can surroundings. meteorological information to air traffic be confirmed especially by those who control authorities and now they are also are involved in flying, i.e. aircrews and air The knowledge of mountain focusing on the comprehensive processing traffic control authorities. The history of meteorology and efficient use of climate information the Czech contribution to meteorological Although the size of Afghanistan territory for their practice, mainly for the activities security at Kabul airport begins in 2004, is roughly the same as that of Germany, of their successors. A very important part when a pair of meteorologists – observers only nine functional meteorological of weather forecasting at Kabul airport is arrived in Afghanistan. Since then, the stations are located in this territory, some knowledge of mountain meteorology. number of Czech meteorologists in Kabul of them are not in constant operation and has changed, as the Czech Republic started some are only in an automatic regime, Subtropical climate to send to a mission also meteorologists providing limited data. This small number The specificity of the work of meteorologists – synoptists. Presently, two Czech female of active stations results in a small number in Afghanistan is linked to the geographical meteorologists, First Lieutenant Monika of input information needed to prepare location of the country – it is located in the R. and Master Sergeant Markéta B, serve good predictions. Another fact is that subtropical climate belt, so we can say that in Kabul. Both ladies complement an the territory of Afghanistan is located dry and hot summers prevail there, with international, five-member team and only in the marginal parts of all available occasional dust or dust storms, winter their vitality and constant good mood are numerical world models. The probability rains or snow, and spring thunderstorms. pleasure for the whole station. During our of a successful prediction is therefore The Hindu Kush Mountains, which are the visit at the end of May, it was a fabulous significantly smaller. On the other hand, foothills of the Himalayas and form a large refreshing, and after several days of in the information backed by TACMET part of Afghanistan, also affect the weather. restless Bagram it was also a pleasant lightning detector is a great asset for Kabul itself lies at an altitude of 1,800 m calming the situation. The ladies are able the meteorological station. In addition above sea level and is surrounded by not only to transmit flawless information to routine work in completely different mountains high 4,500 – 5,000 m above sea about the state of the atmosphere and climatic and working conditions, a group level. Meteorologists have to do without A review 2/2017 37

Where the balloon will fly The track of meteorological probes and the point of impact are determined by the current conditions in the atmosphere, especially by the direction and wind velocity. The balloon can end up literally anywhere. Of course, it is influenced by the height at which the balloon finally breaks, such conveniences as meteorological radar, and by the resistance of the burst balloon commonly available in the Czech Republic. remnants. Throughout the whole history, This complicates their work, especially whether in the Czech Republic or in the during periods of spring storms and world, including Afghanistan, there has winter snowfall. On the other hand, there never been a case that the meteorological is a significant help in terms of outputs of numerical forecasting models (Aladin et al.), periodically sent to meteorologists in Kabul by a hydro meteorological detachment of the Military Geographic and Hydrometeorologic Office (VGHMÚř). It should be noted that the weather forecasts in Kabul can never be as accurate as in the Czech Republic, where there are plenty of sophisticated background materiels. In spite of that, the probability of their forecasts, under the local conditions, is excellent.

Balloons also help Both Markéta and Monika, our female meteorologists, use or launch balloons twice a day, with a series of sensors and thus contribute to monitoring the situation. For the sensitive Vaisala RS92 radiosonde system, two balloon dimensions are used. In the first case, there is a balloon carrying only the radiosonde, in the latter case balloon would have endangered airport the system is supplemented by an ozone traffic, not to mention the direct threat of sensor. The procedure before launching is aircraft. However, prior to each launch, they always the same. The system control unit ask the airport control tower for permission. is connected to the base in a calibration Approval is usually issued in turn or in a few device to optimize the data. At that minutes. All communication, of course, point it connects to a special battery that takes place in English, the weather station drives the entire system. Previously it was has an international representation and the necessary to "soar" the battery before same is on the control tower. The balloon is starting, it is no longer needed. "Do you raised to a height at high speed; it cannot want to write a message on the balloon?" be seen during a tiny moment. Even the Always smiling Master Sergeant Markéta attentive eye of the pilots is hardly able to is joking when filling the helium balloon, notice a balloon, but the pilots know very but the truth is that the balloon can fly well about a starting/flying balloon. Besides, upwards hundreds of kilometres and reach the design of modern aircraft is resistant to almost the stratosphere... Radiosonde potential collisions. What's more, the shock ends somewhere on the ground. This wave in front of the aircraft would prevent method of measurement has been used the balloon probe from colliding with the also in the Czech Republic, or in the aircraft directly. By launching the balloon former , since 1957. At the and reading the measured values the work beginning, the measurement took place at of our female meteorologists does not end, Kbely and Ruzyně airports, then launching many other tasks must be handled, regular balloons moved to a probe station Prague- reports, charts, and all that, regardless of Libuš. At selected periods, in the alternate the dangers Afghanistan offers. Both ladies intervals, at 6 a.m. and at 6 p.m., world are professional and the younger of them, time, only the altitudinal wind, its direction First Lieutenant Monika R., when asked and speed, were measured. But since 1974, about what she lacked in Afghanistan, only complex measurements have been laughs from ear to ear, saying: "Nothing, performed at Libuš, covering pressure, I'm quite happy here," which completely temperature, humidity. From those data, disarmed us and the laughter so much they calculated the height; from a balloon needed on the base dominated... position wind speed and its direction. Text and photos by Michal Voska 38 A review 2/2017

“The Seven” Completed the Exercise with The National Guards of Nebraska and Texas

Intel Staff During the summer months, members of the 7th Mechanized Brigade "Dukelská" took part in two exercises in the United States of America. Thus they deepened the current cooperation of the brigade with the Nebraska and Texas National Guards, for which the Czech Republic has been a partner country since 1993. Since 2016, this mutual cooperation has been also grounded in the so-called State Partnership Program, which is US Department of Defence’s program of partnership between National Guards of 50 American States and the armies of 73 countries.

