REP H UB EC L Z IC C

Foreign operations – the key to security 1/2009 ARMED FORCES ARMED REVIEW Visit in Kosovo

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, H.E. Jan Fischer, visited Czech troops in Kosovo on August 19th, 2009. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Vice-Premier and Minister of Defence, H.E. Martin Barták. Apart from visiting Czech deployment at Camp Sajkovac, Prime Minister Fischer and Minister Barták had a meeting with Commander KFOR, Lieutenant-General Giuseppe E. Gay, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Fatmir Seidiu, and the Prime Minister, H.E. Hashim Thaci.

Since NATO is considering progressive downsizing of KFOR’s force posture, Prime Minister Fischer and Defence Minister Barták were particularly interested in the current security situation. “The transformation of KFOR and reduction of deployed Allied forces is contingent on a positive development of security situation in Kosovo. The Czech Republic again plans to assign a sizeable contingent next year. The number of Czech service personnel in Kosovo in the years ahead depends on the course of action taken by NATO“, said Minister Barták. At present, a Czech Armed Forces contingent with authorised strength of 550 personnel operates as a part of KFOR. The 15th contingent’s core comprises the members of the 131st Artillery Battalion the 13th Artillery Brigade based in Pardubice. The members of the 14th Logistic Support Brigade Pardubice also form a large part of the force. In addition to that, the contingent includes soldiers from 54 units and components of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic according to required occupational specialties. Women comprise approximately 8% of the total number of contingent members. Photos by MAJ Jana ZECHMEISTEROVÁ Contents H.E. Martin Barták Barták H.E. Martin oftheCzechRepublic,of Defence withtheVice-PremierandMinister Interview A Well Pre-Negotiated Compromise Foreign Deployments: will perform their service, in2010 theirservice, . will perform observers, includingmilitary personnel, Locations wheretheCzechArmedForces in NATO andEU in NATO Representative the CzechRepublic’s Military Kolkus, Jaroslav withLieutenant-General Interview Union:Realism andTransparencyof theEuropean The CzechPresidencyoftheCouncil Mission to be Accomplished . beAccomplished A Mission to CollectiveShield. Exercise Czech-Slovak Mission-Ready BattleGroup Ten Years inKosovo oftheCzechRepublic:Armed Forces Czech Queen reigning Norfolk, U.S. . Czech QueenreigningNorfolk, taking Gripens off Gripensoff taking Baltic AirPolicingmissionALFA over the Balticregion Baltic AirPolicing–CzechGripens Flying Alpinists Soldiers with law enforcement training withlawenforcement Soldiers ThreeTargetsSix Missilesonto BALTExercise 2009 Exercise FlyingRhino09 Exercise 14 18 Cover photos by 3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar Czech Contingent PRT Cover by photos 3rd Peace Projects International Cooperation 8 Interview for REWIEW medical doctors andforce support will and be logisticaugmentedand added: personnel.“ with “According specialistsLieutenant-General to operational includingsaid the Vlastimil Chiefrequirements, pilots, General of Staff Picek Czech Armed havethe Forces,incontracted the FOC out ceremonyfor airliftfrom the relevantand for sealift political as well,“ “Forcesdecision. mustTo deploy that effect, Republic in designatedwe has plans deploy to 400 service area personnel. 43rdwithin airborne mechanised ten days battalion, Thecore and the Slovak of the Czech force Brussels.comprises subunits of onthe the globe withinfor the a radiuscombat orof a 6,000 humanitarianare kilometres prepared aid fromoperationby theIn theCzech anywhere framework and Slovak of Republicthe Battle to Group,deploy up to 2,600 troops Afghanistan. Thebecame mission synonymous of ofwiththe Foreign reconstructionProvincial Affairs of joint the Reconstructionand Czech project renewal Republic, by of the time the already. LogarMinistry Over PRT more than year’sof a Defence history familiara this of term and in the Czech the Republic Ministry for quite some to NATO, in pushingheavily individual involved, aspriorities well as theRepublic’s Permanent permanentof Delegation the representation European the whole was EU team the the military of in section international the Czech of aninteracting environment, in while Union meant for yourthe staff? membership of thethat, Czech what Republic did this in thetheinternationally CouncilEuropean of the important EuropeanGeneral, stage Union the of isCzech over. Republic’s In spite six-monthof Presidency of elaborates on how successful was the MoD in Department ful andtheEU, oftheCzechRepublic Representative inNATO Kolkus, theMilitary Lieutenant-General Jaroslav with strategic partners, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. the Presidency. capabilities; second, developmentoperations. First, ofand; military thirdly, cooperation onthreekey ofDefence,whichfocused areasof includingtheMinistry departments, many governmental individualeconomy, involvedprograms to perform energy security and without Europe The barriers. efforts the Unionfor Council oftheEuropean In the andtheEU inNATO Representative the CzechRepublic’s Military with Lieutenant-General Kolkus,Jaroslav Interview operational capability and has been on standby for possible deployment deployment possible for standby on 2009. been 1st, has and July since capability operational On June26th,2009,theCzec ”Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team” been has By all means, it was a great experience of intensively  rst semesterrst of 2009, from 1st January till June 30th, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the  rst timerst in history. The Czech Presidency’s priorities were three-fold: h-Slovak Battle Group achieved its full full its achieved Group Battle h-Slovak h uhcnesso u pa no oiia edrs s. leader oup Gr political Battle Union the supply. also of of opean included with Eur days s, certiof 30 culminated ,800 hour of 1 inthe composition 12 Sharp Response to stock long-lastingTheconsensus a 2009 and within exercise, preparation ough and speci ,600 but 1 CZE/SVK the ooms thr of BGr shape EU be s the available colour would e Czech-Slovak operation h oximately EU t teams The appr r However, the e deploy v gical o to A vene. sur l under o deploy able two r inter t the n o to c sonnel. to oups of Gr per Králové, d upon n a one of vice planned Battle d is n ser called s a m m is ter o far, c other been So BG Potsdam g n by i Headquar never s i c OHQ r oups. e have x gr e EU manned Operation s r e its battle t ates. r a St u q have d s a Germany, e h will Member unit EU Potsdam, combined in joint The of staff of the Provincialheserved in 2007 Reconstructionas contingent Bosnia commander andTeam Herzegovina, Feyzabad.and ofanchief Kosovo Lieutenant-Colonel andcommander is Procházka, Afghanistan, Petr contingent. percent 3rdwhere the76 of contingent’s The Members the 4th of Rapid Deployment Brigade from form additional twenty-sixMechanised Battalion ACR units Chrudim personnel well as as andHQ 4thorganisations. Rapid DeploymentŽatec. The contingentBrigade andpersonnelis augmented the of the 41st43rd with Airborne Airbornesoldiers 3rd Mechanised contingent’s from Battalion military Forces the ofcomponent Czech Republic Armedcomprises (ACR). contingent the third operations The the of core the of for service environment for theseon provincial activities. level in andprovinces, the provision assistanceTeam of includes a onsafe reconstruction andsupporting secure ofthe the Afghanicountry central government with our on principal the partners of part the EU – with the also but Defence, of Ministry the and Staff General ACR the framework for the set to essential was it areas, all in results positive highly con am I and successfully, perform to the we framework NATO, the operated throughout the whole presidency. usInfor order was That with Union. African the is and UN that organisations, international other with partnerships Union’s European the least but development, not last and capability Union European the military of operations military areas: key three on focused primarily work Our Policy. Defence and Security t present,At province area of the the Logar is of   lling itsassignments. cer with experience from foreign operations in  al talrd o ie oeain adtd mandated operation given to ailored t cally  cation exercise Collective Shield.  l hsi l s lo ed i Hae Hradec in ready also is al hospit eld  ow of information not only with the  dent we attained attained we dent  e f m om fr s cer . .  ...... e ve ...... the air and controls them onto who designates carries the target for alsoa Forward convoyAir Controller The(FAC), reaction team requests y and m headquarters e air n He e support. d n assets. u to o send r his ato quick e h r. the t e d unable v n o is a c manage he , m e e o g that s t c r a n a i f g o s n p a m e s concludes b e e t h r o t h r s h i g s e y n u h e i b t h g t m T n l a e i u s e a s i b s a t s c . a h a e c n r c u e p n s h e w f , s e s r d l e l i s i d l r l l d o i S r l d a . c d i a t o c r a t e h t n o normally make in twohundred hours.“ kilometre distance thatconditions, you would it often takes foreign-deployed ofawhole day to cover operations. aone- these demanding Infollowing an unpaved road. Rapid That Deployment is also characteristic Brigade. operations,“ “The patrol is deliberately explains standarda situation Captain commonly Lada occurring Ková foreign on halts on an IED explosion. IED an on halts takes afractionofsecondandtheconvoy with people from local administration. It just security situation and establish contacts Their mission is to gather information on the us. of front in road a along moves patrol on Group Battle Czech-Slovak the of vehicles reconnaissance A convoyofsixmilitary cooperation we enjoyed from the part of the Military Military the of part Committee, the especially the Chairman EUMC, from General Henri enjoyed we cooperation excellent the mention should I communication, of sphere other the about with Speaking successfully. tackle collaboration to components, in able, be not moment would we emergency that special any practically not did encounter we months, six past the Over Division. Strategy and Policy of Defence MoD the from experts with as Chief well as the of Staff General of Chief team Deputy First an the and Staff General the also with was cooperation There excellent assignments. our of the to performance contribution substantial most the provided team, who his and section PSC/COPS the Republic’s of Head Czech Šrámek, Ambassador the with EU, the of in Representation Head Permanent the Vicenová, Milena there. priorities There was an joint outstanding cooperation with Ambassadress our committees, promote boards, and of subcommittees host a of sessions all arrange to managed events, organise We and assignments by Presidency. important all support attested Czech the is of right results system the the set and successfully aspects ofthePresidencyand how didyoumanagetoharmonisecivilianandmilitary information discuss you As section atthePermanentRepresentation. with the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS) Colonel Procházka. Colonel Procházka. Lieutenant-stressedcontingent,“ next the to assignment hundred percent to provide for a seamless handover of the con am I today already that, despite various say challenges we have had to deal with, to fair is it But assessments. closing for come yet not has time our the why before is that and go ends, tour to weeks couple a have “We Procházka. periods,“ says contingent commander Lieutenant-Colonel the performing speci of involvement no progressively in succeeding are have “We component. military would operations of this line mean not does that but experts, civilian of mission assistance on Governmentprojects and participation in aid projects are the principal Afghani with Cooperation of developing the Afghani effect National Security Forces. component. and civilian components Thetogethermilitary work tothe military PRT the of mission the primarily is The country. the of reconstruction and development on assistance and Government, Afghan the supporting Forces, Security National Afghani the of development security, lines: four into divides assignment the plan, operations contingent’s 3rd the In 2009. 23rd, February on assignment operational its assumed PRT Logar contingent 3rd The assignment. operational the is however, in the context of current situation in Afghanistan, change, does What contingents. all for identical is Team project managementprimarily experts. civil engineers, Foreign and agriculture, Czech Republic.of the Affairs of are They media and formed by 10 expertsThe PRT sent also comprisesto Afghanistan a civilian by component,the Ministry currently of the European Union and his of the Committee Chairman Staff, of the EU Military Military relevantDirectorate theofCouncil’s General Secretariat, ...... “At this moment, the commander commander the moment, this t “At u o s k a e r b e l t t a b l l a m s a , e l i h w n a e M Collective the”For Shield exercise, selected we The fact that together we have managed this process process this managed have we together that fact The h oeal iso o te rvnil Reconstruction Provincial the of mission overall The ...... dent we will manage to perform all tasks one- tasks all perform to manage will we dent ...... situation using  c tasks we set for ourselves in individual .  ow, orcommunication,

