czech armed forces review 1-2009

7/27/2019 Czech Armed Forces Review 1-2009

1/44

CZEC

HREPUBL

IC

1/2009

Foreign operations

the key to security


2/44

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 andMinister of Defence, H.E. Martin Bartk. Apart from visitingCzech deployment at Camp Sajkovac, Prime Minister Fischerand Minister Bartk had a meeting with Commander KFOR,Lieutenant-General Giuseppe E. Gay, the President of theRepublic of Kosovo, H.E. Fatmir Seidiu, and the Prime Minister,H.E. Hashim Thaci.

Since NATO is considering progressive downsizingof KFORs force posture, Prime Minister Fischer andDefence Minister Bartk were particularly interestedin the current security situation. The transformationof KFOR and reduction of deployed Allied forces is contingenton a positive development of security situation in Kosovo.The Czech Republic again plans to assign a sizeablecontingent next year. The number of Czech service personnelin Kosovo in the years ahead depends on the course of actiontaken by NATO, said Minister Bartk.

At present, a Czech Armed Forces contingent withauthorised strength of 550 personnel operates as a partof KFOR. The 15th contingents core comprises the membersof the 131st Artillery Battalion the 13th Artillery Brigadebased 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 from54 units and components of the Armed Forces of the CzechRepublic according to required occupational specialties.Women comprise approximately 8% of the total numberof contingent members.

Photos by MAJ Jana ZECHMEISTEROV


3/44

Contents

CZECH ARMED FORCES REVIEW1/2009Published by Ministry of Defence ofthe Czech Republic, Presentationand Information Centre

Address:Rooseveltova 23

161 05 Praha 6Czech RepublicTel.: + 420-973 215 5 53Tel./fax: + 420-973 215 569E-mail: [email protected]

Identifcation number: 60162694

www.army.cz

Date of publication:21 August 2009

Editor-in-chief:Jan Prochzka

Layout:Jaroslava Laanov

Translation:Jan Jindra

Printed by:TISKRNA K-TIS K s. r. o.

Distributed by AVIS:Rooseveltova 23161 05 Praha 6Czech RepublicTel.: + 420-973 215 6 02

Registration number:MK R E 18227

ISSN 1803-2125

MoD Czech Republic

Presentationand Information Centre

General, the Czech Republics six-month Presidency of

the Council of the European Union is over. In spite ofthat, what did this internationally important stage of

the membership of the Czech Republic in the EuropeanUnion meant for your staff?

By all means, it was a great experience of intensivelyinteracting in an international environment, whilethe whole team of the military section of the CzechRepublics permanent representation in the EU washeavily involved, as well as the Permanent Delegationto NATO, in pushing individual priorities of the European

Security andDefence Policy.O ur work primarily focusedon three key areas: military capability development,military operations of the EuropeanUnion andlast butnot least the EuropeanUnions partnerships withotheri n t ern a t i on al or ga n is a t i ons ,t h a t i s w i t h NA T O,t h eUNand the AfricanUnion.That was the framework weoperatedthroughout the whole presidency.Inorde r for ust o p er forms u cces sfu l l y,a n d Ia mcondent we attainedhighly positive results inallareas,it was essentialto setthe framework for theowof informationnot only withtheACR GeneralStaff an dthe Ministry of Def ence,but alsowithour principalpartners onthe p art of the EU withthe

relevant Directorate of the Councils GeneralSecretariat,EUMilitary Staff,the Chairman of the Military Committeeof the EuropeanUnionandhis ofce andlast but not leastwiththe EUPoliticalandSecurity Committee (PSC/COPS)sectionat the Permanent Representation.

As youdiscuss informationow,or communication,howdidyou manage to harmonise civilianandmilitary

aspects of the Presidency andn d a common l a n gu age?The fact that together we hav e managed this process

successfully andset the systemright is attestedbythe results of the CzechPresidency. We managedtosupport allimportant assignments andorganise events,arrange allsessions of ahost of boards,committees,subcommittees andpromote our joint priorities there.There was anoutstanding cooperationwithAmbassadressM i l en a Vi cen ov ,t h e H ea d of t h e Czech Rep u b l i c sPermanent Representationin the EU,with Ambassador r mek,H ea d of t h e P S C/COP S s ecti on a n d h i s t ea m,who provided the most substantial contributionto theperformance of our assignments. There was also anexcellent cooperationwith the teamof the Chief ofGeneralStaff andthe First Deputy Chief of GeneralStaffas wellas withexperts fromthe MoDDefence Policy andStrategy Division.Over the past six months,we didnotencounter practically any specialemergency momentthat we wouldnot be able,incollaboration withothercomponents,to tackle successfully.Speaking about thesphere of communication,Isho uldmentionthe excellentcooperation we enjoyedfrom the part of the MilitaryCommittee,especially the ChairmanEUMC,GeneralHenri

Bentgeat.In aggregate,allo f these aspects meant thatwe were able to arrange, plan,coordinate andorganisedozens of appointments andmeetings,developandpresenthundreds of policy documents for further deliberation.The EUMilitary Committee Working Group/Headline goalTask Force (EUMCWG/HTF), ledby Lieutenant-ColonelImrichLuky,bore the biggest burden.His teamcomprisingLTCPetr Parga,L T CZd enk Petr andWO2Petr Solr,managedto comprehensively prepare andsteer seventy-two meetings withhighly positive results.

Communication skills are closely associated with theart of achieving consensus, which is vital to break

impasses. Is it demanding?Sometimes it takes an hour before consensus is

achieved on a single sentence, sometimes longer

General, could you discuss achievements in individualareas specically?

Of course. Based on adjusted contributions by nineMember States, the Force Catalogue 2007 (FC 07)was updated to be consequently promu lgated by theEU Military Committee as Force Catalogue 2009. Asa part of evaluating these contributions, an analysis wasperformed of the impact on possible reduction in denedshortfalls in EU military capabilities. In the course of theCzech Presidency, the HTFnalised the Single ProgressReport on EU military capabilities development, whichwas used for the development of the Presidency reporton progress in EU military capabilities development.

InterviewwithLieutenant-GeneralJaroslav Kolkus,the CzechRepublics Military Representative inNATOandthe EU

Int herst semester of 2009,fromJanuary 1st tillJune 30 th,the CzechRepublic heldthe Presidency of theCouncilof the EuropeanUnionfor the rst time inhistory.The CzechPresidencys priorities were three-fold:economy,energy security andEurope without barriers.The efforts to performindividualprograms involved

many governmentaldepartments,including the Ministry of Defence,whichfocusedonthree key areas ofthe Presidency.First,development of military capabilities;second,operations.and; thirdly,cooperationwithstrategic partners,especially the NorthAtlantic Treaty Organisation.Lieutenant-GeneralJaroslav Kolkus,the Military Representative of the CzechRepublic inNATOandthe EU,elaborates onhowsuccessfulthe MoDDepartment was infullling its assignments.

InterviewforREWIEW

8 9

8-9

14-15

18-19

Cover photos by 3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar

OnJune 26th,2009, the Czech-SlovakBattleGroupachieveditsfulloperationalcapabilityandhasbeen onstandbyforpossibledeploymentsinceJuly1st,2009.

For the Collective Shield exercise, we selecteda standard situation commonly occurring on foreignoperations, explains Captain Lada Kov ov of the 4thRapid Deployment Brigade. The patrol is deliberatelyfollowing an unpaved road. That is also characteristicof foreign-deployed operations. In these demandingconditions, it often takes a whole day to cover a one-hundred kilometre distance that you wouldnormally make in two hours.

Meanwhile,asmallbattlebreaksoutontheroad.Soldierspractisetheirbasictacticaldrills,suchasambushresponse,drillswhenbeing shotat andround

d efence.T h ey en gage t h een emyassaultingthemfromcover.Atthismoment,thecommander

concludesthatheisunabletomanagethe situation usinghis assets. He requestsheadquarters to send a quickreaction team and air support.The convoy also carriesa Forward Air Controller (FAC),who designates the target forthe air and controls them onto

Aconvoy of sixmilitary reconnaissancevehicles of the Czech-Slovak Battle Grouponpatrolmoves along aroadinfront of us.

Their missionis to gather informationonthesecurity situationandestablishcontacts

withpeople fromlocaladministration.It justtakes afractionof secondandthe convoyhalts onanIEDexplosion.

the target, shows Captain Kovov. Once any of thetroops gets wounded, the commander calls in MEDEVACas well. Apart from that, he has troops in his unit withmedical speciality. Those are not necessarily medicaldoctors, but they can be so-called combat medics,soldiers serving as machine gunners, but fully trained inallrst aid procedures, including drip-feeding.

To repelthe enemy, soldiers are using12.7-milimetre DShK machine guns,

AGS 17 grenade launchers andSwedish-made CarlGustav RPGs.

Alltraining is done using liveammunition, including the

heaviest calibres.Suchactionmust be completely naturalfor the troops.They shouldperform subconsciously,in

order not to be takenabackwhenassaulted by opposingforces.