The aim of this programme is to maintain themselves with a local Code of conduct mutually beneficial military cooperation and attended lessons about security rules to ensure the security of participating and behaviour in the military training countries, through the exchange of training area and at the base. During the transfer activities and training programmes that to Fort Riley Army Base, they visited the enable stablishing close contacts between National World War I Museum in Kansas soldiers and commanders of partner City, Missouri. The visit received positive countries and states of similar size. The first feedback both from the Czech soldiers, as exercise, called Intel Staff Nebraska, took well as from the local population. Part of place in the states of Nebraska and Kansas, this museum is also the Memorial, which where the Nebraska National Guard uses is special, because it was funded only by the Fort Riley training area. In addition to US local citizens and traders. Upon the arrival military professionals and reservists, there at the base, reconnaissance soldiers of the were also about thirty members of recce Bn 7th Mechanized Brigade were associated teams and those of the Headquarters of the with an infantry recce company, while 7th Mechanized Brigade "Dukelská". The members of the Brigade Headquarters first two days our soldiers spent in Lincoln were incorporated in 1-134 Cavalry town, Nebraska, the state with the largest Squadron Staff, Nebraska National Guard. community of inhabitants with Czech roots, The marksman training followed, from where a series of training and lessons was small guns and gun-carriages, completed held. by day and night live shootings. At the end the participants were appraised A seven-hour time shift with the use of audio records of radio Upon arrival to the United States, communications in the vehicle with members of the 7th Mechanized Brigade the unit commander. To measure the had to deal with a seven-hour shift in movement of the vehicle and the activity time first, after that they familiarized of each individual soldier, even thermal A review 2/2017 39 cameras were used. Instead of drilling force deployment in high intensity conflicts was demonstrated at the top of the training combat gunfire, one of reconnaissance show the indispensability of covert – in the shooting of couples and teams. The companies trained short-range warfare, the reconnaissance units. In the final phase of fact that they might be a model for their so-called CQC (Close Quarters Combat). the exercise, our soldiers participated in counterparts was also appreciated by the The CQC is the concept of a small unit ZODIAC operation, which was a several- Deputy Commander of 3-141 Infantry. The tactics, confronting the enemy at distances day reconnaissance, as well as another reward for our soldiers was a chance to try of up to 100 meters, including hand-to- live shooting and reviewing the process of weapons they had not met before, including hand combat. planning and management. sniper systems and mortars. The second part of the Texas rotation group had the Landing on the water American marksmanship badges opportunity to familiarize with the training The culmination of the first training The second combined exercise with of the 56th Infantry Brigade, which was at week was HELOCAST operation, during American soldiers called Intel Texas took a higher level of training than the already which Czech soldiers practiced the landing place at the end of August. The Czech mentioned 72nd Infantry Brigade. Based technique, used to deploy smaller teams Republic was represented by members on contacts with their direct counterparts, onto the water surface. As soon as the of the command staff, 7th Mechanized they were able to find out how individual helicopter reaches the drop point, it slows Brigade "Dukelská", and all its subordinate branches worked, in what they were close down and flies only a few feet above the battalions, a total of 28 soldiers. Their to, and vice versa, in what they were surface. From the cargo platform, the boat partners were members of the 56th different. It was positive to find that the is dropped and then the soldiers, one after and 72nd Infantry Brigades of the Texas differences were not large. There was much another, jump into the water. The operation National Guard. After arriving in Austin, more in common, whether in terms of the was also personally attended by Brigadier the capital of Texas, a state with a distinct number of soldiers in individual places of General Patric D. Frank, Commander of the Czech track in its history, our soldiers split work, or their tasks and resources, which 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army, Fort Riley, into two groups. The group of members they used to fulfil their assigned tasks. and Commander of the Nebraska National of reconnaissance battalions of the 7th The staff also had a chance to become Guard Major General Daryl L. Bohac. Both Mechanized Brigade was practically acquainted with the activities of the generals performed parachute jumps, just in immediately involved in training the Recce Military Police Company and the process line with Czech soldiers. Besides the position Platoon, 3-141 Infantry, which was in fact of assigning suspects in a field prison of Division Commander, Brigadier General a challenge for them, mainly due to the facility. A real treat was the demonstration Frank is also acting as the Commander minimal time for adaptation to time shift. of a 105mm towed howitzer with a detailed of the Training Garrison. "I appreciate However, their acclimatization was helped explanation of call for fire process and also your discipline, professionalism and high by a similar weather, as the temperatures the demonstration of offensive operation standards of deployment," commended the in time of the departure from the Czech with occupying a complex of buildings and performance of Czech soldiers Brigadier Republic were close to those in Texas, i.e. follow-up deployment of the UH-60 "Black General Frank, after the end of the around 34-38 °C. Early commencement of Hawk" helicopters. operation. During the debate with soldiers, training and the move to Fort Hood, so as an experienced military commander, soon after the arrival, was due to the need Deepening trust and cooperation he stressed the need to maintain ground for our soldiers to prove that they were able The ultimate renowned "icing on the reconnaissance capabilities and urged not to reliably handle US infantry weapons. cake" was a meeting in the Texas Capitol with to overrate air airborne vehicles, equipment They all proved their professionalism Texas Secretary of State Roland B. Pablos, and modern technology, as the trends in almost immediately, when three days after one of Texas' six-member government. their arrival; all soldiers won American The State Secretary administration also Marksmanship Qualification Badges, covered international relations. After including the highest, "Expert". While the the presentation, State Secretary Pablos reconnaissance scouts were immediately emphasized the Czech tradition in Texas. thrown into training, the staff members His military advisors confirmed that the had the opportunity to get acquainted with Army of the Czech Republic is actually the military history of Texas and the Texas the oldest military partner of the Texas National Guard. This was made possible National Guard and that cooperation by the assignment to the staff of the 56th would continue at the already established Infantry Brigade, which had a shifted high level. In conclusion, we can say that training cycle, compared to the 72nd exercises in both Nebraska and Texas were Infantry Brigade, in which our scouts were beneficial to both sides. We have found trained. Our scouts demonstrated their that even our soldiers in the basic positions high quality to their American counterparts. can be a model of professionalism and But it should be remembered that the thus be models for their counterparts from Texas National Guard is formed mostly of the Texas National Guard. On the contrary, volunteers participating in training in the what we can still learn from Americans is training area once a year and is therefore respect for the combat history of their unit, more similar to our Active Reserve. national pride and military history at all, Moreover, our soldiers met a National where the roots of individual units could be Guard unit, which was only in the third year traced back often to the 18th century. of a five-year training cycle. by 1LT Lucie Heiserová and CAPT Dušan Pecha. Shooting from the 105mm howitzer Photos: Archives of the 7th Mechanized Brigade The training that took place there was focused on shooting and manoeuvring, the areas that our soldiers know perfectly, which 40 A review 2/2017

