SVK and CZ CBR experts on exercise in Zemianske Kostoľany (11 September) On 8 – 12 September, the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Training and Testing Centre Zemianske Kostoľany hosted a joint training exercise of small CBR teams from the Slovak and Czech Republics. The Rožňava-based CBR Defence Company, participating in the exercise, is among the SVK Armed Forces’ declared units for the European Union. The company’s preparation was joined with that of a CBR unit from the Czech Liberec-based CBR Regiment. In the upcoming period, a series of joint exercises are planned for Slovak and Czech CBR specialists at military training facilities in both countries. ● Under the auspices of Military Ordinary Mons František Rábek and police and military chaplains, the 9th SVK Armed Forces Ordinariate’s National Military Pilgrimage to Rome took place on 7 – 13 September. The event saw 200 professional Slovak soldiers, members of the Police Corps, Firefighters Corps, Prison and Judicial Guard Corps with their family members come together, accompanied by the SVK Armed Forces Honour Guard Unit. On 10 September, Pope Francis received the pilgrims during a general audience.
STB meets in Slovakia
(15 September) On 15 – 19 September, the Slovak Republic is hos ng a mee ng of the NATO Science and Technology Board (STB). Dubbed FALL 2014 NATO STB, the mee ng has brought together over 150 experts from NATO member states to discuss the current science and technology issues. The aim of the event is to adopt decisions enhancing co‐ opera on among Allies in developing defence capa‐ bili es via science, research and new technology. In the words of SVK Minister of Defence Mar n Glváč: “The results of such mee ngs contribute to the de‐ velopment of NATO Member and Partner countries’ defences.” As part of the session on 15 September, a symposium en tled Autonomous Systems and Their Applica on took place at the SVK MOD. The NATO STB meets biannually, in spring at the head‐ quarters of the NATO Science and Technology Or‐ ganiza on (NATO STO) in Paris and in autumn in a NATO member country. All mee ngs are chaired by the head of the NATO STB, a posi on currently held by Maj Gen Albert Husniaux.
Key message from Milan
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(10 September) Discussions of the progress made in the further development of the EU’s Common Secu‐ rity and Defence Policy (CSDP) in the context of the latest developments were at the heart of the infor‐ mal mee ng of defence ministers in Milan on 9 – 10 September. The SVK delega on to the mee ng was led by the State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of De‐ fence, Miloš Koterec. In light of the situa onal de‐ velopments, the mee ng’s agenda incorporated a debate on the security situa on in the EU’s neigh‐ bourhood from Ukraine, through to Iraq and Libya. The key message sent out from Milan is the necessi‐ ty to reinforce the EU’s defence capabili es. One of the ways to achieve this goal is to step up defence co‐opera on among the EU’s member states. Therefore, Slovakia voiced its support for the work to be done in this area. Another significant factor that shaped the discussions was the NATO summit in Wales and the possible impact of the adopted de‐ cisions on the CSDP’s future direc on. Most defence ministers stated their support for achieving a high level of complementariness and synergy between both organiza ons. The ministers addressed the is‐ sues surrounding the EU Ba le Groups and the op‐ ons to boost the EU’s rapid response capaci es. Among the themes discussed was also the strategic direc on of the European Defence Agency and the CSDP’s five ongoing opera ons. In compliance with the foreign policy priori es of the Slovak Republic, State Secretary Miloš Koterec expressed Slovakia’s support for ALTHEA’s execu ve mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
● On 8 – 13 September, a visit to an air force base and a military facility was organized in accordance with the politically binding Vienna Document 2011 regulations. Slovakia, represented by the Slovak Verification Centre personnel and selected members of the SVK General Staff, SVK Land Forces and SVK Air Force, organized a visit to the CBR Protection Battalion Rožňava and Sliač AFB – Combined Wing. The OSCE’s invitation was accepted by 42 representatives from 25 participating states and two partner organizations.