......  nd acommonlanguage?  ce and last but not least  rst line of operations of line rst Ő ová of the 4th ...... thetarget,“ shows Captain Ková all soldiers serving as so-calleddoctors, bemachine can they but combat medics, gunners, medical but speciality.fully trained Those as are notwell. necessarilyin Apart from medical that, troopshe has troops getsin wounded,his unit with the commander calls in MEDEVAC outof the total of seven U.S.districts assetscomprising and Provinceexpandthe Logar enabled their our operationsothersoldiers hand, augmentation to intomake a sixgreater ofbe U.S. harmonised districts forces use in theof Logar with the Forsystem thatU.S. reason,forces use. operationalcommandOn the and command control of the Czech U.S. Tasksystem Forcecontingent Spartan.needed consequently tooperates onin hadoperationsthe a majororder impactof ofthe contingent onbattleCzech the only.situation contingent. and The increased underat in present. number the The of U.S.province, forces Reinforcements operatingand did in not Logar pertaintwo inincreased manyto the respects. Czech from First, the theoriginal number of190 Czech to troops 275 LTC Petr Parga Petr LTC Lieutenant-Colonel Imrich Luky, bore the biggest by burden. His team comprising led (EUMCWG/HTF), Force Task deliberation. goal WorkingGroup/Headline Committee Military EU The further for documents policy of hundreds dozens of appointments organise and and meetings, coordinate develop plan, and arrange, present to able were we that meant aspects these of all aggregate, In Bentégeat. performed of the a impactpart of on evaluating possible MilitaryEU Committeethesereduction Forcecontributions, as Catalogue inwas updated 2009.de consequently be As to an analysis promulgated Member States, thewas by Force the Catalogue 2007 07) (FC areas speci General, could you discuss achievements in individualachieved on a single sentence, sometimesimpasses. longer Is it… demanding?art of achieving consensus,Communication which isskills vital are to closelybreak associated with thetwo meetingswithhighlypositiveresults. seventy- steer and prepare comprehensively to managed on progress in EU military capabilities development. development. capabilities military EU in progress on wasused for the development Reportonof EUthe military Presidency capabilities Czechreport Presidency,development, shortfallsthewhich HTF in EU military capabilities. In the course of the The 3rd contingent PRT Logar differs from the previous Ofcourse. Based onadjusted contributions bynine Sometimes hour before takes an consensus it is  rst aid procedures, including drip-feeding.“  cally? , LTC Zden LTC ÿ, 12.7-milimetre DShK machine guns, guns, machine DShK 12.7-milimetre To repel the enemy, soldiers are using are soldiers enemy, the repel To G 1 geae anhr and launchers grenade 17 AGS wds-ae al utv RPGs. Gustav Carl Swedish-made and then strike the designated All training is done using live live using done is training All per i te k. Mi-24 sky. the in appears forces. Hind helicopters reconnaissance over a muiin icuig the including ammunition, when assaulted by opposing opposing by assaulted when heaviest calibres. Such action Such calibres. heaviest k Petráš and WO2 Petr Solár, Petr WO2 and Petráš Ěk re nt o e ae aback taken be to not order h requested supportThe air  efr sbosiul, in subconsciously, perform natural completely be must for the troops. They should should They troops. the for nalised the Single Progress ...... Ő . ová.“Once any of the ......  rt performrst   ight ned 15 9 19 ......

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Czech ArmED ©  ISSN 1803-2125 MK ČR E 18227 number:Registration Tel.: + 420-973 Czech Republic 161 Rooseveltova 23 by AVIS:Distributed K-TISKTISKÁRNA s. r. o. Printed by: Jan Jindra Translation: Jaroslava Lažanová Layout: Jan Procházka Editor-in-chief: 21 2009 August Date of publication: www.army.cz 60162694Identification number: E-mail: [email protected] Tel./fax: + 420-973 215 Tel.: + 420-973 Czech Republic 161 Rooseveltova 23 Address: Centre and Information the Czech Republic, Presentation of of Defence Published by Ministry 1/2009 and Information Centreand Information Presentation MoD Czech Republic 05 Praha 6 05 Praha 6 05 Praha

FORCES FORCES 215 215

602 553 ARMED FORCES REVIEW

review 569 2 Interview for REWIEW operations as a as operations deployments?vision of foreign a was there Yousaid attained. with this compromise I but strategy, NATO’s with deployment line in foreign planning multiyear of issue the on instance and the reputation of our country was not affected. affected. not was country our I of reputation the and certainty gained Allies and servicemembers our because Compromise A Well Pre-Negotiated poiin oe fr u pooa. I proposal. our for voted opposition a in achieved spectrum. How did you achieve that? political the across bill the for support secure to managed you as Republic, Czech the of Parliament the by deployments foreign 2010 of endorsement smooth and fast surprisingly the been has office the assumed you since event important most the Minister, Foreign Deployments:

would personally imagine that more could achieved, for for achieved, could more that imagine personally would t s o ert ht I that secret no is It In this year, a year, this In

timely manner so that a that so manner timely

key to making sure that Czech citizens citizens Czech that sure making to key

reasonable comprise was successfully successfully was comprise reasonable

compromise. What is your future future your is What compromise.

am an advocate of foreign foreign of advocate an am

part of democratic democratic of part

regard that vital vital that regard

am pleased pleased am of the Czech Republic, H.E. Martin Barták of theCzechRepublic, H.E.Martin ofDefence and Minister withtheVice-Premier Interview a become will Afghanistan world, For Western the of stabilises. security Kosovo in situation as personnel 2,500 will mission KFOR a the see months, twenty-four in as early As streets. our to here over transfer somehow would it if than originates, in threats facing where places instability enjoy security. adequate Our are soldiers better employed Why did you strive for such a such for strive you did Why during the authorised period. anytime The mandate the military. change to the decide may for Parliament cheque blank any means no by is be should a for operations mandated longterm these further: even I go springtime. the in is that timeframe, similar deployments in on Republic Czech see the in should made ISAF, decisions and KFOR as such endeavours, term I ahead, years the For haven. and Parliament formed after the upcoming elections elections upcoming the after formed Parliament and a was it that say simply

priority as the theatre to deny Al Qaeda terrorists a terrorists to Al deny Qaeda as the theatre priority

reduction of forces deployed there from 14,000 to to 14,000 from there deployed forces of reduction

longer period of two to three years. This This years. three to two of period longer

cardinal decision the Cabinet Cabinet the decision cardinal

rapid approval? One could could One approval? rapid lo do also

hn ta long- that think

would would

safe safe should make, and leave responsibility on the next progress in building government structures, especially political leadership. on local level, is insufficient; counter-narcotics efforts I am not the type of Minister who would just lay wreaths need to be stepped up too. Afghanistan is the world’s and leave true decision-making to others. I have devoted prime producer of opium, with the revenues used to myself to defence for a number of years as an expert; it is finance terrorist movement. But the greatest challenge a vital issue for our country and I feel a strong personal is that insurgents penetrate the country from Afghani- responsibility for the MoD Department. Everybody would Pakistani border areas. Situation in Pakistan and conclude that if the draft 2010 foreign deployments plan Afghanistan are two sides of the same coin. I trust that would be deliberated in the run-up or at the height of election campaign, the process would be affected by the culminating campaign. After the elections, it would not be certain when the Parliament would eventually vote on foreign missions. The same pressure of time could well occur as it was the case at the end of the last year.

It is hard to find another defence official visiting soldiers on foreign operations as frequently as yourself, which also holds true for the time you were in the office of the first deputy minister. In June earlier this year, you travelled to Afghanistan, visited the Czech Special Forces’ forward operation base, saw the FORCES ARMED REVIEW Provincial Reconstruction Team and met the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. What is your assessment of the situation in Afghanistan in the period of presidential elections? The situation in Afghanistan is not two-dimensional. Apparently, there is a great progress the country has made in the sphere of developing road infrastructure, medical facilities and schools. On the other hand, the

3 4 Interview for REWIEW in Afghanistan in particular. Do particular. in Afghanistan in operation the on and missions, foreign on opinion their in divided is public the that indicate polls The completion. successful towards way its on is KFOR on, years ten now, And present. at does ISAF as 1999 in controversy similar aroused KFOR that say just me Let support. political as well as resources, receives material it and that manpower provided appropriate run, long the in succeed can as drug dealing in Czech cities or contingent terrorist terrorist contingent or cities such Czech Republic, in dealing Czech drug the as in order internal of the to terms, nature threats comprehensible external in Speaking of risks. paradox internal security so-called Contemporary uses borders. theory national our beyond Republic’s of thousands today kilometres security originate national Czech the to threats that fact the is realise to defence homeland for a It takes at once. everyone for obvious military the of employment operations? deploy foreign to for Czech Armed Forces the for need the about people persuade to formula adequate an I security. provided of be level will elections presidential Foreign Deployments: A Well Pre-Negotiated Compromise If there is an immediate attack to a to attack immediate an is there If

am confident that operation ISAF ISAF operation that confident am

you have any magic magic any have you

deeper reflection reflection deeper

state’s territory, territory, state’s one the first essential steps thetogetdone. essentialMoDhas one the first was June in deployments foreign facing pass To are times. difficult we economy, national of status present the achievement indeed.Did have any celebration? a is easier, any things make really not does a in moreover springtime, as early as plan deployments foreign Topass in theeye inthisrespect. The by the Parliament at the turn of 2008 and 2009 was a operations. deployments foreign deliberating foreign-deployed of process disgraceful of importance the the media and the members of the Armed Forces to explain representation, political the involving endeavour joint of America. It is a in and Europe North targets attack in places where are terrorists based, they would be free to terrorist activities. If Allied troops would not counter them Republic, comes from that Czech country. The revenues are used the to finance including market, European the in heroin All Afghanistan. of farawaycountry the in instance do subway, in attacks I

do

not think it is time to celebrate, but to work. Given Given work. to but to celebrate, it is time think not Photos by PIC MoD and Herbert SLAVÍK byPhotos PIC MoD andHerbert not origin in our territory, but for for but territory, our in origin not

political situation that that situation political

great great matter shot Come take a look at Afghanistan The establishment of the provincial reconstruction team represents a peak of the existing activities of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic in foreign- deployed operations, and is the most challenging endeavour at the same time. Nevertheless, the PRT is not the only deployment in Afghanistan, as the Czech Republic also has a Special Operation Forces contingent making excellent effort in the province of Kandahar and facilitating reconstruction of Afghanistan,“ said Minister of Defence Martin Barták and added: ”The exhibition seeks to showcase our efforts in Afghanistan so that people could appreciate the job being done by our service personnel deployed abroad. Because it is them who make a considerable contribution to preventing the danger originating in those areas from spilling closer to our borders.“ FORCES ARMED REVIEW The exhibition is open to the public in the Wallenstein Garden, Prague, till October 31st, 2009. An exhibition jointly organised by the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Defence, by Jan PROCHÁZKA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Military History Institute Photos by Radko JANATA and National Museum was open in a ceremony mid- August 2009 in the Wallenstein Garden and in historical premises, the Mythological Corridor of the Wallenstein Palace of the Senate. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the President of the Senate of the Parliament, Přemysl Sobotka, Vice-Premier and Minister of Defence, Martin Barták, Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Kohout, and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the Czech Republic, Mohammad Kacem Fazelly. The exhibition and individual exhibits primarily cover the activities of the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team that presently operates in the Province of Logar and show the traditions of Afghanistan as well as day-to-day life of local citizens.

5 Locations where the Czech Armed Forces personnel, including military observers, will perform their service, in 2010

NAVFOR ATALANTA, with operation command in the United Kingdom ►A European Union counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. In case the operation mandate is extended beyond 2009, the Czech MoD is ready to assign three personnel in support of Operation Atalanta Command headquartered in Northwood, UK.

Operation ALTHEA, Bosnia and Herzegovina ►In case of transitioning to a non- executive mission with advisory and training tasks, the Czech MoD will join the effort with two personnel.

MINURCAT, Chad and Republic of Central Africa ►UN peacekeeping mission to establish a safe and secure environment in the region. The Czech MoD will contribute up to five personnel.

MONUC, Democratic Republic of Congo ►UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will involve three Czech Armed Forces’ military observers.

Developed by Jaroslav Pajer and Andrea Bělohlávková in cooperation with MoD JOC 6 ► ► ► ► KosovoKFOR, ► ► Response Force NATO ► peace mission in Sinai MFO to take over the lead nation role role the MNTF-C. for nation lead the over take to ready also is Republic Czech The personnel. deployment 550 of maximum the Czech comprise will the total, In at 5-day move.notice to Republic Czech the of territory the in company reserve 120-strong A to Camp 430 personnel. up at strength total MNTF-C in of Sajkovac part a company mechanised as support a and Ville, company Camp at Film Camp City, at individuals HQ in MNTF-C KFOR HQ at Individuals For NRF-15, (1 July 2010 to 15 January 2011), the MoD Department also plans to assign a 120-strong 120-strong a assign to total The plans troops. 53 to up of also is 360 personnel. authorised strength element support national Department with staff battalion MoD a team; analysis the joint defence CBRN 2011), January 15 to amanning 170 to up personnel of three company construction personnel; engineer an company; 2010 transportation July (1 NRF-15, For willbe assigned. acontingent of maximum 220 personnel In total, to up of company protection 120 personnel, force four CBRN a defence experts and a assign national support element will with mandated MoD strength of Czech 53 troops. the 2010, 15th, July to 1st January from NRF-14 For of this mission in the Middle East. threepersonnelpurposestothe for DepartmentMoDThe willassignup ► Afghanistan UNAMA, where the Czech Armed Forces Forces mission, Armed observer. contributes one military Czech the peacekeeping where UN A ► ► ► ► ISAF,Operation Afghanistan is authorised to is reach535 authorised to personnel. of Afghanistan in deployments of strength responsibility total The into falling Regional Command East. base Sharana utility the at operating Mi-171Sh stationed be will three personnel 110 to that, up comprising team support a with to helicopters addition In Logar the in deployed reach is planned325personnel. to province troops total Czech The of training). number ANA (for OMLT plus 40-strong personnel a 285 of strength authorised total with Logar of province the in Team Reconstruction EOD teams, Provincial Czech the of staff) contingent and team patrolling mobile (four component As a part total of the Regional Command – in East, a military Command 100of up to strength personnel. Brigade ANA the supporting team Czech a and experts medical including occupational specialties all various of personnel unit, (supporting defence NSE ISAF CBRN a light Afghanistan), in deployed in contingent an and center control structures, KAIA ANA), in - Army personnel National Afghani flight the and of ground personnel of (training Kabul OMLT an the deploys Republic Czech Regional the (KAIA), at the Airport of International specifically responsibility of Command–Center, area the In ► (UNSAS) System Arrangement Standby Nations United the of part a as Operations decide on their deployment. Parliament and the Government Czechof Republic the to to the up is it by UN, requirement a Following personnel. 50 is assets and forces The total authorised strength of MoD

7 ARMED FORCES REVIEW The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Realism and Transparency

Interview with Lieutenant-General Jaroslav Kolkus, the Czech Republic’s Military Representative in NATO and the EU

In the first semester of 2009, from January 1st till June 30th, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time in history. The Czech Presidency’s priorities were three-fold: economy, energy security and Europe without barriers. The efforts to perform individual programs involved

Interviewfor REWIEW many governmental departments, including the Ministry of Defence, which focused on three key areas of the Presidency. First, development of military capabilities; second, operations. and; thirdly, cooperation with strategic partners, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Lieutenant-General Jaroslav Kolkus, the Military Representative of the Czech Republic in NATO and the EU, elaborates on how successful the MoD Department was in fulfilling its assignments.