Units of the 4th Brigade Task Force Improved themselves in Combined The Plumed Field Exercise at MTA Hradiště Day and night live-firing, tactical airdrops, survival Serpent under difficult conditions and long-distance movements. These and other tactical Enhanced the activities tested a total of 1,500 troops of the Brigade Task Force (Bde TF), built up of from the 4th Rapid Coordination Deployment Brigade, within two weeks, at the Hradiště Military Training Area in the of All Units Doupov Mountains.

"In addition to the Command of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, our attention was focused on the preparation of battalion task forces (Bn TF) of the 41st Mechanized Battalion and the 43rd Airborne Battalion. And it was the very Bn TF, which was preparing for a follow-up control according to the CREVAL methodology as part of 4 Bde TF, that was ordered to demonstrate the capabilities, necessary to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our republic for Alliance operations of collective defence, under Articles 4 and 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty," informs Colonel Roman Náhončík, Commander of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade.

Bren and Phantom take the lead The soldiers were not only drilling dynamic shooting with the assault rifle CZ 805 Bren and the CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom A review 2/2017 4141 pistol – the main weapons of the brigade for near and far targets – but they also tried Brigadier General Ivo Střecha, fast shooting, in a very short time limit. Deputy Commander of the Land Forces, Army of the Czech Republic "They improved here especially in shooting The deployment of units of the 4th Brigade Task Force during the Plumed Serpent in a variety of situations and environments," exercise was the most important exercise this year, which tested not only the explains Warrant Officer Vratislav Louda, professional preparation of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, but also the instructor of marksmanship's course, 4th preparation of combat support units and in smaller units, platoon and company, Rapid Deployment Brigade. "Their task was also logistic support. Simultaneously, during the deployment of a substantial part to learn how to work together in a pair of of the 4th Brigade Task Force, individual capabilities were integrated, the process of soldiers, from behind obstacles exchanging planning, organization, management was reviewed, as well as comprehensive combat their weapons, shooting in the room, support of individual staffs of manoeuvre and support units, in particular the staff of but also the use of covers and different the 4th Brigade Task Force. The exercise was essentially important in the context of positions, and they had to manage the testing the level of current units' capabilities for an actual task awaiting the unit in repair of defects in weapons during the the coming year, namely the international certification of the 43rd Airborne Battalion shooting. Night shooting was an integral according to the CREVAL methodology, and ensuring the deployment of the Czech part of it." Army's contingent to the EFP operation, within the Battlegroup led by the Federal These shootings are designed to bring Republic Germany. the real situation to the soldiers as close as possible. It is important for them not only to improve their shooting, but they also must perfectly master correct battle only a tenth of the tasks that support units incidents for the soldiers, who thus had drills with weapons. "These shooting drills had to do," says Captain Němec. to meet not only the assigned tasks, but increase the level of handling the small In the following days, the soldiers also they had to respond to unexpected guns and soldiers then acquire the ability improved their skills with other equipment incidents. Individual soldiers were not to use them spontaneously in real combat," that Red Berets use. "On the fire range, familiar with incidents, so they had to the marksmanship instructor comments they drilled shooting from other small respond immediately to the situation," said this drill system. arms, transportable anti-tank weapons Captain Němec and adds that all combat and mortars." To be exact, from Glock situations were carried out under the close Support elements are important for guns, Bren 2 assault rifles, external supervision of control officers who will a combat unit 40mm grenade launchers, or MINIMI evaluate individual incidents. "This time, the As part of this training, they also tested guns," informs Captain Milan Němec, control was at the level of the Commander and improved their ability to support Public Relations Officer for the 4th Rapid of 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade Colonel real-field activities, directly in the field. Deployment Brigade. "An important part Roman Náhončík, but the next exercise The logisticians had therefore the task of the Hradiště was also a dynamic training will take place under the supervision of of supporting units both materially and in driving Pandur vehicles, which are a key international observers," Captain Němec technically, over the course of fourteen element of the unit's equipment." added in conclusion. days in the field, in any weather, in hard- to-reach terrain, during the daytime and by Jana Deckerová, photos by Captain Milan Němec at night. "Logistic support for units is Simulated incidents a prerequisite for completing a combat The core of the "Plumed Serpent" exercise operation. From the establishment of was to examine the integration of the 43rd communications, repair of damaged Airborne Battalion Chrudim and the 41st vehicles, till transporting persons, materiel Mechanized Battalion Žatec. However, also and equipment. Preparing and handing out other supporting units from the whole rations is also important for the soldiers, Army of the Czech Republic arrived in the also dog-handlers performed their tasks Military Domain Hradiště. “As part of the of guarding the Command Post. But it was exercise there were prepared simulated 42 A review 2/2017