The requested air supportappears in the sky. Mi-24Hind helicopters rst performa reconnaissance overight

and then strike the designated

InternationalCooperation

In the framework of the Battle Group, up to 2,600 troopsare prepared by the Czech and Slovak Republic to deployfor a combat or a humanitarian aid operation anywhereon the globe within the radius of 6,000 kilometres fromBrussels.The core of the Czech force comprises subunits of the43rd airborne mechanised battalion, and the SlovakRepublic has plans to deploy 400 service personnel.Forces must deploy in designated area within ten daysfrom the relevant political decision. To that effect, wehave contracted out for airlift and for sealift as well,said the Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces,Lieutenant-General Vlastimil Picek in the FOC ceremonyand added: According to operational requirements, theforce will be augmented with specialists including pilots,medical doctors and support and logistic personnel.

ThejointcombinedunitwillhaveitsOperationHeadquartersi n Pot s d am,Ger ma ny,ma n n ed b yot h er ofcer s fr omEUMembersStates.EU OHQPotsdamisone ofthe veheadquartersexercisingcommand andcontrolover thebattlegroups.Sofar,BattleGroupsunderthe EUcolourshaveneverbeencalledupontointervene.TheCzech-SlovakBGis plannedtodeploy approximately1,600 to1,800servicepersonnel.Aeldhospitalisalsoreadyin HradecKrlov,abletodeployoperationroomswithin12hours,withtwosurgicalteamsavailableandastockof30daysofsupply.However,theshapeandcompositionof theBattleGroupwouldbespecicallytailoredtogivenoperationmandatedthroughconsensusofEuropeanUnionpoliticalleaders.The long-lasting preparation of the CZE/SVK EU BGculminated in the Sharp Response 2009 exercise, butalso included certication exercise Collective Shield.

1514

Peace

Projects

Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team has beena familiar term in the Czech Republic for quite sometime already. Over more than a years history of thisjoint project by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministryof Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Logar PRTbecame synonymous with reconstruction and renewal ofAfghanistan. The mission of the Provincial Reconstruction

The 3rd contingent PRT Logar differs from the previoustwo in many respects. First, the number of Czech troopsoperating in Logar increased from the original 190 to 275at present. Reinforcements did not pertain to the Czechcontingent only. The increased number of U.S. forceshad a major impact on the situation in the province, andconsequently on operations of the Czech contingent. TheCzech contingent operates in the order of battle and underoperational command of the U.S. Task Force Spartan.For that reason, command and control system needed tobe harmonised with the system U.S. forces use. On theother hand, augmentation of U.S. forces in the LogarProvince enabled our soldiers to make a greater use ofU.S. assets and expand their operations into six districtsout of the total of seven districts comprising the Logar

Team includes supportingthe Afghani central governmentin provinces, assistance on reconstruction of the co untryon provincial level and the provision of a safe and secureenvironment for these activities.

At present, the province of Logar is the area ofoperations for the third contingent of the ArmedForces of the Czech Republic (ACR). The core of the3rd contingents military component comprises servicepersonnel of the 41st Airborne Mechanised Battalionatec. The contingent is augmented with soldiers fromHQ 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and the 43rd AirborneMechanised Battalion Chrudim as well as personnelfrom additional twenty-six ACR units and organisations.Members of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade form76 percent of the 3rd contingent. The contingentscommander is Lieutenant-Colonel Petr Prochzka,an ofcer with experience from foreign operations inBosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afg hanistan, wherehe served in 2007 as contingent commander and chiefof staff of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Feyzabad.

The PRT also comprises a civilian component, currentlyformed by 10 experts sent to Afghanistan by the Ministryof Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. They areprimarily civil engineers, and agriculture, media andproject management experts.

The overallmission of the Provincial ReconstructionTeamis identicalfor allcontingents.What does change,however,inthe context of current situationinAfghanistan,is the operationalassignment.The 3rdcontingent PRTLogar assumedits operationalassignment onFebruary23rd,2009.Inthe 3rd contingents operations plan,theassignment divides into four lines:security,developmentof the AfghaniNationalSecurity Forces,supporting theAfghanGovernment,andassistance ondevelopment andreconstructionof the country.The rst line of operations

is primarily the missionof the PRT military component.The military andciviliancomponents work together to theeffect of developing the AfghaniNationalSecurity Forces.Cooperationwith AfghaniGovernment on assistanceprojects andparticipationinaidprojects are the principalmissionof civilianexperts, but that does not meanthisline of operations wouldhave no involvement of themilitary component.We are succeeding inprogressivelyperforming specic tasks we set for ourselves in individualperiods, says contingent commander Lieutenant-ColonelProchzka.We have acouple weeks to go before ourtour ends,andthat is why the time has not yet come forclosing assessments.But it is fair to say already todaythat,despite various challenges we have hadto dealwith,Ia mcondent we willmanage to performalltasks one-hundredpercent to provide for aseamless handover of theassignment to the next contingent, stressedLieutenant-ColonelProchzka.

18 19

Foreign Deployments:A Well Pre-Negotiated CompromiseInterview with the Vice-Premier and Ministerof Defence of the Czech Republic,H.E. Martin Bartk ............................................2Locations where the Czech Armed Forcespersonnel, including military observers,will perform their service, in 2010 ......................6The Czech Presidency of the Councilof the European Union: Realism and TransparencyInterview with Lieutenant-General Jaroslav Kolkus,the Czech Republics Military Representativein NATO and EU .................................................8Armed Forces of the Czech Republic:Ten Years in Kosovo .........................................12Czech-Slovak Battle Group Mission-Ready ........14Exercise Collective Shield ................................15A Mission to be Accomplished ..........................18Czech Queen reigning Norfolk, U.S. ..................22Flying Alpinists ...............................................25

Baltic Air Policing Czech Gripensover the Baltic region ......................................28Baltic Air Policing mission ALFAtaking Gripens off ...........................................30Exercise BALT 2009Six Missiles onto Three Targets .........................32Soldiers with law enforcement training .............36Exercise Flying Rhino 09 ..................................39


4/44

InterviewforREWIEW

Minister, the most important event since you assumed

the ofce has been the surprisingly fast and smoothendorsement of 2010 foreign deployments by theParliament of the Czech Republic, as you managedto secure support for the bill across the political

spectrum. How did you achieve that?In this year, a reasonable comprise was successfully

achieved in a timely manner so that a part of democraticopposition voted for our proposal. I regard that vitalbecause our servicemembers and Allies gained certaintyand the reputation of our country was not affected.

I would personally imagine that more could achieved, forinstance on the issue of multiyear foreign deploymentplanning in line with NATOs strategy, but I am pleased

with this compromise attained.

You said there was a compromise. What is your future

vision of foreign deployments?It is no secret that I am an advocate of foreign

operations as a key to making sure that Czech citizens

Interview with the Vice-Premierand Minister of Defenceof the Czech Republic, H.E. Martin Bartk

enjoy adequate security. Our soldiers are better employedfacing threats in places where instability originates, thanif it would somehow transfer over here to our streets. Asearly as in twenty-four months, the KFOR mission willsee a reduction of forces deployed there from 14,000 to2,500 personnel as situation in Kosovo stabilises. For

security of the Western world, Afghanistan will becomea priority as the theatre to deny Al Qaeda terrorists a safehaven. For the years ahead, I also do think that long-term endeavours, such as KFOR and ISAF, should seedecisions made in the Czech Republic on deploymentsin similar timeframe, that is in the springtime. I wouldgo even further: these longterm operations should bemandated for a longer period of two to three years. Thisis by no means any blank cheque for the military. TheParliament may decide to change the mandate anytimeduring the authorised period.

Why did you strive for such a rapid approval? One couldsimply say that it was a cardinal decision the Cabinetand Parliament formed after the upcoming elections

2


5/44

should make, and leave responsibility on the nextpolitical leadership.

I am not the type of Minister who would just lay wreathsand leave true decision-making to others. I have devotedmyself to defence for a number of years as an expert; it isa vital issue for our country and I feel a strong personalresponsibility for the MoD Department. Everybody wouldconclude that if the draft 2010 foreign deployments plan

would be deliberated in the run-up or at the height ofelection campaign, the process would be affected by theculminating campaign. After the elections, it would notbe certain when the Parliament would eventually vote onforeign missions. The same pressure of time could welloccur as it was the case at the end of the last year.

It is hard to nd another defence ofcial visitingsoldiers on foreign operations as frequently as yourself,

which also holds true for the time you were in theofce of the rst deputy minister. In June earlier this

year, you travelled to Afghanistan, visited the CzechSpecial Forces forward operation base, saw theProvincial Reconstruction Team and met the Presidentof Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. What is your assessmentof the situation in Afghanistan in the period ofpresidential elections?