General, the Czech Republic’s six-month Presidency Security and Defence Policy. Our work primarily focused on three key areas: military capability development, of the Council of the European Union is over. In spite military operations of the European Union and last but of that, what did this internationally important stage not least the European Union’s partnerships with other of the membership of the Czech Republic international organisations, that is with NATO, the in the European Union meant for your staff? UN and the African Union. That was the framework we By all means, it was a great experience of intensively operated throughout the whole presidency. In order for us interacting in an international environment, while to perform successfully, and I am confident we attained the whole team of the military section of the Czech highly positive results in all areas, it was essential to set Republic’s permanent representation in the EU was the framework for the flow of information not only with the heavily involved, as well as the Permanent Delegation ACR General Staff and the Ministry of Defence, but also to NATO, in pushing individual priorities of the European with our principal partners on the part of the EU – with the

8 cooperation we enjoyed from the part of the Military Military the of part Committee, the especially the Chairman EUMC, General Henri from enjoyed we cooperation I communication, of sphere other the about with Speaking successfully. tackle collaboration to in components, able, be not moment would we emergency that special any practically not did encounter we months, six past the Over Division. Strategy and Policy of Defence MoD the from experts with as Chief well as the of Staff General of Chief Deputy team First the an and Staff General the also with was cooperation There excellent assignments. our the of to performance contribution substantial most the provided team, who his and section PSC/COPS the Republic’s of Head Czech Šrámek, Ambassador with the EU, the of in Representation Head Permanent the Vicenová, Milena there. priorities There was an outstanding joint cooperation with Ambassadress our promote and subcommittees a of sessions all arrange to managed events, organise We and by assignments Presidency. important all attested Czech support the is of right results system the the set and successfully aspects ofthePresidencyandfinda commonlanguage? how didyou harmonisecivilianandmilitary manageto As youflow, discussinformation orcommunication, section atthePermanentRepresentation. with the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS) of the European Union and his office and last but not least the Committee Chairman Staff, of the EU Military Military Secretariat, General Council’s the of relevantDirectorate The fact that together we have managed this process process this managed have we together that fact The ot f ors committees, boards, of host should mention the excellent the mention should n rges n U iiay aaiiis development. capabilities military EU in progress report on Presidency the of development the for which used was development, capabilities military EU on Report Progress Single the finalised HTF the Presidency, Czech the of course the In capabilities. military EU in shortfalls in defined reduction on possible of the impact performed As 2009. Catalogue Force a the as by Committee promulgated 07) Military EU consequently (FC be 2007 to Catalogue updated was Force the States, Member areas specifically? individual in achievements discuss you could General, on a Is it demanding? impasses. break to vital is which consensus, achieving of art the with associated closely are skills Communication two meetingswithhighlypositiveresults. seventy- steer and prepare comprehensively to managed Solár, Petr WO2 and Petráš Zdeněk LTC Pargač, Petr LTC Imrich Lieutenant-Colonel Luky, bore the biggest burden. by His team comprising led (EUMCWG/HTF), Force Task deliberation. goal WorkingCommittee Group/Headline Military EU The further for documents policy of hundreds dozens of organise appointments and and coordinate meetings, plan, develop arrange, and to present able were we that meant aspects these of all aggregate, In Bentégeat.

part of evaluating these contributions, an analysis was was analysis an contributions, these evaluating of part Of course. Based on adjusted contributions by nine nine by contributions adjusted on Based course. Of Sometimes it takes an hour before consensus is achieved single sentence, sometimes longer …

9 ARMED FORCES REVIEW The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Realism and Transparency In accordance with approved schedule, the HTF completed we have Operation ALTHEA in the territory of Bosnia ad two initial stages of the process as a part of developing EU Herzegovina. Initially, we thought the operation would military capabilities interoperability study. The first stage transform to a non-executive training mission during our saw the EU Interoperability Requirements List developed, Presidency. The plan did not materialise because of the which was transformed into a list of areas with currently present political and security environment in Bosnia and identified absence of interoperability. In the second Herzegovina and we are awaiting a political decision to be stage, defined degrees of interoperability were applied made later at the end of this year. The positive thing is that on the identified areas, which resulted in determination during discussions between the North Atlantic Council and of operational risk associated with the performance of the EU Political and Security Committee, ambassadors military operations. The Swedish Presidency, which will in both organisations supported the continuation of the work the third stage in finalising the study, will follow future operation within the Berlin Plus arrangements, upon the conclusions of the second stage. As a part of which was one of our priorities. There is an Operation Plan processing lessons identified from the Headline Goal at hand, which will be implemented once political decision 2010 process, updating was launched of the Toolbox as is taken. The third very important operation is EU NAVFOR well as establishing principal conditions for information Somalia ATALANTA off the coast of Somalia, a counter- gathering and analysis. That entailed the development piracy endeavour to enable shipping of goods primarily of a new list of reference forces and defining required from the World Food Program to Somalia and naturally also military capabilities. The team led by Lieutenant-Colonel creating a safe environment in the region. Forces involved Luky also developed and submitted to the EU Military in the operation achieved their full operational capability Committee a recommendation to further elaborate on in the spring and it is fair to say that the operation Interviewfor REWIEW factors having impact on initiating a new EU headline managed to diminish piracy activities in part. A decision goal development process. Pursuant to EUMC decision, was made to extend the operation by one year, which will staff and expert consultations continued involving expert definitely increase security in those waters. Therefore, components and the NATO International Staff via informal the conclusion can be made that we met objectives and discussions with subject-matter NATO experts. These fulfilled assignments of the Czech Presidency and we talks aimed at taking forward the development of the IG assume that our successors, the Swedish Presidency, will Tool in the sphere of military capability planning, which carry on the process of implementing operations. It should would meet requirements of both organisations. be understood that military operations are directed by the Military Staff with oversight by the Military Committee. Undoubtedly, defence capabilities are essential for the The Presidency creates conditions to smoothly fulfil objectives and missions in individual operations. military, but what about approximating cooperation between the EU and NATO for instance? Positive results were attained on this issue as well, Military operations were one of our priorities. How which goes primarily to the credit of Director of the do people perceive that the Czech Republic and its Armed MoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division, Mr. Ivan Forces are involved in EU operations to a considerably Dvořák, who chaired the NATO/EU Capability Group. An lower degree compared to NATO operations? effective system was established for sharing lessons It should be mentioned nevertheless that we have joined EU learnt between EU and NATO, which will definitely operations. We were involved both in Bosnia and Herzegovina, facilitate a better future cooperation and a common and we were also represented on the operation EUFOR Tchad/ attitude on delivering security and defence policy of both RCA. For the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, the Czech organisations. This priority has been continued by the Presidency brought a new perspective and a host of new succeeding Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, lessons, and our contribution to EU operations will definitely who intend to promote and follow upon our lessons learnt. increase in the future. That is the vision. In addition to that, there has been a significant progress in developing the joint information gathering and analysis tool covering the sphere of military capability planning, You alluded to dozens of meetings and hundreds of hours which would meet requirements of both organisations needed to find consensus. Was there any augmentation (IG Tool). EUMC approved EU requirements for IG Tool on your team for the period of Presidency? development as a basis for further discussions on the Obviously, we would not manage to perform all tasks level of EU and NATO military staffs. associated with steering and the agenda associated with the Czech Presidency in the original set-up. Therefore, we What we have left is the third priority – military operations … had been reinforced already during the preparatory period Over the course of the Czech Presidency, three with three personnel. The past six months were full of day- operations were underway under the colours of the to-day work, not only in official working hours, but often European Union. First, there was the EUFOR Operation late into night. A number of away days were organised in Tchad/RCA, which was successfully completed at March a number of countries. Many of these events took place in 15th, 2009, and the responsibility was transferred to the the territory of the Czech Republic. It was a challenging MINURCAT UN mission. That was the largest operation and dynamic period, while we were scrutinised by twenty- the the European Union endeavoured on in the past ten six partners. The basic principles characterising our years. Lessons learnt are currently being processed. Then attitude were realism and transparency. 10 The Czech Presidency Union: of the Council of the European Realism and Transparency with an opportunity to verify the Battle Group’s achieved achieved Group’s Battle the verify to opportunity an with members EUMC all the provide to with exercise concurrently certification BG Republic Czech the in day away a organised we Therefore, ago. years several undertook we which Republic, Czech the of othertasks? correspond to How didthat process is on standby since July 1st, 2009 for possible deployment. Slovak European Union Battle Group certified. The force The period of the Czech Presidency also saw the Czech- and countries. years multiple involves several spans implementation project’s The Afghanistan. in helicopters Czech of deployment the outcome is first intended the The upgraded. to over and need modified that be took helicopters of Republic family Mi Czech for responsibility The year. this earlier A forces. deployed operationally of sustainability to increase capability helicopter transport enhance to designed conditions is It continue. to fostered Initiative Helicopter We the analyses for favourable developed. we recommendations, positions specific and our initiative, involved helicopter the input to As for. provided have been institutions two the between sharing information better and EDA and Committee Military EU the the between to As a Agency, Division. Defence European Armaments MoD the and Strategy and Division Policy Defence MoD the of responsibility present there as well? footprint Czech the Was (EDA). Agency Defence European the of framework the in cooperation and Initiative Helicopter the involved definitely ”marathons” Negotiating

dedicated seminar took place in Prague in February February in Prague in place took seminar dedicated It was one of the principal tasks for the Armed Forces Forces Armed the for tasks principal the of one was It the into falls primarily to alluded have you sphere The

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EU Military Committee Committee Military EU

with NATO andEUpriorities. with NATO and Staff General of Chief the of requirements the with and I excellent was partners all with Cooperation not. or over is EU the of Council the of Presidency Czech the as slack in both organisations. I Committee, day-to-day duty performed with Military the team of people working EU the in I as well as Committee Military NATO the in Republic Czech the the of Forces and Armed Staff General of Chief the Representing Republic, Czech versa. the vice or EU the over NATO prefer to inbothandnottofavour oneortheother? representative betheCzech Union. Isitchallengingto and theEuropean Atlantic TreatyRepublic inboththeNorth Organisation oftheCzech you arethe representative General, in keepingof operations achieved with activation limits. and training area given in projected be may of that capabilities required phases all development, of phases all underwent force the and fulfilled was aspect military dimension, military The not. or deploys force the whether matter no disappear, not will years several over building been has Forces the Armed that Czech the is capabilities specific thing important in The twenty- States. all Member situation of seven decision the security on course, of the and, regions on deploy not contingent will or is will BG other EU and CZ/SK medical Whether support. logistic, control, quality and command assets, of deployable organisation, capabilities, promote the interests of the Czech Republic. This is my is This Republic. Czech the of interests the promote There is no difference me; to and it is not even possible There is no difference trust that our performance trust will that continue our to performance be in line Photos byPhotos Marie KŘÍŽOVÁ and Radko JANATA by Jan PROCHÁZKA and Pavel LANG am not sure where this agenda will

11 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Armed Forces of the Czech Republic: Ten Years in Kosovo

On July 12th, 2009, ten years have passed since the first deployment of Czech soldiers for NATO’s peacekeeping operation Joint Guardian in the territory of Kosovo, an operation where the Czech Republic continues to assign, albeit under a different name, its largest contingent.