in 2016 ACRCZECH SERVICE PERSONNEL IN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY STRUCTURES NATO In 2016, a total of 213 Czech Armed Forces service personnel were assigned and posted in NATO and EU international military staffs, NATO and EU agencies and national representations OTAN in international military staffs in the locations in fifteen NATO nations and in Ukraine. Permanent missions and workplaces in foreign countries Personnel Czech Armed Forces General Petr Pavel has served his second year as the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Rotation Permanent mission in Mons: Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands, positions of Deputy Chief of Staff Joint Force Command (JFC) 146 in Brunssum, the Netherlands, and the Chief of Staff of the Joint Norway, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, , Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom Force Training Centre (JFTC) Bydgoszcz, Poland, were newly filled Permanent mission in Brussels: in August 2016. The Czech Republic also filled the civilian position 60 of the Dean of NATO Defense College (NADEFCOL) Rome, Italy. Belgium Another involvement was realised in the NATO Force Integration Permanent mission in Norfolk: 7 Unit (NFIU), specifically in , Slovakia. USA Total 213

ENGAGEMENT IN READINESS FORCES, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND OBSERVER MISSIONS IN 2016

NATO enhanced Response Force (eNRF) For eNRF 2016, the Czech Armed Forces assigned 816 personnel from 1 January through 31 December 2016. They formed an SOF task force (100 personnel), Special Operations Air Task Unit (100 personnel), airborne company (220 personnel), CBRN company (240 personnel), HUMINT team (6 personnel) and an engineer company (130 personnel). The forces were augmented with logistic support.

EU Battle Group In support of V4 EUBG, the MoD assigned forces and assets totalling 850 personnel from 1 January through 30 June 2016. The Czech Republic assumed the lead nation role in the domain of medical and logistic support. Further, the Czech Armed Forces assigned a helicopter unit with four Mi-171Sh helicopters, C-295M CASA transport aircraft, EOD specialist team and the National Support Element (NSE). Over sixty Czech military professionals stood ready to serve in the Operation Headquarters in Krakow, Poland, and the Force Headquarters. For the DEU EUBG, the MoD assigned forces and assets comprising 250 personnel from 1 July through 31 December 2016. That primarily involved an infantry force protection company, CIMIC/PSYOPS team, CBRN defence platoon, EOD team, MP team, additional specialists and the National Support Team (NSE). A review 2/2017 43

