Joint Training in Kosovo

Exercise Jewelled Spear was preceded by a joint three-day training in Camp Marechal Lattre de Tassigny. Besides the Hungarian soldiers, the US Company subordinated to KFOR Multinational Battle Group-East (MNBG-E) and the Polish Company performing the duties of the European Union Rule of Law (EULEX) mission participated in the training. For the purpose of improving effective co-operation, the Hungarian soldiers practiced now for the first time with the newly established Italian detachment maintaining the freedom of movement (FoMD-2).

In addition to practicing the various crowd and riot control (CRC) tasks, the US soldiers acquired the procedures for the protection against the effects of lighter fluids. In addition to the continuous presence patrol activities, one of the priority duties of the forces stationing in Kosovo is the maintenance of the freedom of movement. During the complex tasks each detachment had to demonstrate their competence and knowledge in close to real-life situations. In the joint exercise conducted in Camp Vrelo, the different KFOR detachments participated. In addition to controlling civilian protests and ensuring freedom of movement on the roads, the highlight of the exercise was freeing the people held hostages. During the CRC-tasks they had to address several situations, in particular removing the heavy barricade and the responding to the Molotov-cocktails used by the enemy.

The directorates of the KFOR Headquarters and the commanders of the participating detachments were also represented at the joint exercise.