Over the decade of the Czech engagement, nineteen international organisations and assist Kosovo authorities military contingents have served their tours in Kosovo. on developing all attributes rule of law. That represents more than seventy-five hundred service personnel from various units, ranging from a 140- strong reconnaissance company that began the Czech Operation "Joint Guardian" engagement in 1999 in the territory of Kosovo, to joint launched Czech-Slovak battalion, to the present contingent of Until May 2001, the Czech contingent in the territory of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic comprising Kosovo comprised first 140 and then up to 220 soldiers, a mechanised company, support company and other whose operational assignment included guarding the support elements with the possibility of being reinforced Kosovo-Serbian Administrative Border Line, ensuring by a reserve company. a safe return of refugees and creating conditions for Nevertheless, the mission based on UN Security Council restoring a peaceful coexistence of Kosovar Serbians Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, remains the same: and Albanians, chiefly its in own area of responsibility. to contribute towards the establishing and maintaining With respect to improved security situation in Bosnia a secure and safe environment for all citizens, and and Herzegovina, a decision was made in May 2001 continuation of peace process and democratic development regarding Czech Armed Forces’ deployments in West without the need of future presence of multinational military Balkans to assign a higher priority to Kosovo, which forces. Since the declaration of Kosovo’s independence in enabled the Czech contingent there to be further February 2008, KFOR is to carry on supporting efforts of enlarged up to 400 service personnel. 12 From February 2002 till mid-2005, a mechanised putting to a good use their longterm preparation and battalion-strong joint Czech-Slovak contingent performed lessons from previous deployments, which clearly proves their assignment in KFOR as a part of the order of battle that no foreign operation may be underestimated in any of the Multinational Brigade Center, which comprised respect. The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic continues two British battalions and a Finnish, Norwegian and to dedicate a very high attention to predeployment Swedish battalion. First responsible for a territory of 248 preparation and deployments themselves to date. square kilometres, with later addition of 187 sq km, the At present, the deployment in the territory of Kosovo missions of the Czech-Slovak contingent chiefly included comprises the 15th Czech contingent, with its core security and search operations, manning checkpoints, formed by the members of the 131st Artillery Battalion countering illegal activity and crime, control of violent from Pardubice, augmented with service personnel from demonstrations and other contingencies. other 54 units and organisations of the Armed Forces At the turn of 2003 and 2004, during the tour of the 4th of the Czech Republic, mostly from the 14th Logistic Czech-Slovak Battalion, the unit’s area of responsibility was Support Brigade Pardubice. further expanded to 1,150 sq km and the assigned section It is likely that the second time will come for the of Administrative Border Line with Serbia settled on 104 Armed Forces of the Czech Republic to take over the role kilometres. In the Spring of 2004, Czech and Slovak soldiers of the lead nation (in command) of the Multinational held steady faced with violent attacks of Kosovar Albanians on Task Force–Center in the course of 2010. the Serbian minority and assisted on evacuating hundreds of Kosovar Serbs from epicentres of unrest to safe havens. The Way Ahead for Kosovo As a result of unceasing efforts by NATO, Kosovo has seen its security situation stabilised and set

Renamed "Joint Enterprise" after FORCES ARMED REVIEW out on the path of reconstruction towards overall reorganisation economic development. Nevertheless, unfavourable As a part of overall restructuring of KFOR’s posture, social situation, in conjunction with a high degree of and following an agreement with the Slovak Republic, the widespread crime as well as a large quantity of illegally

joint Czech-Slovak Battalion terminated its operational held weapons continue to complicate the current status. assignment in mid-2005. Since then, the Czech contingent Therefore, NATO has underscored repeatedly that KFOR has operated as a part of the newly created Multinational peacekeeping force will continue its assignment until Task Force-Center (MNTF-C) in the strength of 550 personnel next decision is made by UN Security Council and NATO with main base at the town of Šajkovac in North-West as a whole. In the same sense, the Czech Republic will Kosovo. The Czech area of responsibility, which continues not take any unilateral steps with regard to KFOR while to include an 85-kilometre section of administrative border any possible reduction of the number of troops or their line between Kosovo and Serbia, encompasses an area of assignment would always be based on decisions taken nearly 750 sq km in the demanding terrain of the North- jointly with Allies. East part of Kosovo. In conclusion of NATO defence ministerial on June 10th, The Multinational Task Force-Center, with the Czech 2009, the Alliance stated its readiness to prospectively Republic acting as the lead nation in 2006, furthermore downsize the number of troops in Kosovo contingent on comprises of the contingents of Finland, Ireland, Latvia, security situation. The process would take place in several Slovakia and Sweden. In support of MNTF-C, the Czech steps, based exclusively on current security assessments and military has assigned so-called reserve company since pursuant to a joint decision by NATO’s supreme bodies. April 2006, able to deploy from the Czech Republic into area of operations at five-day notice. For KFOR forces as well as all citizens in the region, by Jan Procházka, Miroslav Šindelář Czech soldiers have been useful and respected partners, and Lieutenant-Colonel Petr Sýkora 13 Czech-Slovak Battle Group Mission-Ready European Defence

On June 26th, 2009, the Czech-Slovak Battle Group achieved its full operational capability and has been on standby for possible deployment since July 1st, 2009. Photo by CPT Jan ŠULC CPT Photoby

In the framework of the Battle Group, up to 2,600 troops The joint combined unit will have its Operation Headquarters are prepared by the Czech and Slovak Republic to deploy in Potsdam, Germany, manned by other officers from for a combat or a humanitarian aid operation anywhere EU Members States. EU OHQ Potsdam is one of the five on the globe within the radius of 6,000 kilometres from headquarters exercising command and control over the Brussels. battle groups. So far, Battle Groups under the EU colours The core of the Czech force comprises subunits of the have never been called upon to intervene. The Czech-Slovak 43rd airborne mechanised battalion, and the Slovak BG is planned to deploy approximately 1,600 to 1,800 Republic has plans to deploy 400 service personnel. service personnel. A field hospital is also ready in Hradec “Forces must deploy in designated area within ten days Králové, able to deploy operation rooms within 12 hours, with from the relevant political decision. To that effect, we two surgical teams available and a stock of 30 days of supply. have contracted out for airlift and for sealift as well,“ However, the shape and composition of the Battle Group said the Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces, would be specifically tailored to given operation mandated Lieutenant-General Vlastimil Picek in the FOC ceremony through consensus of European Union political leaders. and added: “According to operational requirements, the The long-lasting preparation of the CZE/SVK EU BG force will be augmented with specialists including pilots, culminated in the Sharp Response 2009 exercise, but medical doctors and support and logistic personnel.“ also included certification exercise Collective Shield. 14 A convoy of six military reconnaissance vehicles of the Czech-Slovak Battle Group on patrol moves along a road in front of us. Their mission is to gather information on the security situation and establish contacts with people from local administration. It just takes a fraction of second and the convoy halts on an IED explosion. Exercise Collective Shield

”For the Collective Shield exercise, we selected the target,“ shows Captain Kovářová. “Once any of the a standard situation commonly occurring on foreign troops gets wounded, the commander calls in MEDEVAC operations,“ explains Captain Lada Kovářová of the 4th as well. Apart from that, he has troops in his unit with Rapid Deployment Brigade. “The patrol is deliberately medical speciality. Those are not necessarily medical following an unpaved road. That is also characteristic doctors, but they can be so-called combat medics, FORCES ARMED REVIEW of foreign-deployed operations. In these demanding soldiers serving as machine gunners, but fully trained in conditions, it often takes a whole day to cover a one- all first aid procedures, including drip-feeding.“ hundred kilometre distance that you would To repel the enemy, soldiers are using normally make in two hours.“ 12.7-milimetre DShK machine guns, Meanwhile, a small battle breaks out AGS 17 grenade launchers and on the road. Soldiers practise their basic Swedish-made Carl Gustav RPGs. tactical drills, such as ambush response, All training is done using live drills when being shot at and round ammunition, including the defence. They engage the enemy heaviest calibres. Such action assaulting them from cover. must be completely natural “At this moment, the commander for the troops. They should concludes that he is unable to perform subconsciously, in manage the situation using order not to be taken aback his assets. He requests when assaulted by opposing headquarters to send a quick forces. reaction team and air support. The requested air support The convoy also carries appears in the sky. Mi-24 a Forward Air Controller (FAC), Hind helicopters first perform who designates the target for a reconnaissance overflight the air and controls them onto and then strike the designated

15 Exercise Collective Shield European Defence

targets, including with live rockets. The opponent gets Slovakia. A provisional field station with helipad was hit hard. A medical evacuation helicopter has landed in set up in Bechyně for the helicopter unit. The National the meantime. Soldiers load their wounded comrades Support Element and logistic support units operate and the convoy may go on. from Pardubice and Klatovy. Apart from that, operation headquarters in Olomouc becomes involved in the Focus (not only) on Africa Collective Shield exercise, headed by Exercise Director, The goal of the exercise Collective Shield, which took Major-General Hynek Blaško. In total, more than place at the turn of March and April 09, was to prove the sixteen-hundred personnel are engaged. In addition to Armed Forces’ ability to credibly fulfil ambitions declared in that, there are two-hundred and seventy more soldiers the context with the Czech-Slovak Battle Group, and verify involved in the exercise, who operate in the territory of planning and performance of a stabilisation expeditionary Slovakia. operation as well as the requisite degree of harmonisation among individual BG components, and command and control systems at all echelons. The Battle Group may be A Puzzle Helipad called upon to operate anywhere on the globe within the ”The fact that the Battle Group is deployed both in radius of 6,000 kilometres from Brussels, except for the the territory of the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, is Arctic zone. Being an apparent next source of threat, Africa not accidental. We also aim for signal units to practise is mentioned frequently in this regard. The Battle Group is establishing connectivity over real-world distances,“ required to deploy in the troubled territory at ten days’ notice emphasises Captain Lada Kovářová. from a decision by the European Union. The deployment is Fifty Slovak commissioned and non-commissioned planned to last thirty days, with the possibility of extension officers were assigned for the exercise directly to staffs up to four months. located in the territory of the Czech Republic. One of A number of components of the Armed Forces of the Slovak representatives was also the Commander the Czech Republic have been involved in the Czech- of Slovak Land Forces, Major-General Milan Maxim, Slovak Battle Group. “The Battle Group’s core is built acting as deputy exercise director. “My role here is to on the basis of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade. We inspect on the performance of service duties by our staff have two airborne and two mechanised companies officers. There is a Slovak officer in the post of Deputy deployed in military training areas, a manoeuvre support Brigade Commander. Another Slovak officer serves company, battalion dressing station, logistic support as a Deputy Battalion Commander. But we also have company and a command company,“ elaborates the personnel performing functions such as legal advisor or force commander Colonel Ladislav Jung. “In addition to senior officers in most various specialties. I am relatively that, we are reinforced by a National Support Element satisfied with the job they are doing, but not one-hundred (NSE), air assets, electronic warfare company, light percent. We found out some shortcomings of objective reconnaissance company, engineer company, a PSYOPS/ nature. We will be analysing them with our Czech CIMIC unit, signals company, a Role 2 field hospital and colleagues at the end of the exercise, and determine the military police.“ a joint course of action to redress them,“ underscores Majority of troops deployed in the Hradiště training General Maxim. area. A reinforced company of the 4th Rapid Deployment The situation in the Battle Group’s area of responsibility Brigade exercises in the Boletice training area. They is not really easy. There are protests underway, as well as have established a forward operating base there. tribal and territorial disputes coupled with wrangles over Slovak soldiers of the 22nd mechanised battalion set up religious tolerance and minority rights. There are attacks another forward base in the Lešť Military Training Area, on governmental and international organisations, 16 back back as and possible the protect VIP with their “In bodies. far as VIP the move to sought rest the back, fought MPs a While immediately. out a broke Fire targets, resounded. the to distance shooting and center the in a VIP the with formation diamond a in advanced They protection. close VIP drill to 6 No. and 10 a is units among interoperability security is planned over long distances. A distances. long over planned is security a is Group Battle The Chrudim. from battalion airborne the of companies the of with conjunction areas in missions in these perform We interest. commissioners UN We of for. visits responsible practised is also contingent the persons all convoys “We and to security training. of provision this the in of involved also charge are Radim in Captain officer explains the spectrum,“ Hlubůček, IR and visible in use they equipment day and night both the perimeter to control them enables advanced The group. by monitoring supported is around which security a post, command perimeter principal for the responsible are ”We security specialists, a specialists, security a comprised of core its with Group, Battle the to personnel MP placed be soils. can softer on including helipad terrain, the in mobile anywhere The minutes. twenty resembling helipad, a of the comprising laid they elements surface Then the plastic gravel. with it adapt to reinforce and needed thoroughly first platoon engineer setting up a also scenario exercise the nature. their in technical But purely tasks includes that. of all with must units cope Group Battle The fuel. and water with foodstuff, blooms market black while robberies, plundering,

stalker heading the group. As soon as they got within within got they as soon As group. the heading stalker specialised unit together with force protection and and protection force with together unit specialised The military police used special live fire exercise No. No. exercise fire live special used police military The The Military Police contributed a contributed Police Military The For instance, engineers from Bechyně practised practised Bechyně from engineers instance, For