The situation in Afghanistan is not two-dimensional.Apparently, there is a great progress the country hasmade in the sphere of developing road infrastructure,medical facilities and schools. On the other hand, the

progress in building government structures, especiallyon local level, is insufcient; counter-narcotics effortsneed to be stepped up too. Afghanistan is the worldsprime producer of opium, with the revenues used tonance terrorist movement. But the greatest challengeis that insurgents penetrate the country from Afghani-Pakistani border areas. Situation in Pakistan and

Afghanistan are two sides of the same coin. I trust that

3


6/44

InterviewforREWIEW

presidential elections will be provided an adequatelevel of security. I am condent that operation ISAFcan succeed in the long run, provided that it receivesappropriate manpower and material resources, as wellas political support. Let me just say that KFOR arousedsimilar controversy in 1999 as ISAF does at present. Andnow, ten years on, KFOR is on its way towards successfulcompletion.

The polls indicate that the public is divided in theiropinion on foreign missions, and on the operationin Afghanistan in particular. Do you have any magicformula to persuade people about the need for theCzech Armed Forces to deploy for foreign operations?

If there is an immediate attack to a states territory,employment of the military for homeland defence isobvious for everyone at once. It takes a deeper reectionto realise the fact that threats to the Czech Republicsnational security today originate thousands of kilometresbeyond our national borders. Contemporary securitytheory uses so-called paradox of external nature ofinternal risks. Speaking in comprehensible terms, thethreats to internal order in the Czech Republic, suchas drug dealing in Czech cities or contingent terrorist

attacks in subway, do not origin in our territory, but forinstance in the faraway country of Afghanistan. All heroinin the European market, including the Czech Republic,comes from that country. The revenues are used to nanceterrorist activities. If Allied troops would not counter themin places where terrorists are based, they would be free toattack targets in Europe and North America. It is a matterof joint endeavour involving the political representation,

the media and the members of the Armed Forces to explainthe importance of foreign-deployed operations. Thedisgraceful process of deliberating foreign deploymentsby the Parliament at the turn of 2008 and 2009 was a shotin the eye in this respect.

To pass foreign deployments plan as early asspringtime, moreover in a political situation thatdoes not really make things any easier, is a greatachievement indeed. Did have any celebration?

I do not think it is time to celebrate, but to work. Given

the present status of national economy, we are facingdifcult times. To pass foreign deployments in June wasone the rst essential steps the MoD has to get done.

Photos by PIC MoD and Herbert SLAVK

4


7/44

An exhibition jointly organised by the Senate of theParliament of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Defence,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Military History Instituteand National Museum was open in a ceremony mid-

August 2009 in the Wallenstein Garden and in historicalpremises, the Mythological Corridor of the WallensteinPalace of the Senate. The ribbon cutting ceremony

was attended by the President of the Senate of the

Parliament, Pemysl Sobotka, Vice-Premier and Ministerof Defence, Martin Bartk, Vice-Premier and Ministerof Foreign Affairs, Jan Kohout, and Ambassador of theIslamic Republic of Afghanistan in the Czech Republic,Mohammad Kacem Fazelly.

The exhibition and individual exhibits primarily cover theactivities of the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Teamthat presently operates in the Province of Logar andshow the traditions of Afghanistan as well as day-to-daylife of local citizens.

The establishment of the provincial reconstruction

team represents a peak of the existing activities ofthe Armed Forces of the Czech Republic in foreign-deployed operations, and is the most challengingendeavour at the same time. Nevertheless, the PRT isnot the only deployment in Afghanistan, as the CzechRepublic also has a Special Operation Forces contingentmaking excellent effort in the province of Kandaharand facilitating reconstruction of Afghanistan, saidMinister of Defence Martin Bartk and added: Theexhibition seeks to showcase our efforts in Afghanistanso that people could appreciate the job being done by ourservice personnel deployed abroad. Because it is them

who make a considerable contribution to preventing thedanger originating in those areas from spilling closer toour borders.

The exhibition is open to the public in the WallensteinGarden, Prague, till October 31st, 2009.

by Jan PROCHZKAPhotos by Radko JANATA

5


8/44

NAVFOR ATALANTA, with operationcommand in the United KingdomA European Union counter-piracy

mission off the coast of Somalia.In case the operation mandate

is extended beyond 2009, theCzech MoD is ready to assignthree personnel in support ofOperation Atalanta Commandheadquartered in Northwood, UK.

Operation ALTHEA, Bosniaand HerzegovinaIn case of transitioning to a non-

executive mission with advisoryand training tasks, the Czech

MoD will join the effort with twopersonnel.

MINURCAT, Chad and Republicof Central AfricaUN peacekeeping mission to establish

a safe and secure environment in the

region. The Czech MoD will contributeup to ve personnel.

MONUC, Democratic Republicof CongoUN peacekeeping mission in theDemocratic Republic of Congo,

which will involve three Czech ArmedForces military observers.

Dopd b Jaoa Paj ad Ada Boko coopao w MoD JOC

6


9/44

MFO peace mission in SinaiThe MoD Department will assign up

to three personnel for the purposesof this mission in the Middle East.

KFOR, KosovoIndividuals at HQ KFOR in Camp

Film City, individuals at HQ MNTF-C

at Camp Ville, a mechanisedcompany and support companyas a part of MNTF-C at CampSajkovac in total strength up to430 personnel.

A 120-strong reserve company inthe territory of the Czech Republicat 5-day notice to move.

In total, the Czech deploymentwill comprise the maximum of 550personnel.

The Czech Republic is also readyto take over the lead nation rolefor the MNTF-C.

Operation ISAF, AfghanistanIn the area of responsibility of the Regional

CommandCenter, specically at the Kabul

International Airport (KAIA), the Czech Republicdeploys an OMLT (training of ground and ightpersonnel of the Afghani National Army - ANA),personnel in KAIA control center and in ISAFstructures, an NSE (supporting all Czechcontingent deployed in Afghanistan), a light CBRNdefence unit, personnel of various occupationalspecialties including medical experts and a teamsupporting the ANA Brigade Command in totalstrength of up to 100 personnel.

As a part of the Regional Command East, a militarycomponent (four mobile patrolling teams, EOD

team and contingent staff) of the Czech ProvincialReconstruction Team in the province of Logar withtotal authorised strength of 285 personnel plusa 40-strong OMLT (for ANA training). The totalnumber of Czech troops deployed in the Logarprovince is planned to reach 325 personnel.

In addition to that, three Mi-171Sh utilityhelicopters with a support team comprising up to110 personnel will be stationed at the Sharanaoperating base falling into responsibility ofRegional Command East.

The total strength of deployments in Afghanistanis authorised to reach 535 personnel.

UNAMA, AfghanistanA UN peacekeeping mission,

where the Czech Armed Forcescontributes one military observer.

Operations as a part of the UnitedNations Standby ArrangementSystem (UNSAS)The total authorised strength of MoD

forces and assets is 50 personnel.Following a requirement by theUN, it is up to the Government and

Parliament of the Czech Republic todecide on their deployment.

NATO Response ForceFor NRF-14 from January 1st to July 15th, 2010, the Czech MoD will assign a force protection company of up to

120 personnel, four CBRN defence experts and a national support element with mandated strength of 53 troops.In total, a contingent of maximum 220 personnel will be assigned.

For NRF-15, (1 July 2010 to 15 January 2011), the MoD Department also plans to assign a 120-strong

transportation company; an engineer construction company of up to 170 personnel; three personnel manning aCBRN defence joint analysis team; a battalion staff with national support element of up to 53 troops. The totalauthorised strength is 360 personnel.

7


10/44

General, the Czech Republics six-month Presidencyof the Council of the European Union is over. In spiteof that, what did this internationally important stage

of the membership of the Czech Republicin the European Union meant for your staff?

By all means, it was a great experience of intensivelyinteracting in an international environment, whilethe whole team of the military section of the CzechRepublics permanent representation in the EU washeavily involved, as well as the Permanent Delegationto NATO, in pushing individual priorities of the European

Security and Defence Policy. Our work primarily focusedon three key areas: military capability development,military operations of the European Union and last butnot least the European Unions partnerships with other

international organisations, that is with NATO, theUN and the African Union. That was the framework weoperated throughout the whole presidency. In order for usto perform successfully, and I am condent we attainedhighly positive results in all areas, it was essential to setthe framework for the ow of information not only with the

ACR General Staff and the Ministry of Defence, but alsowith our principal partners on the part of the EU with the

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

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

many governmental departments, including the Ministry of Defence, which focused on three key areas ofthe Presidency. First, development of military capabilities; second, operations. and; thirdly, cooperationwith 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 fullling its assignments.

InterviewforREWIEW

8


11/44

relevant Directorate of the Councils General Secretariat,EU Military Staff, the Chairman of the Military Committeeof the European Union and his ofce and last but not least

with the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS)section at the Permanent Representation.

As you discuss information ow, or communication,how did you manage to harmonise civilian and militaryaspects of the Presidency and nd a common language?

The fact that together we have managed this processsuccessfully and set the system right is attested bythe results of the Czech Presidency. We managed tosupport all important assignments and organise events,arrange all sessions of a host of boards, committees,subcommittees and promote our joint priorities there.

