International Training Events in Kosovo

The operations cell of the joint Portuguese–Hungarian KFOR Tactical Maneuver Reserve Battalion (KTM) organized a common range day for the peacekeepers serving in Kosovo.

Held in Orehovac range, the target practice/live fire exercise started with a static display, where the servicemembers of the 10 participating nations chose the weapons to be tested subsequently. During the three-day training, the Hungarian soldiers – most of whom are drawn from the HDF 5th “Bocskai István" Infantry Brigade – had opportunities to test firing with pistols, assault rifles, machine guns and sniper rifles (that are in service with other nations).

In the second half of the week, the Hungarian Charlie Company – which is stationed in Pristina in the subordination of the KTM – took part in a combined Crowd Riot Control (CRC) practice together with the Portuguese and a US company. This training event was necessary because the different sub-units need to know each other’s techniques in order to be able to co-operate effectively. Furthermore, the companies rehearsed how to assist each other in action and how to relieve each other if necessary.

During the practice, the US troops received Fire Phobia training (aimed at helping to overcome the fear of fire) from the Portuguese company. It is the KTM alone that is authorized to conduct the fire phobia training, which all sub-units must undergo after deploying to the area of operations.

Capt. Alex Bowling, the commander of Alpha Company (US 1-41st Infantry Regiment) stationed in Novo Selo said that the multinational training “was very useful because we learned some new techniques we have not done before. We could see how the different KTM partners (Portuguese and Hungarian troops) conduct their CRC actions". He added that although their procedures are somewhat different, from now on the two units can work together successfully.

Photos by the author and SFC Tamás André