EOD remembrance place
(9 September) A memorial place with St. Barbora statue was unveiled in the premises of the National EOD Centre in Nováky. The ceremony was attended by Brig Jindřich Joch, Commander of the SVK General Staff’s Crisis Management Strategic Centre, Lt Col Matthew Atkins, US Defence Attaché in Slovakia, Col Mons František Pouček, SVK Armed Forces Vicar General, and other guests. “The work of EOD specialists and ammunition technicians is very demanding and they risk their lives in every intervention. Our EOD teams have also demonstrated a high level of proficiency during the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, where they have been serving since 2008,” said Martin Glváč, SVK Minister of Defence. Brig Joch and Lt Col Atkins highly appreciated the involvement of the Slovak EOD unit in operations abroad, especially in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. The event’s atmosphere was enriched by a vocal performance of a military pensioners’ group.
● On 10 September, in the presence of Lt Gen Marián Áč, Chief of the SVK President’s Military Office, a ceremonial muster of the SVK Presidential Honour Guard took place in the area of Duklianske Kasárne Barracks. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, military orders were read out by SVK Minister of Defence, Chief of the SVK General Staff, and Chief of the SVK Presidential Honour Guard. Apart from that, selected unit members were awarded SVK Minister of Defence 3rd Class Commemorative Medals, SVK Chief of the General Staff 2nd and 3rd Class Military Medals, Slovak Armed Forces 2nd and 3rd Class Badges of Honour, SVK Chief of the General Staff 2nd and 3rd Class Badges, and SVK Presidential Honour Guard Badges. ● Representatives of France, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Serbia, the Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Great Britain, and Slovakia met in Trenčín to participate in the ECRAF International Congress. Among the issues discussed were the training of security military units with the right of way with respect to road safety and drivers’ skills and the differences in road safety between civilian and military vehicles. ● On 11 September, Col Martin Stoklasa, Training and Support Forces (TSF) Commander, welcomed Lt Gen Milan Maxim, SVK Chief of the General Staff, at the TSF Headquarters. The commander introduced the main TSF HQ staff to Lt Gen Maxim and updated him on the 2014 training year tasks and the current state of the reorganization process. The SVK Chief of the General Staff thanked the main TSF HQ staff for the accomplished work and awarded Col Stoklasa the SVK Chief of the General Staff Commemorative Plaque.
Combat rescuers courses
(11 September) At its detached workplace in Liptovský Mikuláš, the Office of SVK Armed Forces Surgeon General has been organizing specialized combat rescuers courses for more than a year. The course participants are especially soldiers with a perspective to be deployed on international crisis management operations abroad. The main reason of the schooling is a lack of medics in our section- and platoon-sized units. The most important part of the course is the practical training of ten-member groups in providing tactical care when in battlefield under fire and evacuation of wounded soldiers to safety.
AMPLE STRIKE 2014 (12 September) An international tactical exercise AMPLE STRIKE 2014 (AMSE14) was held on the territory of the Czech Republic on 3 – 15 September, led by the Army of the Czech Republic, in co-operation with NATO militaries and foreign partners, and supported by NATO HQ AIRCOM Ramstein. The exercise was aimed at coordinating the activities of tactical aviation pilots and forward air controllers (FACs) in supporting land operations; providing suitable facilities and background to enhance the skills needed for applying direct air support procedures and standardized practices; and promoting the interoperability of the military personnel who deploy on ISAF operations to Afghanistan. The exercise was conducted from several military installations, including 22nd Helicopter Base near Náměšť nad Oslavou, 21st Tactical Aviation Base in Čáslav, and Boletice and Libavá Training Areas. A total of 11 NATO member states (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania,
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Latvia, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia, the USA, and the UK) participated in the exercise. Alongside the usual types of aircraft, also U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopters and a C-295M Casa transport aircraft were involved in the exercise. Led by Maj Radovan Cingela, a total of 54 SVK Air Force members took part in the exercise.
September 8. - 14, 2014