There was an outstanding cooperation with AmbassadressMilena Vicenov, the Head of the Czech RepublicsPermanent Representation in the EU, with Ambassadorrmek, Head of the PSC/COPS section and his team,

who provided the most substantial contribution to theperformance of our assignments. There was also anexcellent cooperation with the team of the Chief ofGeneral Staff and the First Deputy Chief of General Staffas well as with experts from the MoD Defence Policy andStrategy Division. Over the past six months, we did notencounter practically any special emergency momentthat we would not be able, in collaboration with other

components, to tackle successfully. Speaking about thesphere of communication, I should mention the excellentcooperation we enjoyed from the part of the MilitaryCommittee, especially the Chairman EUMC, General Henri

Bentgeat. In aggregate, all of these aspects meant thatwe were able to arrange, plan, coordinate and organisedozens of appointments and meetings, develop and presenthundreds of policy documents for further deliberation.

The EU Military Committee Working Group/Headline goalTask Force (EUMCWG/HTF), led by Lieutenant-ColonelImrich Luky, bore the biggest burden. His team comprisingLTC Petr Parga, LTC Zdenk Petr and WO2 Petr Solr,managed to comprehensively prepare and steer seventy-two meetings with highly positive results.

Communication skills are closely associated with theart of achieving consensus, which is vital to breakimpasses. Is it demanding?

Sometimes it takes an hour before consensus is achieved

on a single sentence, sometimes longer

General, could you discuss achievements in individualareas specically?

Of course. Based on adjusted contributions by nineMember States, the Force Catalogue 2007 (FC 07)

was updated to be consequently promulgated by theEU Military Committee as Force Catalogue 2009. Asa part of evaluating these contributions, an analysis wasperformed of the impact on possible reduction in denedshortfalls in EU military capabilities. In the course of the

Czech Presidency, the HTF nalised the Single ProgressReport on EU military capabilities development, whichwas used for the development of the Presidency reporton progress in EU military capabilities development.

9


12/44

In accordance with approved schedule, the HTF completedtwo initial stages of the process as a part of developing EUmilitary capabilities interoperability study. The rst stagesaw the EU Interoperability Requirements List developed,

which was transformed into a list of areas with currentlyidentied absence of interoperability. In the secondstage, dened degrees of interoperability were appliedon the identied areas, which resulted in determination

of operational risk associated with the performance ofmilitary operations. The Swedish Presidency, which will

work the third stage in nalising the study, will followupon the conclusions of the second stage. As a part ofprocessing lessons identied from the Headline Goal2010 process, updating was launched of the Toolbox as

well as establishing principal conditions for informationgathering and analysis. That entailed the developmentof a new list of reference forces and dening requiredmilitary capabilities. The team led by Lieutenant-ColonelLuky also developed and submitted to the EU MilitaryCommittee a recommendation to further elaborate on

factors having impact on initiating a new EU headlinegoal development process. Pursuant to EUMC decision,staff and expert consultations continued involving expertcomponents and the NATO International Staff via informaldiscussions with subject-matter NATO experts. Thesetalks aimed at taking forward the development of the IG

Tool in the sphere of military capability planning, whichwould meet requirements of both organisations.

Undoubtedly, defence capabilities are essential for themilitary, but what about approximating cooperationbetween the EU and NATO for instance?

Positive results were attained on this issue as well,which goes primarily to the credit of Director of theMoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division, Mr. IvanDvok, who chaired the NATO/EU Capability Group. Aneffective system was established for sharing lessonslearnt between EU and NATO, which will denitelyfacilitate a better future cooperation and a commonattitude on delivering security and defence policy of bothorganisations. This priority has been continued by thesucceeding Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU,

who intend to promote and follow upon our lessons learnt.In addition to that, there has been a signicant progress

in developing the joint information gathering and analysistool covering the sphere of military capability planning,which would meet requirements of both organisations(IG Tool). EUMC approved EU requirements for IG Tooldevelopment as a basis for further discussions on thelevel of EU and NATO military staffs.

What we have left is the third priority military operations Over the course of the Czech Presidency, three

operations were underway under the colours of theEuropean Union. First, there was the EUFOR Operation

Tchad/RCA, which was successfully completed at March

15th, 2009, and the responsibility was transferred to theMINURCAT UN mission. That was the largest operationthe the European Union endeavoured on in the past ten

years. Lessons learnt are currently being processed. Then

we have Operation ALTHEA in the territory of Bosnia adHerzegovina. Initially, we thought the operation wouldtransform to a non-executive training mission during ourPresidency. The plan did not materialise because of thepresent political and security environment in Bosnia andHerzegovina and we are awaiting a political decision to bemade later at the end of this year. The positive thing is thatduring discussions between the North Atlantic Council and

the EU Political and Security Committee, ambassadorsin both organisations supported the continuation of thefuture operation within the Berlin Plus arrangements,

which was one of our priorities. There is an Operation Planat hand, which will be implemented once political decisionis taken. The third very important operation is EU NAVFORSomalia ATALANTA off the coast of Somalia, a counter-piracy endeavour to enable shipping of goods primarilyfrom the World Food Program to Somalia and naturally alsocreating a safe environment in the region. Forces involvedin the operation achieved their full operational capabilityin the spring and it is fair to say that the operation

managed to diminish piracy activities in part. A decisionwas made to extend the operation by one year, which willdenitely increase security in those waters. Therefore,the conclusion can be made that we met objectives andfullled assignments of the Czech Presidency and weassume that our successors, the Swedish Presidency, willcarry on the process of implementing operations. It shouldbe understood that military operations are directed by theMilitary Staff with oversight by the Military Committee.

The Presidency creates conditions to smoothly fullobjectives and missions in individual operations.

Military operations were one of our priorities. Howdo people perceive that the Czech Republic and its ArmedForces are involved in EU operations to a considerablylower degree compared to NATO operations?

It should be mentioned nevertheless that we have joined EUoperations. We were involved both in Bosnia and Herzegovina,and we were also represented on the operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA. For the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, the CzechPresidency brought a new perspective and a host of newlessons, and our contribution to EU operations will denitelyincrease in the future. That is the vision.

You alluded to dozens of meetings and hundreds of hoursneeded to nd consensus. Was there any augmentationon your team for the period of Presidency?

Obviously, we would not manage to perform all tasksassociated with steering and the agenda associated withthe Czech Presidency in the original set-up. Therefore, wehad been reinforced already during the preparatory period

with three personnel. The past six months were full of day-to-day work, not only in ofcial working hours, but oftenlate into night. A number of away days were organised ina number of countries. Many of these events took place in

the territory of the Czech Republic. It was a challengingand dynamic period, while we were scrutinised by twenty-six partners. The basic principles characterising ourattitude were realism and transparency.

InterviewforREWIEW

10


13/44


14/44

Over the decade of the Czech engagement, nineteenmilitary contingents have served their tours in Kosovo.

That represents more than seventy-ve hundred service

personnel from various units, ranging from a 140-strong reconnaissance company that began the Czechengagement in 1999 in the territory of Kosovo, to jointCzech-Slovak battalion, to the present contingent ofthe Armed Forces of the Czech Republic comprisinga mechanised company, support company and othersupport elements with the possibility of being reinforcedby a reserve company.

Nevertheless, the mission based on UN Security CouncilResolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, remains the same:to contribute towards the establishing and maintaininga secure and safe environment for all citizens, and

continuation of peace process and democratic developmentwithout the need of future presence of multinational militaryforces. Since the declaration of Kosovos independence inFebruary 2008, KFOR is to carry on supporting efforts of

On July 12th, 2009, ten years have passed sincethe rst deployment of Czech soldiers for NATOspeacekeeping operation Joint Guardianin the territory of Kosovo, an operation wherethe Czech Republic continues to assign, albeit undera different name, its largest contingent.

international organisations and assist Kosovo authoritieson developing all attributes rule of law.

OPerAtiOn "JOint GuArDiAn"

lAunCheDUntil May 2001, the Czech contingent in the territory of

Kosovo comprised rst 140 and then up to 220 soldiers,whose operational assignment included guarding theKosovo-Serbian Administrative Border Line, ensuringa safe return of refugees and creating conditions forrestoring a peaceful coexistence of Kosovar Serbiansand Albanians, chiey its in own area of responsibility.

With respect to improved security situation in Bosniaand Herzegovina, a decision was made in May 2001

regarding Czech Armed Forces deployments in WestBalkans to assign a higher priority to Kosovo, whichenabled the Czech contingent there to be furtherenlarged up to 400 service personnel.

12


15/44

From February 2002 till mid-2005, a mechanisedbattalion-strong joint Czech-Slovak contingent performedtheir assignment in KFOR as a part of the order of battleof the Multinational Brigade Center, which comprisedtwo British battalions and a Finnish, Norwegian andSwedish battalion. First responsible for a territory of 248square kilometres, with later addition of 187 sq km, themissions of the Czech-Slovak contingent chiey included

security and search operations, manning checkpoints,countering illegal activity and crime, control of violentdemonstrations and other contingencies.