FOREIGN OPERATIONS Operation EUNAVFOR MED, Italy The Czech Republic was involved in the operation with In 2016, the MoD joined 12 foreign operations in the territory of 2 officers posted in the Operation Headquarters (OHQ) Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United in Rome, and 1 officer at the Force Headquarters (FHQ) Kingdom, Italy, Mali, , Iraq and the Golan Heights. In total, more located on an Italian Navy aircraft carrier. than 860 service personnel were deployed for those operations. EUTM-M, Mali Operation Joint Enterprise (KFOR), Kosovo The Czech Republic was involved with a Czech Armed The Czech contribution comprised 13 Czech Armed Forces EUTM Mali Task Force comprising 41 personnel. Forces personnel including 3 members of the Deployable Three senior NCOs were assigned to Operation Head­ Communication Module (DCM), who served tours at quarters in Bamako and 36 persons were assigned HQ KFOR in the Camp Film City in Pristina. to provide protection to the Headquarters EUTM-M in Bamako and convoy security. Four instructors provide assistance on training Malian Resolute Support Mission, Afghanistan Armed Forces in the frame of a German Infantry Training Company www..int/kfor The Czech Republic was involved in the Resolute Support24 KFOR CHRONICLE 12/2016 in the Koulikoro and Sikasso training centres. mission in the territory of Afghanistan in 2016 in the area of responsibility of two regional Train, Advise and Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), Arab Republic of Egypt, Sinai Assist Commands: TAAC-Capital (TAAC-C) and TAAC-East The Czech Republic was involved in MFO with 3 officers (TAAC-E). posted at HQ MFO and an air unit with C-295 CASA aircraft comprising 15 personnel. The air unit provided transport of TAAC-C – Kabul: the forces listed below operated at Hamid Karzai persons and materiel among MFO camps, Cairo and Tel Aviv, International Airport (HKIA): transport of governmental and liaison representatives of the parties zz Czech Armed Forces HQ TF RSM comprising 35 personnel to the peace treaty, and partially also the (SAR) and charged with the provision of comprehensive support for all air MEDEVAC. In addition, they performed verification and observer Czech units in Afghanistan; flights. zz Air Advisory Team (AAT) of 40 personnel with the mission to sup­ port training of flight and ground personnel of on Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters; zz Field Surgical Team (FST) comprising 15 personnel as part of UNDOF, Golan Heights U.S. medical facility; The Czech Republic was involved in the mission with zz Representations in HQ RSM, HKIA and BAF comprising 17 per- 3 officers assigned to the operation headquarters at Camp ­sonnel; Ziouani. zz DCM (Deployable Communication Module) comprising 9 per­- son­nel. MINUSMA, Mali The Czech Republic engaged in the mission with 1 officer posted TAAC-E: the Czech Armed Forces Bagram Airfield (BAF) Force at the headquarters in Bamako and by deploying a special Protection Company was deployed in Parwan province as part of operations forces unit comprising 25 personnel that operated TAAC-E. The FPC performed the assignment of providing security from a camp in the Gao region in the north of the country. in their assigned area with total 169 personnel. Air Advisory Team (AAT), Iraq Further, a 20-strong detachment of the 601st Special Forces At the end of June 2016, Air Advisory Team comprising 35 personnel Group was stationed in Kabul with the mission to provide security deployed in the territory of the Republic of Iraq with the mission to personnel and property of the Czech Embassy in Kabul including to provide training and mentoring to the Iraqi Air Force flight and the Czech Ambassador’s residence. ground personnel on L-159 aircraft. The AAT is stationed at Balad Air Force Base. ASICIPPN, Iceland The Czech Republic was involved in the provision of air Field Surgical Team (FST), Iraq policing coverage to Iceland by deploying four JAS-39 On 5 December 2016, the field surgical team comprising 17 per­ Gripen aircraft (plus one backup fighter) and a total sonnel­ deployed in the territory of the Republic of Iraq to operate of 66 personnel. Including the stand-up and stand- in the structure of a U.S. ROLE 2 field medical facility with the mission down phase, the Czech task force was deployed at Keflavik airbase to provide specialised surgical care, perform specialist activities from September 25 through November 7, 2016. The operational in the domain of resuscitative surgery, anaesthesiology, peri-op care assignment was performed from October 5-31, 2016. and medical evacuation.

Operation EU ALTHEA (EUFOR), Bosnia and Herzegovina The Czech Republic participated with 2 officers who OBSERVER MISSIONS performed tasks associated with training the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina at operation headquarters In 2016 nine Czech Armed Forces military observers served tours at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo. in four UN peace missions. MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of the Congo) – 3 personnel Operation EU NAVFOR ATALANTA, United Kingdom UNMIK (Kosovo) – 2 personnel The Czech Republic engaged in the operation with UNAMA (Afghanistan) – 1 personnel 2 officers and one senior non-commissioned officer MINUSCA (Republic of Central Africa) – 3 personnel who served at the Operation Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, UK. 44 A review 2/2017

TRAINING FOCUS AND PRIORITIES IN 2016

The training of Czech Armed Forces focused on meeting SABER STRIKE the Czech Republic’s membership commitments to NATO and Held on May 27–30, 2016, the exercise was designed to increase EU, commitments in the domain of regional defence cooperation the capability of individual Czech Armed Forces and Military and last but not least on maintaining and developing the existing Police components in planning and supporting transiting convoys capabilities of individual components for the spectrum of operations of Allied forces (US ARMY 2nd Cavalry Regiment) via the territory in both symmetric and asymmetric environments. Exercise Hradba of the Czech Republic, practice the capability of the provision 2016 was organised as the largest exercise ever to train the active of logistic support to Allied forces and perform a joint training reserve component. and experience sharing between U.S. Army and the Czech Land An integral part of the Czech Armed Forces training were Forces. The U.S. forces transited the Czech territory to take part 145 exercises with international partners, of which 94 took in NATO exercise SABER STRIKE 2016 in the Baltics. The efforts place outside the Czech Republic and 51 in the home territory. to support the movement involved 800 Czech Armed Forces Those exercises were one of the key tools for the achievement servicemembers. of the necessary readiness of MoD forces and assets for the defence of the Czech Republic and Allies and an essential component AMPLE STRIKE 2016 of preparation of assigned forces for operations and for NATO, The exercise was organised on August 30 – September 20, 2016, EU and UN standby readiness forces. Exercises with foreign to integrate forward air controllers with tactical fixed and rotary partners also help increase force interoperability, practically verify aircrews in performance of close air support. The exercise saw the achieved level of integration and also offer a benchmark the participation of 1,022 Czech Armed Forces service personnel for effectiveness of Czech Armed Forces training and capability and 292 foreign armed forces personnel. development. CLEAN CARE 2016 Held on September 16-23, 2016, the exercise objective was MAJOR EXERCISES WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN THE HOME to perform joint training for CBRN defence forces and medical TERRITORY units on consequence management following the use of weapons of mass destruction. The exercise trained 77 Czech Armed Forces CJ CBRN Defence TF Exercise servicemembers and 53 foreign trainees. Conducted on May 23 – June 9, 2016, this was a certification exercise of the Headquarters of the CBRN multinational battalion with the Czech Republic as the lead nation. The battalion was assigned to the NATO Response Force in 2017. The exercise also trained 40 foreign members of the battalion. A review 2/2017 45