s puzzle. A puzzle. quick reaction team. The unit includes personnel personnel includes unit The team. reaction quick dealingwithmalfunctions mobile helipad and its disassembling. The

complete assembly took approximately approximately took assembly complete

too large formation, plus convoy convoy plus formation, large too traffic patrol and own ops team. team. ops own and patrol traffic

must.“ must.“

platoon of thirty-four of thirty-four platoon

heavy detonation detonation heavy

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part of of part Union operations will be conducted according to NATO NATO standards. to according conducted be will operations Union European activation, of case in that declared was it that is preparation of process whole the in aspect important the Jung, Ladislav Colonel of opinion In Response. Sharp Exercise in the year this earlier in June culminated Group interoperation.“ and practise their comrades to listen to able be troops the that is thing The chaos. is Captain there mean not does here down shouting stresses ”The Hlubůček. malfunctions,“ weapon with cope to a issued not deliberately are For we instance, deal with loading live Soldiers munitions. situations. to unexpected respond People him. after look is and in buddy his where moment given at any exactly know place take not does a fire live because interaction, formations. larger into assembled further we which two, of groups to transitioned we Stepwise, areas. built-up in operations in effective very are shotguns because shotgun, and rifle and Luger Glock 17 75 the pistols, drills CZ focused on using Sa-58 assault from Apart shooting. and deployment with the VIP. Those are the heavily armed individuals individuals armed heavily armour.“ body the wearing are guys Those the VIP. of the retreat with the for provides and opponent the engages one second The collars. white the with individuals protecting a for into VIP the responsible getting and is VIP One groups. Captain two of explains them,“ comprises team engage protection close the fact, “In Hlubůček. to care take adversary busy, the keep to have they Now support. air close and helicopters with possibly and team, reaction quick with reinforcement requested and echelon superior their with communication had already team the moment, that

single line; people get intermingled. Everyone must must Everyone intermingled. get people line; single The process of developing the Czech-Slovak Battle Battle Czech-Slovak the developing of process The mutual for demanding highly is exercise partial ”This weapon practising individuals with started All training Photos byPhotos Vladimír M

safe zone. Those are the the are Those zone. safe full quantity to be able able be to quantity full arek by Vladimír MAREK and Jan K ouba

17 ARMED FORCES REVIEW 18 Foreign Operations Afghanistan. The Afghanistan. mission of the Provincial Reconstruction of renewal and reconstruction with synonymous PRT became Logar the Republic, Czech the of Affairs Foreign of Ministry the and Defence of Ministry a the by project joint than more Over already. time a to be Accomplished to A Mission

familiar term in the Czech Republic for quite some some quite for Republic Czech the in term familiar ”Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team” has been been has Team” Reconstruction Provincial ”Logar

year’s history of this this of history year’s

of staff of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Feyzabad. Feyzabad. Team Reconstruction Provincial the of chief staff of and commander contingent as 2007 in served he in operations Procházka, where foreign Afghanistan, and Kosovo Herzegovina, and Bosnia from Petr experience with contingent’s officer Lieutenant-Colonel The an contingent. is 3rd commander the form of Brigade percent Deployment Rapid 76 4th the of Members personnel organisations. as and units ACR well twenty-six additional from as Chrudim Battalion Mechanised Airborne 43rd the and Brigade from Deployment Rapid 4th HQ soldiers with augmented is Battalion contingent The Mechanised Žatec. Airborne 41st the of Armed the personnel of the service comprises core component The of military (ACR). contingent’s 3rd Republic contingent Czech the third of Forces the for operations activities. these for environment a of provision the and level provincial on of the country on reconstruction assistance in provinces, Team includes the supporting Afghani central government At present, the province of Logar is the area of of area the is Logar of province the present, At

safe and secure secure and safe Colonel Procházka. Colonel Procházka. Lieutenant- stressed contingent,“ next the to assignment hundred percent to provide for a I today already that, despite various challenges we have had say to deal with, to fair is it But assessments. closing for come yet not has time the why is that and ends, tour a have “We Procházka. periods,“ says contingent commander Lieutenant-Colonel the performing specific of tasks we setfor ourselves in involvement individual no progressively in succeeding are have “We component. military would operations of this line mean not does that but experts, civilian of mission assistance on Government projects and participation in aid projects are the principal Afghani with Cooperation of effect developing the Afghani National Security Forces. the to together component. work components civilian and military The military PRT the of mission the primarily is operations of line first The country. the of reconstruction and development on assistance and Government, Afghan the supporting Forces, Security National Afghani the of development security, lines: four into divides assignment the plan, operations contingent’s 3rd the In 2009. 23rd, February on assignment operational its assumed PRT Logar contingent 3rd The assignment. operational the is however, in the context of current situation in Afghanistan, change, does What contingents. all for identical is Team are and They media agriculture, Republic. management experts. project and Czech engineers, the civil of primarily Affairs Foreign of Ministry the by Afghanistan to sent 10 experts by formed a comprises also PRT The am confident we will manage to perform all tasks one- tasks all perform to manage will we confident am h oeal iso o te rvnil Reconstruction Provincial the of mission overall The ope ek t g bfr our before go to weeks couple

civilian component, currently currently component, civilian seamless handover of the out of the total of seven districts comprising the Logar Logar the comprising districts seven of total the of out districts six into operations their expand and assets U.S. Province enabled our soldiers to make a Logar make to the soldiers our in enabled forces Province U.S. of augmentation hand, the other On use. forces U.S. system the with harmonised be to needed system Spartan. control and command Force reason, that For Task U.S. the of command operational Czech operates contingent in the order of battle and under The contingent. Czech of the on operations consequently contingent only. The increased number of U.S. forces forces U.S. of a had number increased The only. contingent Czech the to pertain not did Reinforcements present. at from 190 in the original to Logar increased operating 275 troops Czech of number the First, respects. many in two The 3rd contingent PRT Logar differs from the previous the from previous differs Logar PRT The 3rd contingent

major impact on the situation in the province, and and province, the in situation the on impact major

greater use of of use greater

19 ARMED FORCES REVIEW in 206 successful patrols, while a large majority of those were performed in conjunction with the U.S. TF SPARTAN units, the French OMLT, or units of the Afghani National Police (ANP) and Afghani National Army (ANA). In addition to standard mobile and foot patrolling, five so- called aeromobile patrol were performed in the Azra and Khoshi districts. Those were all multi-day patrols into province. That is naturally also of a considerable benefit areas where the Czech forces have not operated before. to the contingent’s civilian component. Aid projects are With an exponential growth of patrols performed, currently underway in all of the six districts. The fact that other Czech PRT operations shifted their focus as well. reconstruction process may not be facilitated in full in Thanks to an expanding local knowledge of the area of the last district, the district of Kharwar, is determined by operations, a whole set of databases was created that the local security situation. are absolutely vital for military as well as civil experts’ Another major difference to the previous contingents operations. An in-depth knowledge of road infrastructure is the enlarged vehicle inventory of the Czech force. and terrain in area of responsibility, coupled with a good Apart from vehicles fielded with the Czech Armed knowledge of local environment, population, social and Forces, the Czech contingent also uses Humvees. The economic situation, as well as tribal structure, were force was also newly equipped with Dingo and Iveco thoroughly assessed and filed into specific databases vehicles. The vehicles provide a substantially higher and maps used not only by Czech soldiers and civilian ballistic protection, which is truly critical owing to the experts, but also by American and French Allies. aggravating security situation in Afghanistan. The principal goal of the Provincial Reconstruction ”As our operational capabilities expanded, we are now Team is to provide assistance to the Afghani Government in better able to monitor our operational environment and reconstructing the country, and the growth of operational perform reconnaissance in regions, where additional capabilities allows for completing aid projects and reconstruction projects are intended. So, we may identifying new needs of the province. At the end of July 2009, work substantially more effectively and faster, which Czech PRT civilian experts led by Ms. Bohumila Ranglová increased the number of patrols we perform,“ describes accomplished 16 projects, 37 projects are in the process Lieutenant-Colonel Procházka the current status. of realisation, with many of them nearing completion, and “Compared to the previous year, patrolling intensity grew additional 31 are at various stages of preparation. Those by 70 percent. Naturally, we are involved in the provision are also long-term projects whose realisation started of security, not only on the base, but also in areas critical already in 2008. The projects are realised in the following for us in terms of future and current projects,“ elaborates fields: support to the Afghani National Army and ANP, LTC Procházka on the PRT missions. This progress in the reconstruction of roads, water management facilities, performance of operational assignment can be easily agriculture, healthcare, schools, support to women’s rights documented with numbers. As at July 31st, 2009, the and independent media. Key projects pursued by Czech 3rd contingent PRT Logar service personnel participated PRT include: construction of ANP training and education 20 center; reconstruction of nine existing and construction of National Army and performed two basic training courses two new bridges; revitalisation of the only functional dam for Afghani Police officers. Likewise, a special course in the province and renewal of the traditional irrigation was realised for commanders of 82 polling stations system, so-called Karez. The PRT renewed and completed throughout the Logar province,“ LTC Procházka adds. construction of ten schools for both boys and girls. Since That special course focused on security procedures majority of Logar province population live on agriculture, performed by Afghani Police officers in the course of the the Czech PRT’s priorities include agricultural support, election. Czech soldiers also led police officer training with projects such as development of technical library in directly at police checkpoints, where the Czech mobile the Institute of Agriculture, or holding an apiarist course. training team attended them. Checkpoints are situated Last but not least, the projects should be mentioned at all main roads in the province and play an important that support the position of women in Afghanistan, such role in provincial control and minimising insurgent as support to education of girls, which relates to the movements, which was critical in the election period. construction of schools, or support to celebrations of the A similar cooperation has been established with the international women’s day. Afghani National Army. Training of Afghani troops is held The fact that locals take a high interest in cooperating regularly once a week, focusing on medical training, with the Czech PRT is attested by their attendance in so- vehicle driving and maintenance training, and handgun called called bidders conferences. In these gatherings, drills. An intensive driver course was also realised using PRT experts present planned projects and local firms Humvee vehicles that ANA has been equipped with. are able to develop their specific bids accordingly. The The coalition forces were not to play an active role in the last conference held at the end of June 2009 saw the course of the elections; units stayed back and activity was attendance of 129 bidders. The decision on awarding left upon the Afghani National Security Forces. In the course projects for realisation will be made in a couple of weeks of elections, members of the PRT’s military component by the means of a standard tender. The key factors continued discussions with the representatives of local FORCES ARMED REVIEW for selection of winning bid include not only price and governments, monitored security developments and were quality, but also the involvement of local people in ready to help the local government in the framework of the realisation of specific projects. It is cooperation with the quick reaction force system in case needed. Afghani Government, as well as with informal authorities Unfortunately, Afghanistan claimed its toll in the ranks supporting democratically elected government, which of the 3rd contingent members. One of the soldiers was form the key principles of the Czech PRT’s effort. severely wounded when a vehicle hit an IED on April 17th, The military component has also actively joined the 2009. Today, the individual undergoes a demanding process of reconstruction in the form of so-called quick treatment. But that is something every soldier serving in impact projects. Compared to reconstruction projects, Afghanistan must take into account. these may appear as having a minor importance, but Before the operational assignment is handed over, the contrary is true. Even small-scale projects, such as the 3rd contingent still has challenging tasks that need supplies of learning and teaching aids for local schools, be performed one-hundred percent. Only when the last equipment of the Afghani National Police, construction member of the contingent is back in the Czech Republic, of school playgrounds, or reconstruction of security the time will come for evaluating and reviewing. But it is wall, do have a major impact on how civilian population fair to say already now that maximum efforts are being perceive our forces and consequently on the security of done for this mission to succeed and for a good renown our service personnel. More than twenty quick impact of the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team. projects are realised using the funds of the Ministry of by Captain Lada Kovářová, Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, as well as private Press and Information Officer, donations. Traditionally, the endeavour of our soldiers 3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar, Operation ISAF received the support of Christian societies in the Czech Photos by 3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar Republic, as well as Oliva Foundation and Hartmann– Rico company. Presidential elections in Afghanistan, which took place on August 20th, 2009, represented a very important factor that affected the 3rd contingent’s operational assignment. ”First of all, elections in Afghanistan extended our tour to an irregular period of eight to nine months. Secondly, it also effected an early rotation of 52 members of the 4th contingent in order to provide for continuity in PRT operations, who had already joined efforts in the run-up to the elections,” Lieutenant-Colonel Procházka explains. However, the elections also brought about a whole set of specific tasks for the contingent, whose performance began virtually immediately upon the takeover of the operational assignment. ”We managed to establish an excellent cooperation with the Afghani National Police and the Afghani 21 22 Introducing edures C ad ee ecmd y euy SACT Admiral Deputy Luciano theZappata, by an welcomedItalian. visited They were discussed Picek andtopical Vlastimil ACT Headquarters Staff General of Chief and in participation as well as clubs, anddiscussions. conferences schools, of tours various with busy truly was schedule Her Forces. Armed its and Republic Czech the both represented Dvořáková then crown. with queen the decorated he – Padělek symbolic than more was František and role His ceremony. Traum, coronation Minister the D. completed Deputy Paul city, Czech Norfolk the of Mayor the from Dvořáková, became Queen Azalea. that, to addition In role. a this up take to was Republic Czech the time, first theHonoredNation. ForMost the as festivities,recogniseddays’seven theattentionduring of Picek. Vlastimil František Lieutenant-General Staff General Minister of Chief Deputy and Padělek by led delegation Czech defence of presence the in place took ceremony opening Co U.S. Norfolk, reigning Queen Czech Meeting a

in theU.S. internationalfestivities oneofthelargest time into Allies. What was originally a grew regional overfest betweenAmericansandtheir understanding (ACT) inthecity, andheldasasymbolof the basingofAlliedCommandTransformation 4p.m.April27th, before 2009,celebrating shortly FL,sawthe56thAzaleaFestival launched Norfolk, member of the Czech CastleCaptainCzechGuard,Magdalénathemember of On the same day, Deputy Minister František Padělek Padělek František Minister Deputy day, same the On Magdaléna Captain afterwards, week whole the For person in mace Norfolk the received Queen the First, Traditionally, one of the NATO nations becomes the focus the raising, flag nations NATO with Commencing r o n a tio t ACT n o f the Czech Queen Azale

