By Ship and „On Their Own Wheels”

As reported earlier, a large-scale logistic exercise is running in the training areas of the HDF Bakony Combat Training Centre between 1–26 June. Besides exercising multinational logistics and strengthening military relations, the exercise provides the participating forces with excellent opportunities to prepare for real-world coalition operations. The objective of NATO’s major training event is to apply and test the collective logistic objectives and doctrines of the Alliance in practice, and to examine and evaluate the logistic and other elements of the EU Battle Group of the Visegrád countries (V4 EUBG).

As part of the preparations for the exercise, the pieces of military equipment are transported by rail, water and road to the training area. The assets of a German logistic battalion arrived at the port of Gönyű near Győr on 3 June. The vehicles rolled out on the ramp of a special RO-RO ship (roll on – roll out ship: as the name of the vessel indicates, the vehicles are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels which makes debarkation/embarkation easier and cuts the time afforded to it), and the transport containers were loaded onto the transport vehicles standing by with the use of a huge crane.

The convoy of the march column then left for Hajmáskér, and for the “0" point range.

As the host of Exercise Capable Logistician 2015, the Hungarian Defence Forces have a dual role. On the one hand, they are participating in the execution of the exercise, and on the other they are providing Host Nation Support and real life support for the participating international forces.

The exercise involves 1700 troops and some 600 pieces of military equipment coming from 20 nations.

Photo: Antal Kazi