MAJOR EXERCISES WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS OUTSIDE THE HOME TERRITORY

EUROPEAN SPIRIT Taking place on April 18–29, 2016, this was a certification exercise of a European Union Battle Group with standby in the second semester of 2016. It was held in the territory of Germany, which was the lead nation for the EUBG at the same time. Assigned components of the Czech Land Forces, Military Medical Agency and the Military Police comprising 154 personnel took part in the exercise.

BALTIC EYE On May 9-16, 2016, and on July 11-18, 2016, this exercise trained pilots for NATO Air Policing and harmonised the Czech Air Force and operations on the provision of defence to an airbase and assigned airspace against the opponent’s air assault assets. Organised in Lithuanian airspace, the exercise saw the participation of 60 service personnel of the 21st Tactical Air Force Base with four L-159 ALCA aircraft.

KHAAN QUEST Conducted on May 15 – June 6, 2016, the exercise in the territory of Mongolia focused on training commanding officers and specialists of reconnaissance units in particular for operational deployments in difficult climatic conditions. The exercise was a part of predeployment training the Czech Armed Forces service personnel underwent for operations in EUTM Mali. Fifty service personnel of the 53rd Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Battalion and the 7th Mechanised Brigade were assigned to that training event.

MOUNTAIN FLIGHT 2016 Held from May 25 through June 10, 2016, in , the exercise was designed to train helicrews in flying in mountain terrain including formation flights and practising operation and tactical procedures for foreign deployments. Missions were flown with three Mi-171Sh, an Mi-17 helicopter and two Mi-24/35 rotary wing aircraft of the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base and 24th Transport Air Force Base with a total of 61 aircrews and personnel.

TOBRUQ LEGACY 2016 The TOLY16 joint tactical exercise trained ground based air defence units from Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and the United States took place in the territory of Slovakia from September 17 through October 1, 2016. A Czech Air Force task force comprising 180 personnel represented the Czech Republic. Service personnel of the 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment formed the core of the task force. The exercise objective was to increase interoperability of NATO GBAD forces.

SLOVAK SHIELD 2016 Organised on September 25 – October 16, 2016, this was an annual military training exercise for Visegrad Four countries organised pursuant to the Joint V4 training strategy. U.S. and German forces also joined the exercise. In the years ahead, the exercise will be hosted by V4 countries on rotational basis. The Czech Republic will organise the annual V4 exercise in 2019. In 2016, the Czech Armed Forces contributed into the exercise a 130-strong unit from the order of battle of the 7th Mechanised Brigade.

TOXIC LEAK I–V An exercise series held in the Chemical, Biologic, Radiological and Nuclear Defence training and test centre in Zemianské Kostolany, Slovakia, to hone the skills of CBRN defence specialists in the pres­ ence of live chemical warfare agents, it took five times seven days and saw the participation of 75 Czech Armed Forces service personnel. 46 A review 2/2017

Military Art Ensemble Ondráš Touring Japan

Konnichiwa, Ondras

From Tokyo, Honshu, via Fukuoka on Kyushu Island, all these are the venues where dancers and musicians of the Military Art Ensemble Ondráš performed their programme. During twenty-four performances in sold-out halls, there applauded over twelve thousand enthusiastic Japanese audience. Anna Burianová, spokeswoman and at the same one of female dancers of the ensemble, both shared with us the story of Czech folklore in the Land of the Rising Sun and also something new about the Japanese peculiarities.

