“The International Situation Is Intensifying”

Several troops from 16 NATO and partner countries will fight only in “simulation space", which, however, also requires precise arrangements. The headquarters workstations and those of the operators directing the role-playing units had to be set up and the CIS devices had to be tested in several aspects. Besides, the executive training audience received the first pieces of information about the “initial situation", the battle staffs commenced their analysis, while acting on this information, the troops purposefully carried on with their training activities.

Drawn from the HDF 5/39 infantry battalion, the 2nd infantry battle group is representing the Hungarian Defence Forces on the exercise. The infantry battalion and the staff officers of the module elements have performed the tasks of the preparations. They have gotten into touch with the US 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), the unit playing the role of the superior headquarters, and tested the command and control (C2) equipment. One challenge is that the 173rd IBCT, together with most of its reinforcements, are currently still staying at their “home station", i.e. Aviano Air Base in Italy.

Under the fictitious exercise scenario, responding to a request from the UN that reacts to the outbreak of a regional war caused by a long-lasting political tension, the IBCT – one of the main assault formations of the multinational force – is ordered to deploy by air transport to support the motorized forces, to help them restore sovereignty of the country under attack and de-escalate the conflict. It is in this latter phase when the infantry battle group drawn from the 39th battalion will also come into play in the simulation space. According to plans, the execution of this complex operation will include defensive, offensive and peace stabilization elements.

Photo: 5/39 Infantry Battalion and internet