At the turn of 2003 and 2004, during the tour of the 4thCzech-Slovak Battalion, the units area of responsibility wasfurther expanded to 1,150 sq km and the assigned sectionof Administrative Border Line with Serbia settled on 104kilometres. In the Spring of 2004, Czech and Slovak soldiersheld steady faced with violent attacks of Kosovar Albanians onthe Serbian minority and assisted on evacuating hundreds ofKosovar Serbs from epicentres of unrest to safe havens.

renAMeD "JOint enterPrise" After

reOrGAnisAtiOnAs a part of overall restructuring of KFORs posture,

and following an agreement with the Slovak Republic, the

joint Czech-Slovak Battalion terminated its operationalassignment in mid-2005. Since then, the Czech contingenthas operated as a part of the newly created Multinational

Task Force-Center (MNTF-C) in the strength of 550 personnelwith main base at the town of ajkovac in North-WestKosovo. The Czech area of responsibility, which continuesto include an 85-kilometre section of administrative borderline between Kosovo and Serbia, encompasses an area ofnearly 750 sq km in the demanding terrain of the North-East part of Kosovo.

The Multinational Task Force-Center, with the CzechRepublic acting as the lead nation in 2006, furthermorecomprises of the contingents of Finland, Ireland, Latvia,Slovakia and Sweden. In support of MNTF-C, the Czechmilitary has assigned so-called reserve company since

April 2006, able to deploy from the Czech Republic intoarea of operations at ve-day notice.For KFOR forces as well as all citizens in the region,

Czech soldiers have been useful and respected partners,

putting to a good use their longterm preparation andlessons from previous deployments, which clearly provesthat no foreign operation may be underestimated in anyrespect. The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic continuesto dedicate a very high attention to predeploymentpreparation and deployments themselves to date.

At present, the deployment in the territory of Kosovocomprises the 15th Czech contingent, with its core

formed by the members of the 131st Artillery Battalionfrom Pardubice, augmented with service personnel fromother 54 units and organisations of the Armed Forcesof the Czech Republic, mostly from the 14th LogisticSupport Brigade Pardubice.

It is likely that the second time will come for theArmed Forces of the Czech Republic to take over the roleof the lead nation (in command) of the Multinational

Task ForceCenter in the course of 2010.

the WAy AheAD fOr KOsOvO

As a result of unceasing efforts by NATO, Kosovohas seen its security situation stabilised and setout on the path of reconstruction towards overalleconomic development. Nevertheless, unfavourablesocial situation, in conjunction with a high degree of

widespread crime as well as a large quantity of illegally

held weapons continue to complicate the current status.Therefore, NATO has underscored repeatedly that KFORpeacekeeping force will continue its assignment until

next decision is made by UN Security Council and NATOas a whole. In the same sense, the Czech Republic willnot take any unilateral steps with regard to KFOR whileany possible reduction of the number of troops or theirassignment would always be based on decisions taken

jointly with Allies.In conclusion of NATO defence ministerial on June 10th,

2009, the Alliance stated its readiness to prospectivelydownsize the number of troops in Kosovo contingent onsecurity situation. The process would take place in severalsteps, based exclusively on current security assessments andpursuant to a joint decision by NATOs supreme bodies.

by Jan PROCHZKA, Miroslav INDELand Lieutenant-Colonel Petr SKORA

13


16/44

On June 26th, 2009, the Czech-Slovak Battle Group achieved its fulloperational capability and has been on standby for possible deploymentsince July 1st, 2009.

European

Defence

In the framework of the Battle Group, up to 2,600 troopsare prepared by the Czech and Slovak Republic to deployfor a combat or a humanitarian aid operation anywhereon the globe within the radius of 6,000 kilometres fromBrussels.

The core of the Czech force comprises subunits of the43rd airborne mechanised battalion, and the SlovakRepublic has plans to deploy 400 service personnel.Forces must deploy in designated area within ten daysfrom the relevant political decision. To that effect, wehave contracted out for airlift and for sealift as well,said the Chief of General Staff Czech Armed Forces,Lieutenant-General Vlastimil Picek in the FOC ceremonyand added: According to operational requirements, theforce will be augmented with specialists including pilots,medical doctors and support and logistic personnel.

The joint combined unit will have its Operation Headquartersin Potsdam, Germany, manned by other ofcers fromEU Members States. EU OHQ Potsdam is one of the veheadquarters exercising command and control over thebattle groups. So far, Battle Groups under the EU colourshave never been called upon to intervene. The Czech-SlovakBG is planned to deploy approximately 1,600 to 1,800service personnel. A eld hospital is also ready in HradecKrlov, able to deploy operation rooms within 12 hours, withtwo surgical teams available and a stock of 30 days of supply.However, the shape and composition of the Battle Group

would be specically tailored to given operation mandatedthrough consensus of European Union political leaders.

The long-lasting preparation of the CZE/SVK EU BGculminated in the Sharp Response 2009 exercise, butalso included certication exercise Collective Shield.

14

PhotobyCPTJan

ULC


17/44

For the Collective Shield exercise, we selecteda standard situation commonly occurring on foreign

operations, explains Captain Lada Kovov of the 4thRapid Deployment Brigade. The patrol is deliberatelyfollowing an unpaved road. That is also characteristicof foreign-deployed operations. In these demandingconditions, it often takes a whole day to cover a one-hundred kilometre distance that you wouldnormally make in two hours.

Meanwhile, a small battle breaks outon the road. Soldiers practise their basictactical drills, such as ambush response,drills when being shot at and rounddefence. They engage the enemyassaulting them from cover.

At this moment, the commanderconcludes that he is unable tomanage the situation usinghis assets. He requestsheadquarters to send a quickreaction team and air support.

The convoy also carriesa Forward Air Controller (FAC),

who designates the target forthe air and controls them onto

A convoy of six military reconnaissancevehicles of the Czech-Slovak Battle Groupon patrol moves along a road in front of us.

Their mission is to gather information on thesecurity situation and establish contacts

with people from local administration. It justtakes a fraction of second and the convoy

halts on an IED explosion.

the target, shows Captain Kovov. Once any of thetroops gets wounded, the commander calls in MEDEVAC

as well. Apart from that, he has troops in his unit withmedical speciality. Those are not necessarily medicaldoctors, but they can be so-called combat medics,soldiers serving as machine gunners, but fully trained inall rst aid procedures, including drip-feeding.

To repel the enemy, soldiers are using12.7-milimetre DShK machine guns,

AGS 17 grenade launchers andSwedish-made Carl Gustav RPGs.

All training is done using liveammunition, including the

heaviest calibres. Such actionmust be completely naturalfor the troops. They shouldperform subconsciously, in

order not to be taken abackwhen assaulted by opposingforces.

The requested air supportappears in the sky. Mi-24Hind helicopters rst performa reconnaissance overight

and then strike the designated

15


18/44

targets, including with live rockets. The opponent gets

hit hard. A medical evacuation helicopter has landed inthe meantime. Soldiers load their wounded comradesand the convoy may go on.

fOCus (nOt Only) On AfriCAThe goal of the exercise Collective Shield, which took

place at the turn of March and April 09, was to prove theArmed Forces ability to credibly full ambitions declared inthe context with the Czech-Slovak Battle Group, and verifyplanning and performance of a stabilisation expeditionaryoperation as well as the requisite degree of harmonisationamong individual BG components, and command andcontrol systems at all echelons. The Battle Group may becalled upon to operate anywhere on the globe within theradius of 6,000 kilometres from Brussels, except for the

Arctic zone. Being an apparent next source of threat, Africais mentioned frequently in this regard. The Battle Group isrequired to deploy in the troubled territory at ten days noticefrom a decision by the European Union. The deployment isplanned to last thirty days, with the possibility of extensionup to four months.

A number of components of the Armed Forces ofthe Czech Republic have been involved in the Czech-Slovak Battle Group. The Battle Groups core is builton the basis of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade. We

have two airborne and two mechanised companiesdeployed in military training areas, a manoeuvre supportcompany, battalion dressing station, logistic supportcompany and a command company, elaborates theforce commander Colonel Ladislav Jung. In addition tothat, we are reinforced by a National Support Element(NSE), air assets, electronic warfare company, lightreconnaissance company, engineer company, a PSYOPS/CIMIC unit, signals company, a Role 2 eld hospital andthe military police.

Majority of troops deployed in the Hradit trainingarea. A reinforced company of the 4th Rapid Deployment

Brigade exercises in the Boletice training area. Theyhave established a forward operating base there.Slovak soldiers of the 22nd mechanised battalion set upanother forward base in the Le Military Training Area,

Slovakia. A provisional eld station with helipad was

set up in Bechyn for the helicopter unit. The NationalSupport Element and logistic support units operatefrom Pardubice and Klatovy. Apart from that, operationheadquarters in Olomouc becomes involved in theCollective Shield exercise, headed by Exercise Director,Major-General Hynek Blako. In total, more thansixteen-hundred personnel are engaged. In addition tothat, there are two-hundred and seventy more soldiersinvolved in the exercise, who operate in the territory ofSlovakia.