James N. Mattis, who was keenly interested in current current in interested keenly was who Mattis, N. James a had cyber attacks. as such threats new from arising contingencies handle the to able be to and capabilities defence enhance to concept imperative strategic new NATO’s discussed They also on destruction. of focuses mass of which weapons Vyškov, against defence in COE Czech-based the of expand Allies other A utilisation. their could how and expertise, of fields military practical various in specialise to nations NATO a is which (COE), excellence of centers on touched they Soligan, James ACT, Lieutenant-General NATO individual to nations. assistance provide to use can will ACT ways the it reviewed how also They and NATO. of shape like the impact look could battlefield future how contingency They discussed solutions. and possible their environment security encompasses future in threats of development which and scenarios Futures, Project the Multiple debated also They instance. for Somalia of issues,touching oncounterpiracy operations theoff coast On Wednesday, 29 April 09, the Czech delegation delegation Czech the 09, April 29 Wednesday, On Staff of Chief Deputy with meeting following the In

call with the Supreme Allied Commander, General General Commander, Allied Supreme the with call

mention was made about the activities was made mention the about activities

form for elected elected for form situation in the Czech Republic and whether the latest individual is a liaison officer at the US Army Training and developments on the political scene could not have any Doctrine Command (TRADOC). The Czech senior delegation impact on operations of the Czech Armed Forces and the met all of them. On that occasion, Deputy Minister Padělek performance of Czech commitments to NATO. The Czech decorated CSM Luděk Kolesa, ACT Senior Enlisted Leader, officials reassured General Mattis that changes in the with commemorative medal on the 10th anniversary of the country’s leadership would not affect our relation to the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO. The Czech guests Alliance and our commitments. General Mattis said he then went on to visit U.S. Navy Base Little Creek and gained highly valued the Czech Republic’s contribution to joint familiarity with the mission, workings and equipment of this operational efforts in Afghanistan and recognised the U.S. Navy special component, including LCAC craft. ARMED FORCES ARMED REVIEW

performance of our service personnel. The guests then Symposium at sixtieth birthday introduced the General to the 2009 Czech Armed Forces “NATO at Sixty – Emerging Strategic Imperatives“ was Deployments Plan and an outlook for the next year. the title of symposium that took place on the fourth day of There are nine Czech servicemembers on staff tours the festival, organised by Allied Command Transformation at the HQ ACT structures. Three soldiers are members of together with the Old Dominium University. Czech national representation at HQ ACT, four personnel Policy practitioners and security experts, scholars serve on the ACT International Staff, one serves as a liaison and military specialists from both sides of the Atlantic officer at the US Joint Force Command (JFCOM) and the last debated political and military transformation of the

23 the Czech national symbols, the Karlštejn castle, and the third float carrying Queen Azalea LVI, CAPT Magda Dvořáková, rode closing the parade. On Sunday, it was time for citizens of Norfolk and for visitors to say good bye to the 56th Azalea festival. And what a successful farewell it was. A large area surrounding the immense Scope arena turned into a standing review of twenty- eight NATO nations under the title of ”NATOFest“. At high noon, the Czech Armed Forces Central Band marched into the center of area to play a mix of favourite Alliance and possible future development ramifications in tunes. Listening to them, thousands of visitors tasted relation to missions and tasks NATO is facing in the present gastronomic specialities at individual national stands: security environment. The symposium also heard addresses from Czech kolache, to French cheese to American by three Czech speakers. Ambassador with special mission fantastically colourful ice-cream. Those rather inclined for Energy Security, Mr. Václav Bartuška, set out specific to intellectual enjoyments had a possibility to browse examples to demonstrate possible risks arising from various prints, from pamphlets to high-profile books and dependence on various sources of energy. NATO Assistant get to know cultural and other gems of given countries. Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, Mr. Jiří Several times in the afternoon, musicians and dancers Šedivý, underscored the imperative for NATO to develop of the Ondráš ensemble also gripped the attention of its cooperation with the UN, EU and other international visitors. The sound of cimbalom, violins, the bass and organisations. Professor Michael Kraus, director of the signing always aroused a special attention of passers-by. Program of Russian and East European studies at the Indeed, NATOFest was the best – fabulous and original. Middlebury University in USA, covered the development of “I travel to Norfolk on business pretty often, but to Russia and its internal and foreign policy from the fall of the witness the city full of Czech music, dance, to see Czech Soviet Union to date as well as Russian relations with NATO. flags everywhere in the year of the tenth anniversary of our accession to NATO and twenty years from the fall of communism, that was an absolutely amazing experience,“ Military Band Show said NATO Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Jiří Šedivý, A venue to “Virginia International Tattoo“, the Scope in the closing of the festival. “The fact that the Czech Arena in the city of Norfolk saw concerts by military Republic was elected the most honoured nation is a sign bands on the following day. Apart from orchestras from of high prestige we enjoy within the Alliance. Our Armed the host country, uniformed military bands from Canada, Forces have much to be proud of and credit deserve all Germany, New Zealand and Norway came to show their those involved in making this event a success.“ artistry. The Czech Republic was represented by the Armed Forces Central Band. Nearly ten thousand visitors applauded a two-hour musical show full of visual and sound effects. Likewise, Vejvoda’s “Škoda lásky“ (“Roll out the barrels“) arranged by the Czech Central Band also received massive ovation, as well as a setting classical compositions by Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. A huge applause also followed after solo by Rudolf Musil, who sang a part of the song titled ”Už z hor zní zvon“ (Amazing grace).

NATOFest was the best On Saturday May 2nd, the city of Norfolk belonged to the Parade of Nations. A parade march involving dozens of floats that passed the city’s main boulevard was watched by a crowd of many thousand people. The parade was concluded by three floats presenting the Czech Republic. The first one by LTC Jana Růžičková, designed to show folk traditions carried the Ondras military Jan Procházka & Jaroslav Pajer group. The second float was fitted with a model of one of Photos by LTC Jana RŮŽIČKOVÁ and Jan PROCHÁZKA 24 Flying Alpinists ARMED FORCES ARMED REVIEW

Service personnel of the 23rd Air Force Base (Helo) Přerov practised flying and landings in mountains. Mi-171Sh engines are running at full throttle. On the port, Ecrins national park slowly fades into distance. Right before the cockpit, as if one could touch them, Alpine three-thousand- metre giants dominate the view. Soldiers onboard are slowly readying to be dropped.

In the first half of May 09, members of the 23rd AFB to transfer on their own. The plan looked quite easy, (Helo) Přerov took part in a multinational mountain but the weather decided to put our helicopter aircrews flying exercise in French Alps. From the Czech Republic, to a test before they could take on mountains. The the exercise involved fifty personnel and three Mi-171Sh originally prepared flight from Prague to Germany on helicopters. Besides pilots, flight engineers and two March 6th was cancelled due to adverse weather and full technical support teams, gunners were involved as rescheduled for Monday, March 9th, 2009. However, well. AFB Přerov introduced this military occupational neither at the beginning of the next week everything specialty several months ago in response to lessons learnt went all right. The flight route from Prague via on using helicopters on foreign-deployed operations. Regensburg, Colmar Besancon, Lion, Valence to Gap Until now, helicopter protection was the responsibility Tallard airfield needed to be abandoned due to a bad of troops carried onboard. Some of the newly assigned weather already in the German territory. Low cloud gunners had an opportunity to undergo gunner instructor base and limited visibility forced the group commander training on Lynx helicopter in the United Kingdom. to divert and land at Laupthaim airfield, Germany. “We take them to all exercises, including where, as is the case The Czech personnel were received there wholeheartedly. here, weapons are not authorised,“ explains commander of The German party immediately responded to an the group, Major Milan Koutný. “Because they look after unexpected situation, provided accommodation, troops we carry. They tell them what to do and what to refrain supplied requested fuel and operatively prepared from. They play their part on landing too. The flight engineer a demonstration of their helicopter assets. remains in the cockpit and assists in terms of following flight On the next day, front activity was imminent too; aircrews data. Gunners lean out and watch the ground, whether we chose to leave out landing in Colmar for refuelling and have room for landing. Below three meters, controlling the continued nonstop. They were able to do so because of helicopter on landing is fully their responsibility.“ four drop tanks with opacity of nearly five hundred litres of fuel, which each of the aircraft carried on external An onerous journey pylons. Despite a minor complication as of the machines To the Gap Tallard airfield located south off Grenoble, hit a bird, all Mi-171Sh eventually arrived Gap Tallard France, the three Czech Mi-171Sh helicopters were airfield. 25 P Tricky turbulence In the mountains, helicopters seek at least a relatively flat bed for landing and land. The door literally pours French troops with rifles and antitank weapons. While warfighters are slogging in snow, the aircrew does not wait a second and lifts off. Mountains can be tricky. Already at the initial stage of the exercise, one of the helicopters dropped several tens of metres owing to turbulence. Above what often seemed to be a flat place suitable for landing, most diverse air streams flew and it was simply impossible to land there. There was the so- called orographic turbulence. In other instances, Czech helicopters landed on quite steep terrain while leaning their nose wheel on the ground and keeping the back of the helicopter in the air. The exercise was organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA). Apart from the Czech aircrews, it involved helicopter crews from France, Hungary and Spain. British and Belgian personnel participated as non- flight personnel. Taking off Gap Tallard at six hundred metres above sea level, the machines were able to claim above mountain ranges three thousand metres high quite fast. While the first week was dominated by mountain flight and landings practice, the second week saw two exercises held. One of them was conceived as a demonstration for VIPs. The organisers are committed to holding this event on annual basis. ”It’s their first activity; upon evaluation, they would like to continue in the years ahead. The EDA intends to offer the exercise as a standard predeployment training. The training focuses on flying in mountainous environment. In our case, we are preparing for Afghanistan,“ says Major Koutný. Scottish English Staying in France also helped practise communication in English, because helicopters flew in formations. For example, our helicopter aircrews flew together through glens together with Spanish Chinook and Cougar machines. Puma, Gazelle, Tiger and Agusta A-109 helicopters were also present. The involvement of British forward air

26 of theircountry. typical something bringing parties involved with the of held each was dinner international event, cultural a As Lieutenant what Vladimír we Marek. do,“ emphasises communicationwas pretty challenging, but that is apart of a spoke they and an truly wasenriching experience. units ”By coincidence, SASthey were Scottish, elite the from (FAC) controllers Photos byPhotos Jan KOUBA and Vladimír MAREK jr.

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27 ARMED FORCES REVIEW >GEDA>8> 6 C< >8 ' I % A % 6 . Baltic Air Policing: 7

& # @ D C Czech Gripens I>C <:C }G over the Baltic region I6 QRA aircraft take turns taking off from the runway at Shiauliai air force base. First, two Danish F-16s get airborne, then two Czech JAS-39C Gripen fighters. A couple of minutes later, already united in a spectacular formation, they flew over heads of approximately thirty VIP guests as the ceremony on May 1st, 2009, came to a head on the occasion of takeover of operational assignment, the responsibility for protecting the airspace of the three Baltic states by the

Foreign Operations Foreign contingent of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.

