Soldiers from the EUFOR reserve forces of Slovakia and Austria are in B&H from today in order to perform integrated training with multinational battalion EUFOR, and to also practice peace support operations with the B&H Armed Forces.
This is a routine exercise that will last for the next two weeks and there will be increased military traffic and activities throughout B&H.
These exercises have been planned in advance and are held two times a year, in March/April and August/September.
EUFOR planned this event in close cooperation with local law enforcement agencies and intends to reduce public disruption to a minimum.
The exercise ‘Quick Response 2’ begins today, when soldiers from one Slovakian infantry, which is one of the units that make up EUFOR reserved forces, will go to B&H in order to practice their activation in the reserved forces.
The second reserved forces will arrive from Austria on Sunday, 1 September.
EUFOR reserved forces are forces from six EU countries that can be rapidly deployed and called in a very short time as reinforcement troops permanently stationed EUFOR troops.
The multinational EUFOR battalion, which is made up of two infantry troops, is stationed in B&H, and additional troops are outside of B&H and ready to act in case of a security threat.
This mechanism for engaging forces for quick action has regular trainings and the exercise ‘quick response 2’ builds on the success achieved during the recent exercise held in April of this year, which is the first significant practice of this procedure.
The engaging of two EUFOR reserved forces infantries from 30 August to 12 September will result again in increasing the number of soldiers under the control of EUFOR by around 300.
The exercise ‘Quick Response 2” is designed to demonstrate the commitment of the EU, partners and other international organizations in supporting a safe environment in B&H and to confirm the ability of EUFOR to increase the number of its troops.
Participants will also practice Euro-Atlantic techniques and tactics tied to peace support operations with the B&H Armed Forces and they have to show effective command, control and communication.
The exercise will be carried out in various stages, from activation and rapid deployment of two infantries from Austria and Slovakia, to their integration into EUFOR structures.
The culmination of this exercise will be made public, which will be demonstrated through the combined military capabilities to high officials and media representatives on 12 September.
After that, all soldiers will be again re-deployed to Camp Butmir, from which members of the reserved forces will be sent back to their home bases, announced EUFOR.