A Puzzle heliPADThe fact that the Battle Group is deployed both in

the territory of the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, isnot accidental. We also aim for signal units to practiseestablishing connectivity over real-world distances,emphasises Captain Lada Kovov.

Fifty Slovak commissioned and non-commissionedofcers were assigned for the exercise directly to staffslocated in the territory of the Czech Republic. One ofthe Slovak representatives was also the Commanderof Slovak Land Forces, Major-General Milan Maxim,acting as deputy exercise director. My role here is toinspect on the performance of service duties by our staff

ofcers. There is a Slovak ofcer in the post of DeputyBrigade Commander. Another Slovak ofcer servesas a Deputy Battalion Commander. But we also havepersonnel performing functions such as legal advisor orsenior ofcers in most various specialties. I am relativelysatised with the job they are doing, but not one-hundredpercent. We found out some shortcomings of objectivenature. We will be analysing them with our Czechcolleagues at the end of the exercise, and determinea joint course of action to redress them, underscoresGeneral Maxim.

The situation in the Battle Groups area of responsibility

is not really easy. There are protests underway, as well astribal and territorial disputes coupled with wrangles overreligious tolerance and minority rights. There are attackson governmental and international organisations,

European

Defence

16


19/44

plundering, robberies, while black market blooms withfoodstuff, water and fuel. The Battle Group units mustcope with all of that. But the exercise scenario alsoincludes tasks purely technical in their nature.

For instance, engineers from Bechyn practisedsetting up a mobile helipad and its disassembling. Theengineer platoon first needed to adapt the surfacethoroughly and reinforce it with gravel. Then they laid

plastic elements comprising the helipad, resemblingof a puzzle. A complete assembly took approximatelytwenty minutes. The mobile helipad can be placedanywhere in the terrain, including on softer soils.

that moment, the team already had communication withtheir superior echelon and requested reinforcement withquick reaction team, and possibly with helicopters andclose air support. Now they have to keep the adversarybusy, take care to engage them, explains CaptainHlubek. In fact, the close protection team comprisesof two groups. One is responsible for protecting the

VIP and getting the VIP into a safe zone. Those are the

individuals with white collars. The second one engagesthe opponent and provides for the retreat of the guys

with the VIP. Those are the heavily armed individualswearing body armour.

MPs DeAlinG With MAlfunCtiOnsThe Military Police contributed a platoon of thirty-four

personnel to the Battle Group, with its core comprisedof a quick reaction team. The unit includes personnelsecurity specialists, a trafc patrol and own ops team.We are responsible for perimeter security aroundthe principal command post, which is supported bya specialised unit together with force protection andmonitoring group. The advanced equipment they useenables them to control the perimeter both day and nightin visible and IR spectrum, explains Captain RadimHlubek, the ofcer in charge of this training. We

are also involved in the provision of security to convoysand all persons the contingent is responsible for. Wealso practised visits of UN commissioners in areas ofinterest. We perform these missions in conjunction withthe companies of the airborne battalion from Chrudim.

The Battle Group is a too large formation, plus convoysecurity is planned over long distances. A high degree ofinteroperability among units is a must.

The military police used special live re exercise No.10 and No. 6 to drill VIP close protection. They advancedin a diamond formation with the VIP in the center and

a stalker heading the group. As soon as they got within

shooting distance to the targets, a heavy detonationresounded. Fire broke out immediately. While a part ofMPs fought back, the rest sought to move the VIP as farback as possible and protect the VIP with their bodies. In

All training started with individuals practising weapondeployment and shooting. Apart from CZ 75 Luger andGlock 17 pistols, the drills focused on using Sa-58 assaultrie and shotgun, because shotguns are very effective inoperations in built-up areas. Stepwise, we transitionedto groups of two, which we further assembled into largerformations.

This partial exercise is highly demanding for mutualinteraction, because live re does not take place ina single line; people get intermingled. Everyone mustknow exactly at any given moment where his buddy is andlook after him. People respond to unexpected situations.

For instance, we deal with loading live munitions. Soldiersare deliberately not issued a full quantity to be ableto cope with weapon malfunctions, stresses CaptainHlubek. The shouting down here does not mean thereis chaos. The thing is that the troops be able to listen totheir comrades and practise interoperation.

The process of developing the Czech-Slovak BattleGroup culminated in June earlier this year in the ExerciseSharp Response. In opinion of Colonel Ladislav Jung, theimportant aspect in the whole process of preparation isthat it was declared that in case of activation, EuropeanUnion operations will be conducted according to NATOstandards.

by Vladimr MAREKPhotos by Vladimr MAREK and Jan KOUBA

17


20/44

ForeignO

perations

Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team has beena familiar term in the Czech Republic for quite sometime already. Over more than a years history of this

joint project by the Ministr y of Defence and the Ministryof Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Logar PRTbecame synonymous with reconstruction and renewal of

Afghanistan. The mission of the Provincial Reconstruction

Team includes supporting the Afghani central governmentin provinces, assistance on reconstruction of the country

on provincial level and the provision of a safe and secureenvironment for these activities.

At present, the province of Logar is the area ofoperations for the third contingent of the ArmedForces of the Czech Republic (ACR). The core of the3rd contingents military component comprises servicepersonnel of the 41st Airborne Mechanised Battalionatec. The contingent is augmented with soldiers fromHQ 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and the 43rd AirborneMechanised Battalion Chrudim as well as personnelfrom additional twenty-six ACR units and organisations.

Members of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade form76 percent of the 3rd contingent. The contingentscommander is Lieutenant-Colonel Petr Prochzka,an ofcer with experience from foreign operations inBosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan, wherehe served in 2007 as contingent commander and chiefof staff of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Feyzabad.

18


21/44

The 3rd contingent PRT Logar differs from the previoustwo in many respects. First, the number of Czech troopsoperating in Logar increased from the original 190 to 275at present. Reinforcements did not pertain to the Czechcontingent only. The increased number of U.S. forceshad a major impact on the situation in the province, andconsequently on operations of the Czech contingent. TheCzech contingent operates in the order of battle and underoperational command of the U.S. Task Force Spartan.For that reason, command and control system needed tobe harmonised with the system U.S. forces use. On the

other hand, augmentation of U.S. forces in the LogarProvince enabled our soldiers to make a greater use ofU.S. assets and expand their operations into six districtsout of the total of seven districts comprising the Logar

The PRT also comprises a civilian component, currentlyformed by 10 experts sent to Afghanistan by the Ministryof Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. They areprimarily civil engineers, and agriculture, media andproject management experts.

The overall mission of the Provincial ReconstructionTeam is identical for all contingents. What does change,however, in the context of current situation in Afghanistan,is the operational assignment. The 3rd contingent PRTLogar assumed its operational assignment on February23rd, 2009. In the 3rd contingents operations plan, theassignment divides into four lines: security, developmentof the Afghani National Security Forces, supporting the

Afghan Government, and assistance on development andreconstruction of the country. The rst line of operationsis primarily the mission of the PRT military component.

The military and civilian components work together to the

effect of developing the Afghani National Security Forces.Cooperation with Afghani Government on assistanceprojects and participation in aid projects are the principalmission of civilian experts, but that does not mean thisline of operations would have no involvement of themilitary component. We are succeeding in progressivelyperforming specic tasks we set for ourselves in individualperiods, says contingent commander Lieutenant-ColonelProchzka. We have a couple weeks to go before ourtour ends, and that is why the time has not yet come for

closing assessments. But it is fair to say already todaythat, despite various challenges we have had to deal with,

I am condent we will manage to perform all tasks one-hundred percent to provide for a seamless handover of theassignment to the next contingent, stressed Lieutenant-Colonel Prochzka.

19


22/44

province. That is naturally also of a considerable benetto the contingents civilian component. Aid projects arecurrently underway in all of the six districts. The fact thatreconstruction process may not be facilitated in full inthe last district, the district of Kharwar, is determined bythe local security situation.

Another major dif ference to the previous contingentsis the enlarged vehicle inventory of the Czech force.

Apart from vehicles elded with the Czech ArmedForces, the Czech contingent also uses Humvees. Theforce was also newly equipped with Dingo and Iveco

vehicles. The vehicles provide a substantially higherballistic protection, which is truly critical owing to the

aggravating security situation in Afghanistan.As our operational capabilities expanded, we are nowbetter able to monitor our operational environment andperform reconnaissance in regions, where additionalreconstruction projects are intended. So, we may

work substantially more effectively and faster, whichincreased the number of patrols we perform, describesLieutenant-Colonel Prochzka the current status.Compared to the previous year, patrolling intensity grewby 70 percent. Naturally, we are involved in the provisionof security, not only on the base, but also in areas criticalfor us in terms of future and current projects, elaborates

LTC Prochzka on the PRT missions. This progress in theperformance of operational assignment can be easilydocumented with numbers. As at July 31st, 2009, the3rd contingent PRT Logar service personnel participated

in 206 successful patrols, while a large majority of thosewere performed in conjunction with the U.S. TF SPARTANunits, the French OMLT, or units of the Afghani NationalPolice (ANP) and Afghani National Army (ANA). Inaddition to standard mobile and foot patrolling, ve so-called aeromobile patrol were performed in the Azra andKhoshi districts. Those were all multi-day patrols intoareas where the Czech forces have not operated before.