Defending the airspace over the three Baltic states, Armed Forces of the Czech Republic led by Deputy Joint Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the framework of the Force Commander-Commander Air Force, Colonel Jiří NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) – Verner. After opening remarks, Danish flag is retrieved that is the operational assignment of the Czech Armed and Czech flag raised on the mast. Commander of Forces contingent until September 1st, 2009, mandated the Royal Danish Air Force contingent, Major Jorgen by both Chambers of the Parliament of the Czech Jorgensen, takes a wooden key and hands it over to Republic. “Based on the principle of collective defence, the hands of the commander of the Czech unit, Major nineteen contingents from thirteen countries served Jaroslav Míka, symbolically passing the airspace over their operational tours here. The Baltic states, having the territory and territorial waters of Estonia, Latvia no own supersonic capability, requested the North and Lithuania to the members of the Armed Forces of Atlantic Treaty Organisation to extend the mandate till the Czech Republic. “My feelings are mixed. On one 2018,“ specifies the Czech Republic’s defence attaché hand, this is an end to a demanding several months’ in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Colonel Libor Straka. predeployment training, while operational assignment Friday, May 1st, 2009. Two military units, Danish and commences on the other hand, and hence I fell a great Czech one, are standing lined up before the low QRA responsibility for its performance,“ says MAJ Míka. (Quick Reaction Alert) building. Facing them, VIP guests A seventy-five member Czech Armed Forces contingent assumed their positions, including members of the Czech comprising personnel from five units is primarily fomred diplomatic corps in Baltic States and a delegation of the by personnel of the 21st Air Force Base Čáslav. Over the period of four months, they will operate both at the Shiauliai Air Force Base, and the Karmelava control and reporting center. Particularly seven QRA pilots will be closely followed by experts and the public. “There is no specificity in policing the airspace over the Baltic region. We do the same job as we do from our home base. NATO procedures and time limits apply both at Čáslav as well as at Shiauliai,“ states Major Radoslav Matula, and his colleagues First Lieutenant Petr Dřevecký and Major Roman Svoboda add that their command 28 airports at Vilnius, Kaunas, Riga andTallinn.at Vilnius, Kaunas, airports civilian are emergency of case in aiports alternate their 15 that confirms and Míka Major explains (approx. border,“ national miles nautical eight than closer not reality, In not business. our of must none is it We where get border. air their of proximity the of aware a have Federation, Russian the and Byelorussia countries, of responsibility is approximately three times larger larger times from three protected one the approximately than is responsibility a of is that There statement Republic. the CZech the in as with Lithuania in same the be agree will everything fully cannot one But says tasks,“ Commander21stColonel PetrMikulenka, AFBČáslav. their manage not would protection, force including personnel, ground and flight of ranks the from from. operate we I globe the on location which matter, really not does it support, logistic and technical relevant a not is from operate location we ”The Germany. of South in Centre) Operations Air (Combined 2 CAOC same: the remains also echelon

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29 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Baltic Air Policing mission ALFA taking Gripens off

Training flights (Tango Scramble) are registered in dozens. That is a day-to-day duty for Czech QRA pilots safeguarding the airspace over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whereas Alfa scramble flights are exceptional. Indeed, you would just need one hand to count Alfa scramble sorties performed by the previous nineteen contingents in the Baltic Air Policing operation.

Foreign Operations Foreign nautical miles wide at the south border of Lithuania with the Russian Federation.“ Nine minutes on, the twosome of Gripens arrive the designated area. Visual contact determines that the aircraft in question is a small commercial turboprop with German registration. QRA pilots attempt to establish radio communication on the 121.50 MHz international emergency frequency. No success. Therefore, the Controlling and Reporting Centre (CRC) in Karmelava orders them to take a closer look at the followed target to possibly find out an emergency happening onboard. Once they rule that out, the turboprop’s flight is monitored until landing at an airport nearby Klaipeda. Consequent communication shows that there are two

The twenty-first day of May 2009 will enter the memory of the 1st Czech Armed Forces contingent responsible for protection of the airspace of the three Baltic countries in an indelible manner. ”The Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Germany declared Alfa Scramble at 17:30 hours,“ says Lieutenant-Colonel David Schreier from the contingent staff and specifies: ”Two QRA JAS- 39C Gripen machines, piloted by Major Roman Svoboda and First Lieutenant Jiří Čermák, were airborne eleven minutes after the take-off order. Their target was a commercial airplane that violated no-fly zone eight

30 this is not an easy thing to do. I do. to thing easy an not is this a with moreover night, At benotaffected. must safety flight time, at same the and, says Lieutenant-Colonel Schreier. Republic,“ the Czech the of comprising Forces Armed the of personnel contingent ground as well as flight the of professionalism and readiness requisite proved itself flight the and limits time meeting that it us, For is critical Authority. Aviation Civil Lithuanian the to over handed be will airplane civilian this by zone no-fly the violating a “Investigation into Klaipeda. of cockpit, city seaside the the to heading in tourists German represent an important data item for identification. identification. for item marks data I Registration important level. an flight represent machine, and of speed type the heading, as such information, necessary I hemisphere, rear the ”From fighter. supersonic multirole Gripen JAS-39 the in were hundred flight hours in cockpits of of aircraft, military whichfour- Air 2,400 spent has who experienced Svoboda, Roman Major an pilot, Force explains once,“ at him for yourself not to expose “It is data. tactical target initial them gives with the communication CRC twenty. Pilots establish that one- heading at level flight airborne, designated the to climb they get they Once Lithuania. airport, Shiauliai at the runway again off take day, On two Gripens the second A four-month effort

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31 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Six-month preparation of air defence personnel from Strakonice culminated in the supreme test of their competence, a tactical live-fire exercise using the 2K12 KUB (SA-6 Gainful) system at aerial targets. They passed their vocational exam under the name of “BALT 2009“ in the Ustka Military Training Area in Poland.

Exercise BALT 2009 Six Missiles onto Three Targets

“Centralny Poligon Sil Powietrznych Ustka” was the both from the 25th Surface-to-Air Missile Brigade venue to live fire exercise of Czech ground-based air (SAM Bde) and from other units and components of defence units for the eighth consecutive time. “The Polish Czech Armed Forces, accompanied by specialists from training area at the Baltic Sea is the best accessible and the RETIA Pardubice joint stock company. “We performed most suitable location for the Armed Forces of the Czech a combined long-distance movement. A convoy carrying Republic, where this system may perform live firing,“ says eight 3M9M3 missiles arrived on road, equipment and Colonel Marek Kalanin, Chief of GBAD service and points materiel was transported on railway and air assets, out that tactical live fire exercises like this in Bulgaria specifically two An-26 aircraft, were used to bring in the for instance or in Crete would claim substantially higher service personnel for the exercise,“ states the Chief of costs. Staff 25th SAM Brigade Strakonice, Lieutenant-Colonel At the turn of June and July, one-hundred and twenty Jaroslav Ackermann. military professional transferred to the north of Poland, The train comprised eighteen carriages and the journey from Strakonice station to the siding in the Ustka military training area took nearly three days. ”We got a little bit behind the schedule due to technical malfunction on one of the railway company’s carriages and because of flood in the south of Poland,“ specifies Warrant Officer Václav Štěpánek.

A premiere for modernised SURN radars This year’s BALT again featured some innovations. The most remarkable novelty were the SURN CZ modernised control radar systems manufactured by RETIA Pardubice. Following successful military acceptance tests (BALT 2007), 32 Six Missiles onto Six Three Missiles Targetsonto BALTExercise 2009 rises considerably. “We may not let nervousness pass pass nervousness let not may “We considerably. rises also away, adrenaline kilometres two position Alfa At the radar commander. the says negative,“ usually is result the seconds, do you the If away. once rolls target platform the intercept to time reaction a have shorter you thereby and speeds higher about is it from aircraft Bravo, combat subsonic ALCA L-159 at with domestically, training colleague His Radek Officer Warrant Cvetinov. Boris the confident Lieutenant confides are step,“ decisive and we final the but manage will crew long, was preparation The “I aircraft). an from launched kilograms 75 weighing and diameter (a SRCP-WR target the – aerial adversary imaginary the at missile the ”Pusk“ shoot the will they ”P“, red arm the pushing to and, buttons keys (start) turn will who greatest systems, CZ The SURN radar of platform. commanders on the focuses already from attention drone target the of separation monitor to crew fires each enabling system missiles, perform the batteries arming without drills, other and checks Bravo functionality and 2P25M2 on Alfa position four beach. firing D-day, the assume the guns, the to called go launchers, to hours Eighty-four environment.“ system control a in targets real intercept to capability battery’s fire the verify will we Here, system. KUB 2K12 will They head. a ground-based to whether first-hand theyexperience are able of to comes operate the training professionals where defence means air all by is This June. in “We terminating and January in starting into adds: periods four assets and Prskavec forces assigned Petr of preparation Major divided deputy His Dalibor Zvonek. Lieutenant-Colonel Bn, SAM commander says a is exercise tactical BALT 2009 the guys, the a about For certification. final with training crew battery all operator an intensive We by in performed combat. elements action joint of harmonisation to individual training from stages the all passed Bn SAM 251st of best our members The exercise. fire live exerted this in succeed to we efforts preparation, of “At stages batteries. individual fire the of the crews operator were the especially players Battalion, Missile end Surface-to-Air 251st the of important members most the However, (RACCOS and SFDC). systems systems control and communication command and MRRP) and as (PuPoSy such equipment, special a offered Sea Baltic the at beaches sandy systems, radar SURN modernised the from Apart age.“ digital to analogue the fromtransferred they and forward years brigade’smovedthirty25ththehistory ofimaginaryclock General Jiří Halaška, put it precisely in Ustka, Poland: “The networks.Two years ago, the then Joint Force Commander, the enabled system modernisationto high- be theintegrated new into and advanced command with ones and performancecontrol replaced were subsystems to-maintain difficult- and obsolete their that secret no is It ever. time theSURNswere employed liveforfire exercise for the first

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33 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Exercise BALT 2009

However, the weather over the Baltic Sea is not really much in favour of the Czech Armed Forces’ GBAD units on exercise. Only during the first practice attack Iskra aircraft imitate the agreed engagement scenario. Then they turn to combat heading towards fires batteries

Training individually. In spite of that, the Tuesday morning session is assessed positively. ”The practise met its objective. Six practice attacks were performed, during which crews got even closer to the reality of live fire. Although tomorrow the missile will fly in a different mode, the methodology of tracking and intercepting the target remains the same. Practice is now over. Tomorrow we are going live. Eight missiles on four targets,“ says commander 25th Surface-to-Air Brigade, Colonel Josef Slavík.

onto guys from the crew. It is rather about calming the down. One must be cold-blooded and concentrate oneself Three seconds to decide mission (un) as much as possible. We wish each other the best of luck success and off we go,“ concur both Lieutenant David Broum and A peek at storm clouds is scaring. When thunder roars Warrant Officer Jan Hochman. over the sea and rain starts to come down, it causes shagreen with some individuals of the SAM brigade Strakonice. There we are: the first of July is designated “Iskras“ on combat heading as day for live fire of the 251st surface-to-air battalion. The time for the 251st SAM Bn to conduct live fire The Brigade command post (the “tent“) receives the draws quickly near. The final check is up, the so- first order from exercise director, COL Slavík. “Declaring called registration shooting. “To train tracking the G one twenty.“ The fire control officer staff immediately flight trajectory of both the SRCP-WR target drone and conveys that to subordinate units: “Alfa ten, Bravo its launch platform, we are using the flight effort of ten, G-120, arm missiles,“ orders Colonel Stanislav a twosome of the Polish TS-11 Iskra jet trainer aircraft,“ Štěpánek. Sixty minutes on, the brigade command and explains Lieutenant-Colonel Petr Hromek from the Joint control post gets ”sixty“. ”Alfa ten, Bravo ten, G-60, Force Command at the training area control tower. activate missiles,“ the radio voices.

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PolishSu-22M4fighter bomber already Staff ACR in conclusion of the BALTStaff 09 exercise. of General the Chief said manner,“ effective increasingly an in system missile surface-to-air modernised you this use help will that exercise. experience valuable tactical gained this have You of goal the accomplishing Several your that. a for to put indeed were training much your of months very you I thank and to have exercise like “You fire live Slavík. to completed Colonel ACR successfully Staff Commander, General Brigade the of the Medal the bestows and individuals best the Lieutenant- commends Picek troops, Vlastimil General with Meeting satisfaction. show also Command Force Joint the and Republic Czech the of Forces Armed the of Staff General the of officials Senior relishes LTCtrue professionals,“ Zvonek. as steady held They them. not affect did factors and negative the let it into souls and hearts Battalion their put encouraging. members undoubtedly is result this training of and stage initial an at are We happy. than more “I smiling. tent, the enters Bn SAM 251 Commander being thrown into the air six times, for each missile fired. victoriousceremony,theundergoes he wheretent, the of frontcolleagues inhis by taken over.ŠtěpánekColonel is fighting is the on,minutes Thirtysay. her have to going is The second slot follows, in fact with the same program. Alfa Photos byPhotos Jan KOUBA

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35 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Soldiers with law

Training enforcement training In the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, training soldiers for crowd and riot control is the responsibility of the chief CRC instructor of the Military Police.

A reinforced platoon was advancing against the crowd without the backing of armored personnel carriers and without specialised riot control gear. Rumours were spreading among Kosovar Albanians that a special unit had been employed against them. Czech soldiers snatched sticks of the people standing closest with their bare hands and threw them back into the crowd.