Fifteen dance couples, seven musicians countries, and through the Ondráš they Tokyo. We spent a lot of time travelling and one female singer were on stage came to know our national folklore. and moving to places of our performances, almost every day. Despite the busy almost all over Japan. We spent no more schedule, its members had the opportunity Every day on stage than three days in a place, and then we to learn Japanese culture, from the temples "We have been performing for six weeks, went on again.” to the pagodas, to taste Japanese food, to and it was almost every day," says Anna The tour was time consuming. Movements, know the nature of the Japanese, typically Burianová, spokeswoman for the ensemble, preparations for performances, performance reserved. In some cities, they were housed but also one of female dancers. "We flew in itself, accommodation. "But it has one big in families and found that the Japanese to Tokyo where we spent almost nine days, advantage," says Anna Burianová. "Because are a very musical nation, proud of their then our tour continued to Honshu Island we actually performed almost every day, country and traditions. Maybe it's because and further to Fukuoka on the island of the stage fewer gradually disappeared they are interested in the history of other Kyushu, and finally we ended up again in and we became confident. Many of us A review 2/2017 47 are amateurs and we have about twenty many of us were used to take shower even performances during the season. That's in the morning." why it was a great experience for us in Japan, and what we learned we took home. Fresh fish and sushi It was also beneficial that, although we The Japanese are people who live to were almost forty, we had to work as one a great age. This is certainly caused by team. It was an experience of not paying." a healthy diet, consisting of fresh fish, fruits and vegetables and a large amount of rice. One-and-a-half year preparations All the Japanese eat with the chopsticks Preparations for the Japanese tour took which they handle perfectly. "Rice plays a year and a half. The programme was a leading role and they eat it almost to compiled from traditional repertoire and everything," the pleasant spokeswoman some numbers were revised. Most of the recalls eating throughout their stay. dances were from Bohemia and , „They served amazing fresh fish, lots of Slovakia was represented by the Kubra vegetables prepared in various ways, as dance. Czech lands and Moravia were hot soups that were sold at every corner represented by Holubička and Mateníky even early morning, the Japanese eat them dances. for breakfast on the way to work. Street The ensemble already participated twice vendors are very clean, so you are not to in similar trips to the Land of the Rising Sun. be afraid to eat anything on the street. And They took place in 2002 and 2008. "Even of course we did not forget to taste their this year, we also received an invitation famous sushi. As in our country are popular from a Japanese manager who specializes the performances of the Ondráš ensemble. fast foods with burgers, similarly popular in in similar tours," says Anna Burianová. "That's why we always set aside two dance Japan there are sushi, everywhere." The Japanese audience was a bit unusual couples to take photos with the Japanese," In the town of Fukuoka, the ensemble for our ensemble. "The Japanese are very the spokeswoman said. "They immediately was quartered in pairs in families. So, there respectful of others, so nobody is surprised packed around, with cameras or mobiles was an opportunity to penetrate under if he meets someone with a mask on his in their hands, and photographed and the Japanese hat. "Someone was invited mouth," recalls an unusual look at the photographed. When they became more to dinner at the restaurant, I had a dinner audience Anna Burianová. courageous, they also took pictures with in the family," recalls one female member "It was a rarity for us. There is also us, of course, selfies were not missing. of the group. "The food at home did not discipline, so the applause was always But they also admired our costumes and differ much from the restaurant, the basis very short. "But the fact that they were touched them." was a large box of rice, each had a bowl enthusiastic about our performance, we and there were lots of other dishes on the knew at the end of the show, when we had Baggage up to 30 kilos table, from which everyone took what he to give several encores in succession. Dancers are used to perform every dance wanted. We enjoyed it very much. On the in the costume that belongs to the song. road we ate in shopping centres and mostly Selfie during the breaks "In our performances at home we took with it was sushi again. Who did not like it, he The programme lasted for ninety us lot of costumes," says Anna Burianová. had a problem what to eat. minutes, the house was always full. There For that reason it was a big problem for were even five hundred thousand people us to minimize everything and put all in History and also contemporary life on the show. "Performances started about a suitcase, weighing no more than thirty All performances by the Military Art at half past one in the afternoon, so the kilos. What was interesting for us was the Ensemble Ondráš had a great response audiences were mostly older people, fact that the Japanese washed only in cold in Japan. From the stage to the audience, predominantly women," explains Burian. water. The advantage was that we could put dancers and musicians sent so much "There were not many children, and the all colours together, laundry was washed energy that warmed up blood even in male audience was also in the minority. But and it really did not dye. We were shaking otherwise very quiet Japanese. It is safe to the great experience for us was workshops, in our boots so that, for example, white say that applauses and encores convinced where we taught Japanese dance couples shirts did not change in pink," the female the ensemble that Czech and Moravian our dances. They welcomed us with a tea dancer smiles. folklore scored in Japan. "It was a great ritual, which is an expression of respect for But the story with that water was not experience for our ensemble, many of them. The teaching of our dances followed, the last surprise. The Japanese have almost us were on such a tour for the first time," the Japanese in Wallachian folk costumes for everything their special rules, which Anna Burianová adds in conclusion. "It was whirled around and imitated us perfectly. might have looked strange. It also involved a great experience for us to know Japanese We met children as part of the agreed showering. The principle of Japanese country a bit more than it is possible during programmes in schools, they were in large bathing does not consist in washing the a regular trip and to discover not only the numbers in the gyms. First of all, our dancers body, but mainly in its regeneration. Before history and traditions of Japan but also its taught them steps, then the musicians entering a large soaking tub, the so- present-day life." joined, and the gym was moving. In return, called ofuro, they took shower in a shower by Jana Deckerová, as a part of the workshop, the Japanese cubicle, sitting on a seat, and only then photos: Military Art Ensemble Ondráš showed us a perfect choreography of the bathtub follows. It is filled with hot Lúčnica, which they completely copied to water and in it the whole family gradually the last detail. And they only learned it bathes," Anna Burianová explains. "Right at from a mere video record." the beginning, we were told that we could The Japanese are known for their only take shower from five pm till eleven constant photographing everything and thirty pm, which was strange to us, because everyone. This was proved even during From the tragic accident of Staff Captain Josef Ocelka history will pass seventy-five years these days

