Cross-Training Before the Golden Sabre

The goal was to efficiently prepare the participants to the “Golden Sabre” exercise that will be held on 7 May. The exercise directing staff (DISTAFF) simulated those security situations that pose the greatest challenges of the Kosovo area of operations; the soldiers could practise each situation in a rotational system. KTRBN forces participated in the cross-training with a manoeuvre company, an on-site command element and an opposing force (OPFOR) subunit.

During the cross-training, joint tasks were practised with the Kosovo Police, EULEX (European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo) present in the area of operations. The Kosovo Force (KFOR) sub-units must be on standby as a third response force to reinforce local security forces and the EULEX and take over their task system if the police can no longer handle the security situation.

In the second training phase, KFOR forces had the opportunity to practise Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) tasks. The KTRBN plays an indispensable role in CRC tasks due to its professional competence and experience. The KTRBN soldiers provide CRC training and preparation for other KFOR sub-units on numerous occasions.

In the northern municipalities of Kosovo, protesters and rioters often hinder the right to free movement by building barricades and constructed obstacles. Eliminating these obstacles is an international task. Hungarian soldiers are exceptionally good at providing close protection for engineering works that are necessary to restore the freedom of movement.

The KTRBN provided an OPFOR subunit for the participating nations throughout the whole cross-training so that it simulated a situation close to the real-world ones, and thus soldiers could prepare for situations posing real-life security challenges. The KTRBN soldiers are often requested by the KFOR leaders to carry out joint training events (such as Fire Phobia) with other KFOR nations because thanks to the unique task system of the Hungarian contingent, the professional experience of its personnel is indispensable in the international environment.