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Two SAF exercises in the second half of September
In accordance with the training plan for 2011, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) will conduct a tactical exercise of SAF commands and units “Izziv 2011”, which will take place between 19 and 22 September in the Republic of Slovenia. A tactical exercise “Challenge 2011” with air defence and aviation units conducting combat shooting will take place between 21 September and 2 October at Krivolak range and Petrovac airport in the Republic of Macedonia.
The aim of the exercise »Izziv 2011« is to train participants in the procedures of SAF commands and units during the transition to a higher level of readiness, as well as to exercise force protection, testing and assessment of capabilities of high-readiness forces and confirm the abilities of SAF forces to provide conditions for the establishment of an airhead as the initial phase of the exercise “Challenge 2011”. The exercise also aims at deploying combat support and combat service support units on land, at sea and in the air, and at conducting search and rescue. The exercise will at the same time serve as the Command Centre’s training framework for the achievement of the final operational capability within the future Joint Operations Centre.
Exercise Director is Commander of the SAF Command Centre, Brigadier Dragan Bavčar. The exercise will include all SAF commands and units in various sizes, a total of 2,700 SAF members. The exercise will also include Police, Customs, Slovenija Control d.o.o. and airport services of the Jože Pučnik Airport, Ljubljana. Italian Air Force units in charge of conducting regular air policing missions over the Republic of Slovenia will also participate.
During the exercise »Challenge 2011«, which serves as the continuation of the exercise »Izziv 2011« and is based on bilateral cooperation with the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, SAF air defence forces together with members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia will conduct combat shooting with the Igla Man-Portable Air Defence Systems. The SAF air forces will conduct ground target bombings with Pilatus PC-9M aircraft; helicopter crews will train in airlift procedures on an unknown territory by day and by night, and in medical evacuation, while the exercise will also test the ability to deploy forces abroad and to conduct host-nation air command and control.
The commanding officer in the exercise is Commander, Air Defence and Aviation Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Jani Topolovec. The exercise will include some 200 SAF members, including 14 members of the voluntary contracted reserve. The main body comes from the Air Defence and Aviation Brigade, while the participants will also include those from the Force Command, 11th Signal Battalion, 670th HQ-Logistics Battalion and the 17th Military Police Battalion. Eight different SAF aircraft will be included, namely five Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, two Cougar AS-532 helicopters and one Bell 412 helicopter.
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