planned posts, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and began intensive training so that the air unit could intervene as soon as possible in the . Man of Steel On the night of September 10, 1940, he took part in the first bomber operation of this unit. During the raid at the Brussels station The two largest passenger he piloted one of the three Wellingtons. aircraft of Kbely Air Base, Weaker characters were horrified Airbus A-319s, are named His skills surpassed everyone even in after Karel Janoušek and Great Britain. Already in January 1941 he Josef Ocelka, prominent was promoted to Squadron Leader and took command of the B flight. Also in this war veterans of the Second case he applied his mind and cleverness. He World War. From the death quickly adopted a method of minimizing the possibility of hitting the airplane by of the later mentioned, enemy anti-aircraft artillery. The method it will pass seventy-five was from a former Operation Officer of the 311th Squadron, the famous S/L Percy C. years these days. Pickard, who always flew to a place, where the antiaircraft grenade had just exploded. He believed that in the same places the Josef Ocelka came from Haná (Hanakia), Germans would not shoot twice. The fact Central Moravia. He was born in a small that Josef Ocelka was never shot down, town of Lipník upon the Bečva river – Nový showed that he was right. Ocelka's effort Dvůr. After graduating from the state to hit the target at all costs was almost secondary school in 1928, he volunteered fanatical, and the weaker personalities to join the army. He first studied the College were horrified. In the fiercest fire he flew of Infantry Reserve Officers at Opava and to the target even four times to allow the then, from 1929 to 1931, he studied the navigator to drop the bombs exactly on Military Academy at Hranice, Moravia. completed pilot training for at the target. His victorious and It was no coincidence that later in Britain Châteauroux. Ocelka got married before the personal example gained him respect and his comrades nicknamed him “of steel”. occupation of Czechoslovakia and leaving popularity. His fame spread beyond the His muscular, almost two meters tall figure abroad. In Nanterre near Paris, he learned Czechoslovak unit. gave respect. In addition to it, he was also that his son was born. The comrades-in- an excellent sportsman. And so he began arms congratulated him, but no one knew He got the Cross as the first one his professional military career as a platoon at that time that he would never see his son. He was famous for his effort to accomplish commander of a mountain battalion at However, the situation on the French front the mission at any cost. Even with airplanes Ružomberok. Everything affirmed that did not develop too well for the Allies. The that were not technically well and during he would continue in the career of a very retreat battles were literally devastating. a flight they had some defects. In the successful infantry officer. However, after As a result, Ocelka failed to take part in course of the operation flight, on the night five years of service in mountain troops, the fighting. After the defeat of France, of 27-28 March, shortly after take-off, the he discovered the Air Force. He started as he evacuated to Great Britain. He became airplane operator reported that a dynamo an aerial observer of arms, and then he one of the founding members of the 311th had been ruptured, which at the same went through posts with patrol aviation Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron. Based on time caused a radio failure, and it could be and later bomber aviation. He belonged to the source of a malfunction of the entire the best officers of the First Republic army. electrical equipment of the airplane. On the His professional references were always factsheet basis of this imminent danger, Ocelka could above average. The commander of the The formation of the 311th Czechoslovak have ordered an immediate return to the 1st Mountain Brigade Brigadier General Bomber Squadron took place on July 29, base. Instead, he decided to continue the Bohuslav Kálal described him as a model 1940. During a five-year operation, first operational flight. He managed to find the officer. In September 1938, his squadron within the Bomber Command and then target and run bombs on it. Even without commander, Lieutenant Colonel Josef with the Coastal Command, its aircraft flew radio sets, the airplane returned to England, Hanuš, gave him this credential: "He likes a total of 3,133 sorties, covering a total and although it had no radio connection flying, fearless. He prefers active duty to of 26,719 combat hours. Its total losses, with the mother base, it landed at Bircham office work, an excellent daytime and night including those of non-combatants´, made Newton Airport, just thirty miles away. observer." Josef Ocelka's extraordinary air qualities (not counting the wounded) a total of 250 are evidenced by the fact that he was the fallen and missing and 34 captured men. He never saw a son first Czechoslovak bomber aboard, who was After the occupation of Czechoslovakia, They were the biggest losses among all awarded Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Josef Ocelka left abroad in July 1939. From units in the Second Poland he came to France. There he joined World War, constituting half of all losses Fatal morning a five-year service in the Foreign Legion. suffered by the Czechoslovak Air Force at Of all members of the unit, Ocelka had After the start of World War II, he requalified the western theatre. the most night raids – a total of 45. From himself for the fighters in Chartres. Later, he the entire squad he flew the most of operating hours. They were 224 together, which meant that it significantly exceeded the given norm. He made his last sortie in January 1942. In April he handed over the Squadron to his successor Josef Šnajdr. The fatal morning for Staff Captain Josef Ocelka was on July 21, 1942. It was at Brize Norton airport where he was made familiar with various types of multi-engine airplanes. During a test flight at the Beaufort Mk.II, shortly after take-off, he was caught by the hangar roof and crashed. He was dead immediately. The same fate met the two civilian employees who were on the board of his plane. About four days later, his comrades buried Ocelka in the Brookwood Cemetery. His grave number 24-B-8 is located in the RAF department. He was promoted first to Major in memoriam, after the war to Colonel, and after 1989 to the rank of Major General. “The affection of his friends and subordinates was the best reward for this exemplary commander, whom they respected and loved. Their eternal memories will always guide you in your death. Let your last flight be successful! “In those words carved into stone, all who liked him gave this jolly Hanack the last good-bye. Joseph´s brother Anthony (Antonín), four years younger, also served in the in Great Britain. After his brother's death, he moved from ground troops to the Air Force. He flew with the 312th Czechoslovak Squadron. During one flight he was shot down and lived in a prison camp till the end of the war. After returning to his homeland, he served further in the Air Force. In July 1949, however, he fatally crashed with the C-3B 408 aircraft.

by Vladimír Marek, photos: CMA-MHA, MHI