With an exponential growth of patrols performed,other Czech PRT operations shifted their focus as well.

Thanks to an expanding local knowledge of the area ofoperations, a whole set of databases was created thatare absolutely vital for military as well as civil expertsoperations. An in-depth knowledge of road infrastructureand terrain in area of responsibility, coupled with a goodknowledge of local environment, population, social andeconomic situation, as well as tribal structure, werethoroughly assessed and led into specic databasesand maps used not only by Czech soldiers and civilianexperts, but also by American and French Allies.

The principal goal of the Provincial ReconstructionTeam is to provide assistance to the Afghani Government inreconstructing the country, and the growth of operationalcapabilities allows for completing aid projects andidentifying new needs of the province. At the end of July 2009,Czech PRT civilian experts led by Ms. Bohumila Ranglovaccomplished 16 projects, 37 projects are in the processof realisation, with many of them nearing completion, andadditional 31 are at various stages of preparation. Thoseare also long-term projects whose realisation startedalready in 2008. The projects are realised in the followingelds: support to the Afghani National Army and ANP,

reconstruction of roads, water management facilities,agriculture, healthcare, schools, support to womens rightsand independent media. Key projects pursued by CzechPRT include: construction of ANP training and education

20


23/44

21

center; reconstruction of nine existing and construction oftwo new bridges; revitalisation of the only functional damin the province and renewal of the traditional irrigationsystem, so-called Karez. The PRT renewed and completedconstruction of ten schools for both boys and girls. Sincemajority of Logar province population live on agriculture,the Czech PRTs priorities include agricultural support,

with projects such as development of technical library in

the Institute of Agriculture, or holding an apiarist course.Last but not least, the projects should be mentionedthat support the position of women in Afghanistan, suchas support to education of girls, which relates to theconstruction of schools, or support to celebrations of theinternational womens day.

The fact that locals take a high interest in cooperatingwith the Czech PRT is attested by their attendance in so-called called bidders conferences. In these gatherings,PRT experts present planned projects and local rmsare able to develop their specic bids accordingly. Thelast conference held at the end of June 2009 saw the

attendance of 129 bidders. The decision on awardingprojects for realisation will be made in a couple of weeksby the means of a standard tender. The key factorsfor selection of winning bid include not only price andquality, but also the involvement of local people inrealisation of specic projects. It is cooperation with the

Afghani Government, as well as with informal authoritiessupporting democratically elected government, whichform the key principles of the Czech PRTs effort.

The militar y component has also actively joined theprocess of reconstruction in the form of so-called quickimpact projects. Compared to reconstruction projects,these may appear as having a minor importance, butthe contrary is true. Even small-scale projects, such assupplies of learning and teaching aids for local schools,equipment of the Afghani National Police, constructionof school playgrounds, or reconstruction of security

wall, do have a major impact on how civilian populationperceive our forces and consequently on the security ofour service personnel. More than twenty quick impactprojects are realised using the funds of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of the Czech Republic, as well as privatedonations. Traditionally, the endeavour of our soldiersreceived the support of Christian societies in the CzechRepublic, as well as Oliva Foundation and Hartmann

Rico company.Presidential elections in Afghanistan, which took

place on August 20th, 2009, represented a very importantfactor that affected the 3rd contingents operationalassignment. First of all, elections in Afghanistanextended our tour to an irregular period of eight to ninemonths. Secondly, it also effected an early rotation of52 members of the 4th contingent in order to providefor continuity in PRT operations, who had already joinedefforts in the run-up to the elections, Lieutenant-ColonelProchzka explains. However, the elections also broughtabout a whole set of specic tasks for the contingent,

whose performance began virtually immediately uponthe takeover of the operational assignment.We managed to establish an excellent cooperation

with the Afghani National Police and the Afghani

National Army and performed two basic training coursesfor Afghani Police ofcers. Likewise, a special course

was realised for commanders of 82 polling stationsthroughout the Logar province, LTC Prochzka adds.

That special course focused on security proceduresperformed by Afghani Police ofcers in the course of theelection. Czech soldiers also led police ofcer trainingdirectly at police checkpoints, where the Czech mobile

training team attended them. Checkpoints are situatedat all main roads in the province and play an importantrole in provincial control and minimising insurgentmovements, which was critical in the election period.

A similar cooperation has been established with theAfghani National Army. Training of Afghani troops is heldregularly once a week, focusing on medical training,

vehicle driving and maintenance training, and handgundrills. An intensive driver course was also realised usingHumvee vehicles that ANA has been equipped with.

The coalition forces were not to play an active role in thecourse of the elections; units stayed back and activity was

left upon the Afghani National Security Forces. In the courseof elections, members of the PRTs military componentcontinued discussions with the representatives of localgovernments, monitored security developments and wereready to help the local government in the framework of thequick reaction force system in case needed.

Unfortunately, Afghanistan claimed its toll in the ranksof the 3rd contingent members. One of the soldiers wasseverely wounded when a vehicle hit an IED on April 17th,2009. Today, the individual undergoes a demandingtreatment. But that is something every soldier serving in

Afghanistan must take into account.Before the operational assignment is handed over,

the 3rd contingent still has challenging tasks that needbe performed one-hundred percent. Only when the lastmember of the contingent is back in the Czech Republic,the time will come for evaluating and reviewing. But it isfair to say already now that maximum efforts are beingdone for this mission to succeed and for a good renownof the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team.

by Captain Lada KOVOV,Press and Information Ofcer,

3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar, Operation ISAFPhotos by 3rd Czech Contingent PRT Logar


24/44

In

troducing

COrOnAtiOn Of the CzeCh Queen AzAleACommencing with NATO nations ag raising, the

opening ceremony took place in the presence of Czechdefence delegation led by Deputy Minister FrantiekPadlek and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General

Vlastimil Picek.Traditionally, one of the NATO nations becomes the focus

of attention during the seven days festivities, recognisedas the Most Honored Nation. For the rst time, the CzechRepublic was to take up this role. In addition to that,a member of the Czech Castle Guard, Captain Magdalna

Dvokov, became Queen Azalea.First, the Queen received the Norfolk mace in personfrom the Mayor of Norfolk city, Paul D. Traum, andthe Czech Deputy Minister Frantiek Padlek thencompleted the coronation ceremony. His role was morethan symbolic he decorated the queen with crown.

For the whole week afterwards, Captain MagdalnaDvokov represented both the Czech Republic and its

Armed Forces. Her schedule was truly busy with varioustours of schools, clubs, as well as participation inconferences and discussions.

MeetinG At ACtOn the same day, Deputy Minister Frantiek Padlek

and Chief of General Staff Vlastimil Picek visited theHeadquarters ACT and were welcomed by Deputy SACT

Admiral Luciano Zappata, an Italian. They discussed topical

issues, touching on counterpiracy operations off the coastof Somalia for instance. They also debated the ProjectMultiple Futures, which encompasses contingencyscenarios and development of threats in future securityenvironment and their possible solutions. They discussedhow future battleeld could look like and how it willimpact the shape of NATO. They also reviewed the ways

ACT can use to provide assistance to individual NATOnations.

In the following meeting with Deputy Chief of StaffACT, Lieutenant-General James Soligan, they touched on

centers of excellence (COE), which is a form for electedNATO nations to specialise in various practical militaryelds of expertise, and how could other Allies expandtheir utilisation. A mention was made about the activitiesof the Czech-based COE in Vykov, which focuses ondefence against weapons of mass of destruction. Theyalso discussed NATOs new strategic concept and theimperative to enhance defence capabilities to be able tohandle contingencies arising from new threats such ascyber attacks.

On Wednesday, 29 April 09, the Czech delegationhad a call with the Supreme Allied Commander, General

James N. Mattis, who was keenly interested in current

Norfolk, FL, saw the 56th Azalea Festival launchedshortly before 4 p.m. April 27th, 2009, celebratingthe basing of the Allied Command Transformation(ACT) in the city, and held as a symbol ofunderstanding between Americans and theirAllies. What was originally a regional fest grew overtime into one of the largest international festivitiesin the U.S.

22


25/44

situation in the Czech Republic and whether the latestdevelopments on the political scene could not have anyimpact on operations of the Czech Armed Forces and theperformance of Czech commitments to NATO. The Czechofcials reassured General Mattis that changes in thecountrys leadership would not affect our relation to the

Alliance and our commitments. General Mattis said hehighly valued the Czech Republics contribution to joint

operational efforts in Afghanistan and recognised the

individual is a liaison ofcer at the US Army Training andDoctrine Command (TRADOC). The Czech senior delegationmet all of them. On that occasion, Deputy Minister Padlekdecorated CSM Ludk Kolesa, ACT Senior Enlisted Leader,

with commemorative medal on the 10th anniversary of theCzech Republics accession to NATO. The Czech gueststhen went on to visit U.S. Navy Base Little Creek and gainedfamiliarity with the mission, workings and equipment of this

U.S. Navy special component, including LCAC craft.

performance of our service personnel. The guests thenintroduced the General to the 2009 Czech Armed ForcesDeployments Plan and an outlook for the next year.