Such difficult moments were experienced by the members diesel to the altar and set the church on fire. What did of the Czech contingent in KFOR during unrests in Kosovo not fell to the fire, the ensuing explosion completed. in March 2004. But despite necessary improvising, they have not always been as successful as in Lipjan, Kosovo. For instance, around 500 people gathered in Podujevo Starting from scratch and set out to a nearby border crossing to Serbia. However, “It were particularly these events that caused us to fifteen minutes on, they turned around and headed for consider both special equipment for soldiers deployed a Serbian orthodox church. They started to pull bricks for KFOR and their training for crowd and riot control,“ out from the church wall with their bare hands, then they recalls Captain Radim Hlubůček of the Military Police forced out the gate. A handful of our soldiers, without the time five years ago. “We selected suitable personnel any equipment and riot control training, were forced to to cover this specialty. One of them is the current Military retreat. Raging people rolled a couple of barrels with Police Chief Instructor for Crowd and Riot Control, 36 Warrant Officer Miloslav Hanus. He relies on several other military police personnel in posts of certified instructors.“ Each of those individuals passed an internship with the Special Response Unit of the Police of the Czech Republic, which has an ample experience in this subject- matter area. The members of this SWAT type of unit were called to duty in large-scale events such as the meeting of the International Monetary Fund and NATO Summit in 2002. In addition to that, Warrant Officer Miloslav FORCES ARMED REVIEW Hanus is in the process of completing studies at the Police Academy. To gain an instructor’s certificate, individuals are required, besides the mentioned practical experience, to practically participate in a real police crowd control operation, to have completed shotgun shooting course and an instructor training to be able to lead training sessions on crowd and riot control, police actions, shooting training, convoy security and close protection. They also have a first aid course. First of all, it was essential to develop adequate tactics. Of course, the expertise of Special Rapid Response Unit of the Police of the Czech Republic was used, but adapted to Kosovo conditions. Moreover, riot control tactics develop continuously. Rather passive eight or ten years ago, the tactics is much more proactive at present. Based on intelligence, or information on unlawful action endangering health or lives of KFOR members, the response commander is authorised to identify most aggressive individuals to be then apprehended.

Area Denial Predeployment training of all contingents initially included a two-hour lecture on crowd and riot control. That naturally did not suffice. At present, all members of the D-Coy, an executive component of the contingent, undergo a seven-day practical training that includes academic training of at least four hours. Preparation designed for incident response commanders and staff focuses on specific aspects of deployment for non- standard operations of law-enforcement nature. The Czech contingent in KFOR has included a police training instructor for quite some time. Thanks to that, Warrant Officer Hanus spent four months in Kosovo on armour gear and helmet as well as drills with tonfa a tour. The training itself is graduated; it commences and riot control shield. before deployment with individual training, and then Shooting is practised, as it inevitably differs from military team, platoon and company level training follows. standards. In addition to that, contingent members are Instructors concentrate on practical usage of body able to gain experience with shooting shotguns with focus 37 security of KFOR forces. If someone claims they acted erroneously, it is possible to check the footage. Special training includes preparation for situations when riot control teams are attacked with lethal force. The training includes drills for withdrawal, taking cover, replacement and relieving by standard military units. “These operations rank among the most demanding. Some Allied contingents of the Multinational Task Force Center use the very same team for both police and military operations. However, the option of replacing the riot control unit with a military one, which is on standby on specifics of using non- for such contingency, clearly appears to be much more lethal munitions. In that efficient to us,“ stresses Warrant Officer Hanus. case, cartridges with Special training also includes overcoming fear or mental plastic pellets or plastic barriers when the crowd hurl so-called Molotov cocktails spherical bullets are and other incendiary devices. used. This is something Likewise, the equipment of crowd and riot control units completely different than improved substantially. Each individual has a riot shield, soldiers are normally used body armour with helmet, fire-resistant hood, gloves, to. “We also practise drills protective mask with filter against industrial agents, of person apprehension, a tonfa, baton, extinguishing spray and a bandage packet. search and evacuation, Some soldiers also have dedicated pyrotechnical devices. line maintaining and All of that is complemented with collective equipment, restoring, clearing an area occupied by the crowd and other including means of transport, escort vehicles, water purely law-enforcement actions,“ elaborates the chief cannons, truck tankers for replenishment, engineer and instructor. medical hardware plus possibly helicopters. “In this Specialist training is naturally a dedicated effort with respect, we still have a room for improvement in Kosovo. different focus. For instance, drivers learn to use their The fire engine that we have available here is not adapted vehicles in crowd control operations. They also train joint to serve as a riot control water cannon. Contrary to police procedures with crowd control squads and area denial vehicles, the fire truck only has a single engine so that manoeuvres. Firefighters are trained to gain familiarity it is unable to deliver water at full throttle when on the with tactics employed by units in controlling the crowd move,“ explains the chief instructor. “We also lack hand and practise mutual cooperation; the same applies to grenades and blades attachable to armored vehicles to K-9 personnel. penetrate makeshift barriers.“ Fire support group trains shooting non-lethal ammunition (plastic bullets) with shotguns, and the use of P1 and P2 flashbangs and military pyrotechnical devices. In such Side by side for the time being cases, the cooperation comes into play between the There are also certain challenges in the level of response team and a rifleman, or a group of riflemen. harmonisation among individual national response units Snipers are only assigned from the level of the HQ in KFOR. Those train side by side in Kosovo, but most Multinational Task Force Center. of the time not as a single formation. “We are seeking The MNTF-C includes a TPT (Tactical Psyops Team) ways to possibly practise operations together with the comprising translators and consultants to establish Irish or Swedes. During the six-month tour, there are contact with the crowd. Our unit also has the possibility several large-scale exercises with model scenarios held to use locally hired interpreters. “Communication takes in the territory of Kosovo, where individual national place in a slightly different manner than we are used to, contingents participate, but they do not have the for instance with the Police of the Czech Republic. There possibility to practise joint performance of individual are certain specific aspects we needed to implement to types of police actions,“ states Miloslav Hanus. “It also our tactics. The possibility for preventive measures is very much depends on what conditions the contingent substantially lower in such situations than back home,“ provides for us. Sometimes we get two platoons that we emphasises Miloslav Hanus. can work with all the time. The other two platoons do not undergo this training prior to deployment; they are only trained in Kosovo. In other instances, only two days are Getting used to flames scheduled for such type of training, the other platoons A combat camera team, a sort of documentary group, is then train on other two days. A comprehensive exercise responsible to record chaotic situations according to is then held at the end. Since the time when a police commander’s instructions. As a part of the multinational training instructor has been included on the contingent, task force, this element may be requested by the response there are glimmers of better times are on the horizon commander if needed. Our unit may use the services in this specialty area. of a documentarist. The obtained recordings are used by Vladimír MAREK not only for after action reviews, but they also increase Photos by Vladimír Marek and Military Police 38 ulfctos f owr ar otolr, u as to also but controllers, air forward of qualifications enhance and maintain to both designed is exercise “The Base Training Areas. Military and Libavá and Brdy Force of Air battle Náměšť the of from order division the multinational in activities combat performed jointly units other and crews their with hardware the Weighill, all Robert Brigadier Division, Armoured (UK) 1st Commander by led 2009, 15th, May till 27th April From Albatros. L-39 Lithuanian and aircraft AWACS E3D E3A and two helicopters, Lynx trainers, Hawk Tornado fighters, British GR4 as well as vehicle, aerial unmanned Sojka III Force, Air Czech of aircraft rotary-wing HVM and wing and mortars fixed- of types all air: the 86-mm In systems. defence air Rapier launchers, rocket GMLRS systems plus 155-mm AS defence gun 90 howitzers, self-propelled air RBS-70 and KUB vehicles, fighting infantry Canada BMP-2 tanks, M4CZ T-72 Netherlands, ground: the On Denmark. and Lithuania, Slovakia, Kingdom, United the from professionals military Forces thousand two and Armed Czech the from soldiers hundred Fifteen andairepisodes. includeddozens ofsimilarjointground exercise Training Area.ThescenariooftheFlyingRhinocommand-post Libavá Military andMajorNikkiThomasflying Hillard to an“enemy“convoyTornado GR4 inthe area.Inreality,in aCzechtraining Jimmy MogensenguidesMajorHelen Captain target isleadinga Britishfighteronto aground aircontroller A Danishforward Flying Rhino 09 Exercise involvement of land forces. ”What originally was a was originally ”What forces. land of involvement down to tactical components was activated. Missions Missions activated. was components tactical to down division increased from system and control and scenario Command complexity. the escalated The skills. phase basic second on (FAC) Controllers Air which Forward exercise, and the units training on that centered days, flight secret thirteen included no is It individual procedures. practising and harmonising on focused first with phases, two into divided is Rhino Flying year’s This MAJ specifies Štefánek. Forces,“ the Land of on members personnel are service exercise of thirds two Approximately exercise. international an into time over grew event, air us f lig hn, hr i a previous is the there Rhino, to Flying compared of that runs adds and Štefánek, Jakub Major context,“ Coordinator, Chief 09 Rhino Flying international the says an in moreover operations, air and ground of formations plan tactical and the into units together drawn Various are assets. air and involving artillery fire live controlling of coordination joint train

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39 ARMED FORCES REVIEW Training

of the troops focus on their firing sector. ”Our formation also includes soldiers from the British air defence unit,“ says First Lieutenant Jan Komínek. His words are abruptly cut by a assault rifle burst. The patrol is under attack by “terrorists“. Contact with enemy turns into an intensive firefight. Troops of the Czech-British force are trying to get round the adversary. Under cover fire, they are advancing foot by foot. In the closing stage, they throw hand-grenades at enemy positions. “Clear, clear,“ resounds soon from several places. “To outsiders, it may sometimes seem that we play soldiers, or war. But they would be wrong. We practise to be adequately prepared for our mission. Many of us already served operational tours on foreign operations, so that we are able to imagine uneasy situations there,“ says Lieutenant Daniel Dubovský. First lieutenant Komínek comments: ”Joint international exercises like this one undoubtedly enhance professionalism of each soldier. Besides communicating in English, we share valuable advice and lessons. Every opportunity for working together must be used. Flying Rhino is were also performed in electronic warfare environment. a big plus for us.“ Major James Mardlin, a British officer, A joint action involving land forces and air force assets in whose subordinates may also take credit in the patrol’s a tactical situation without combat fire took place in the ”victory”, concurs with his statement. “Any operational Libavá MTA, while the Brdy MTA saw a live fire support. deployment requires that we work closely together. Success is contingent on apparent details; that is my experience from operational deployments in Iraq and Clearing the Anensky Hill Afghanistan. I regard opportunities to train with foreign Monitoring the situation and patrolling, that was one of partners as beneficial,“ he adds. the principal assignments of company-equivalent task force (CoyTF) of the 7th Mechanised Brigade. “Our unit is a part of the Libavá task force, comprising Czech, Majors attacking British and Danish military professionals. The objective A cloud of dust grows grows in the target zone of Čermná is to maintain a safe and secure environment in assigned fire area and a deafening bang follows. Pilot Helen area of responsibility. The scenario of episodic incidents Hillard, after dropping a bomb at “enemy“ vehicle is based on recent operational experience involving convoy, pulls the Tornado up sharply, to free the space NATO forces,“ explains Captain Přemysl Štěpánek, Chief up for another fighter to attack. Insiders know that she of Staff the 71st mechanised battalion in Hranice and was not alone in the assault. One of her aides on the Commander CoyTF at Libavá. Just a couple of minutes ago, ground was a FAC, a forward air controller. This time, his soldiers cleared one of the structures on the Anensky the FAC was Captain Jimmy Mogensen of Denmark. “We Hill free of the opponent. Following the road, a reinforced were successful again. Insurgents got some beating. squad are now advancing to another checkpoint. Each I am scoring a successful control onto target,“ smiles 40 provide CAS, the close air support. “We employ two to to two employ four helicopters “We in individual slots,“ explains support. Lieutenant- a air close the CAS, “RAT“ provide the to is today mission Their spaces. air exercise arrive designated Náměšť Helicopter 221st Squadron the from helicopters Hind Mi-24/35 area.“ training of the Libavá military landscape hilly and rugged this in lessons new many learn we and experience another about is It one. this like I Nevertheless, to need You be trained. can everything not experience. predisposition; some have personal controlling my is percent that success, “Ninety-five mistakes. make may controllers air CAPT forward even says that admits and explanations,“ Mogensen lengthy for time no is There cockpit. airplane the from vision pilot’s the imagine and the I cone. attack final and description to coordinates, data target the target instance, For pilot. formula, prescribed to according of aircrew I Then helicopter. right that attack or aircraft the tactical prove to speaking to is yourself, controller right identify the mutually to need you a normally is target the onto aircraft the “Controlling to art. FAC the in of tour comfortable his recalls is he a he allows then and with, Afghanistan officer start To interview. Dannish an give the and arrive, a are There British of Tornado aircrew female GR4. the with farewell visual a makes and officer the

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ARMED FORCES REVIEW REP H UB EC L Z IC C

ARMED FORCES ARMED REVIEW