Brave Warrior 2016 – Training in Full Swing in the Bakony Hills

“We have carried out the individual training programs, and have now switched to training and cohesion building on squad level. First, the soldiers practiced march formations and movement on terrain. The squads had to take up positions and organize their security. Of course, the personnel also participated in training with combat vehicles. In order to be able to react to the current changing circumstances in the world and the spread of hybrid warfare, during the training we tested the soldiers under conditions in which they had to respond to unforeseen situations such as finding an IED on the road. Besides, the members of the support platoon were also training for their tasks. It is very important that they can manage their time properly, and take up firing positions as quickly as possible, because their duty is to secure the terrain sector where the infantrymen take up their positions", 1st Lt. Tamás Ispán, Commanding Officer, 3rd Company told us.

He added that in the initial phase of the exercise, it is very important to build up cohesion on the level of small units, because there are always some young newcomers in these subunits, and these soldiers are not so experienced as their comrades who have been serving for a long time. Building cohesion among squads is a good occasion to have the personnel – especially the raw recruits – stick together, and gives another opportunity to the other members of the subunit to rehearse on the field.

After the dry runs, the squads commenced the execution of live fire events. During the range days, they used not only small arms but also fired the guns of the BTR-80 combat vehicles, mortars and anti-tank weapons as well.

The program of the week included Emergency Close Air Support (ECAS) training as well, which involved Gripen fighters on this occasion.

Photos by PV1 Zoltán Hajdú and the author