There are nine Czech servicemembers on staff toursat the HQ ACT structures. Three soldiers are members ofCzech national representation at HQ ACT, four personnelserve on the ACT International Staff, one serves as a liaisonofcer at the US Joint Force Command (JFCOM) and the last

syMPOsiuM At sixtieth BirthDAyNATO at Sixty Emerging Strategic Imperatives was

the title of symposium that took place on the fourth day ofthe festival, organised by Allied Command Transformationtogether with the Old Dominium University.

Policy practitioners and security experts, scholarsand military specialists from both sides of the Atlantic

debated political and military transformation of the

23


26/44

Alliance and possible future development ramications inrelation to missions and tasks NATO is facing in the present

security environment. The symposium also heard addressesby three Czech speakers. Ambassador with special missionfor Energy Security, Mr. Vclav Bartuka, set out specicexamples to demonstrate possible risks arising fromdependence on various sources of energy. NATO AssistantSecretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, Mr. Jiediv, underscored the imperative for NATO to developits cooperation with the UN, EU and other internationalorganisations. Professor Michael Kraus, director of theProgram of Russian and East European studies at theMiddlebury University in USA, covered the development ofRussia and its internal and foreign policy from the fall of theSoviet Union to date as well as Russian relations with NATO.

MilitAry BAnD shOWA venue to Virginia International Tattoo, the Scope

Arena in the city of Norfolk saw concerts by militarybands on the following day. Apart from orchestras fromthe host country, uniformed military bands from Canada,Germany, New Zealand and Norway came to show theirartistry. 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,

Vejvodas koda lsky (Roll out the barrels) arrangedby the Czech Central Band also received massive ovation,as well as a setting classical compositions by BedichSmetana and Antonn Dvok. A huge applause alsofollowed after solo by Rudolf Musil, who sang a part ofthe song titled U z hor zn zvon (Amazing grace).

nAtOfest WAs the BestOn Saturday May 2nd, the city of Norfolk belonged to

the Parade of Nations. A parade march involving dozens ofoats that passed the citys main boulevard was watched by

a crowd of many thousand people. The parade was concludedby three oats presenting the Czech Republic. The rst onedesigned to show folk traditions carried the Ondras militarygroup. The second oat was tted with a model of one of

the Czech national symbols, theKarltejn castle, and the third oatcarrying Queen Azalea LVI, CAPTMagda Dvokov, rode closingthe parade.

On Sunday, it was time forcitizens of Norfolk and for

visitors to say good bye to the

56th Azalea festival. And whata successful farewell it was.

A large area surrounding theimmense Scope arena turnedinto a standing review of twenty-eight NATO nations under thetitle of NATOFest. At high noon,the Czech Armed Forces CentralBand marched into the centerof area to play a mix of favourite

tunes. Listening to them, thousands of visitors tastedgastronomic specialities at individual national stands:

from Czech kolache, to French cheese to Americanfantastically colourful ice-cream. Those rather inclinedto intellectual enjoyments had a possibility to browse

various prints, from pamphlets to high-prole books andget to know cultural and other gems of given countries.Several times in the afternoon, musicians and dancersof the Ondr ensemble also gripped the attention of

visitors. The sound of cimbalom, violins, the bass andsigning always aroused a special attention of passers-by.Indeed, NATOFest was the best fabulous and original.

I travel to Norfolk on business pretty often, but towitness the city full of Czech music, dance, to see Czechags everywhere in the year of the tenth anniversary ofour accession to NATO and twenty years from the fall ofcommunism, that was an absolutely amazing experience,said NATO Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Ji ediv,in the closing of the festival. The fact that the CzechRepublic was elected the most honoured nation is a signof high prestige we enjoy within the Alliance. Our ArmedForces have much to be proud of and credit deserve allthose involved in making this event a success.

by LTC Jana RIKOV,Jan PROCHZKA & Jaroslav PAJER

Photos by LTC Jana RIKOV and Jan PROCHZKA

24


27/44

In the rst half of May 09, members of the 23rd AFB(Helo) Perov took part in a multinational mountainying exercise in French Alps. From the Czech Republic,the exercise involved fty personnel and three Mi-171Shhelicopters. Besides pilots, ight engineers and twofull technical support teams, gunners were involved as

well. AFB Perov introduced this military occupationalspecialty several months ago in response to lessons learnton using helicopters on foreign-deployed operations.Until now, helicopter protection was the responsibility

of troops carried onboard. Some of the newly assignedgunners had an opportunity to undergo gunner instructortraining on Lynx helicopter in the United Kingdom.We take them to all exercises, including where, as is the casehere, weapons are not authorised, explains commander ofthe group, Major Milan Koutn. Because they look aftertroops we carry. They tell them what to do and what to refrainfrom. They play their part on landing too. The ight engineerremains in the cockpit and assists in terms of following ightdata. Gunners lean out and watch the ground, whether wehave room for landing. Below three meters, controlling thehelicopter on landing is fully their responsibility.

An OnerOus JOurneyTo the Gap Tallard airf ield located south off Grenoble,France, the three Czech Mi-171Sh helicopters were

Service personnel of the 23rd Air Force Base (Helo)Perov practised ying and landings in mountains.Mi-171Sh engines are running at full throttle. On the port, Ecrins national park slowly fadesinto 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.to transfer on their own. The plan looked quite easy,but the weather decided to put our helicopter aircrewsto a test before they could take on mountains. Theoriginally prepared flight from Prague to Germany onMarch 6th was cancelled due to adverse weather andrescheduled for Monday, March 9th, 2009. However,neither at the beginning of the next week everything

went all right. The flight route from Prague viaRegensburg, Colmar Besancon, Lion, Valence to Gap

Tallard air field needed to be abandoned due to a bad

weather already in the German terr itor y. Low cloudbase and limited visibility forced the group commanderto divert and land at Laupthaim airfield, Germany.

The Czech personnel were received there wholeheartedly.The German party immediately responded to anunexpected situation, provided accommodation,supplied requested fuel and operatively prepareda demonstration of their helicopter assets.On the next day, front activity was imminent too; aircrewschose to leave out landing in Colmar for refuelling andcontinued nonstop. They were able to do so because offour drop tanks with opacity of nearly ve hundred litresof fuel, which each of the aircraft carried on externalpylons. Despite a minor complication as of the machineshit a bird, all Mi-171Sh eventually arrived Gap Tallardaireld.

25


28/44

triCKy turBulenCeIn the mountains, helicopters seek at least a relativelyat bed for landing and land. The door literally poursFrench troops with ries and antitank weapons. While

warghters are slogging in snow, the aircrew does notwait a second and lifts off. Mountains can be tricky.Already at the initial stage of the exercise, one of thehelicopters dropped several tens of metres owing toturbulence. Above what often seemed to be a at placesuitable for landing, most diverse air streams ew andit was simply impossible to land there. There was the so-called orographic turbulence. In other instances, Czechhelicopters landed on quite steep terrain while leaningtheir nose wheel on the ground and keeping the back ofthe helicopter in the air.

The exercise was organised by the European DefenceAgency (EDA). Apart from the Czech aircrews, it involvedhelicopter crews from France, Hungary and Spain.British and Belgian personnel participated as non-ight personnel. Taking off Gap Tallard at six hundred

metres above sea level, the machines were able toclaim above mountain ranges three thousand metreshigh quite fast. While the rst week was dominated bymountain ight and landings practice, the second weeksaw two exercises held. One of them was conceived asa demonstration for VIPs. The organisers are committedto holding this event on annual basis. Its their rstactivity; upon evaluation, they would like to continue inthe years ahead. The EDA intends to offer the exercise asa standard predeployment training. The training focuseson ying in mountainous environment. In our case, weare preparing for Afghanistan, says Major Koutn.

sCOttish enGlishStaying in France also helped practise communicationin English, because helicopters ew in formations. Forexample, our helicopter aircrews ew together throughglens together with Spanish Chinook and Cougar machines.Puma, Gazelle, Tiger and Agusta A-109 helicopters

were also present. The involvement of British forward air

P

26


29/44

controllers (FAC) from the elite SAS units was truly anenriching experience. By coincidence, they were Scottish,and they spoke a very peculiar English. In the beginning,communication was pretty challenging, but that is apart of

what we do, emphasises Lieutenant Vladimr Marek.As a cultural event, international dinner was held witheach of the involved parties bringing something typicalof their country.

by Vladimr MAREKPhotos by Jan KOUBA and Vladimr MAREK jr.

27

7/27/2019 Czech Armed Forces Review

czech armed forces review 1-2009

Documents