BASIC INFORMATION ON ADRIATIC STRIKE 23
Between 29 May and 9 June, the Republic of Slovenia will host the multinational exercise Adriatic Strike 2023 for the eleventh consecutive time. In the exercise, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) will collaborate with 29 other NATO and PfP member states to provide Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training with the support of air force capabilities.
The first week of the exercise is intended for the arrival of the exercise participants, the establishment of the command-and-control structure and the conditions for the execution of the exercise, which will take place in the wider area and airspace of the Republic of Slovenia.
This year's exercise, which will be organized and conducted by the SAF’s 15th Wing Command, will train certified JTACs, shooting platform teams, C2 structure up to the division level, Air Crews, Forward Air Controllers (FACs) and special unit members.
The exercises will include some 800 participants, 400 of them from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Norway, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America. JTAC training will be supported by the following air force capabilities:
Rotary-wing aircraft:
- Bell 206, Slovenia
- Bell 412, Slovenia and Montenegro
- Bell 505, Montenegro
- Bell OH 58 Kiowa, Austria
- Cougar AS AL 532, Slovenia and Spain
- Eurocopter Tiger, Spain
- IAR 330 Puma, Romania
- Mi 8, Litva
Fixed-wing aircraft:
- Aero L 159, Czech Republic
- Albatros L 39, the Netherlands
- Eurofighter EF 2000 - United Kingdom
- F 16, United States of America
- JAS 39 Gripen, Hungary
- Lear Jet 35, Germany
- Pilatus PC-7, Austria
- Pilatus PC-9, Croatia and Slovenia
- Tornado, Germany
The exercise will also be supported by nine (9) NATO member UAVs.
The aircraft supporting JTAC training will be based at the Cerklje ob Krki and Brnik Air Bases, while the allied Pilatus PC-9 – Croatia, Jas 39 Gripen – Hungary, Eurofighter EF 2000 - United Kingdom, Tornado - Germany and F-16 –USA will support the exercise from their parent bases.
The main JTAC training will take place at four locations around Slovenia. At the main SAF training area in Postojna, aircraft, tanks and mortars will provide fire support, while in the broad territory of Bohinj, Idrija and Bela krajina, aircraft will only simulate air support.
In order to ensure safe conduct of the exercise and safe and uninterrupted air traffic, temporary daily airspace closures will apply over the areas of operations from Monday, 5 to Friday, 9 June, between 09.00 - 12.00; 14.00 – 17.00 and 20.00 – 23.00. A large part of activities will be conducted during daylight hours. Increased noise is expected in training areas due to aircraft overflights.
Field activities, previously coordinated with the local community, will follow a pre-prepared scenario. They will generally not be disturbing to the surroundings, since only a small number of military vehicles and personnel will be engaged on the ground. The use of manoeuvre ammunition will be minimal and, during their movement with vehicles, exercise participants will use public roads and metalled forest roads.
The basic mission of JTACs is to provide the commander in the field with an advice on the use of air and other types of fire support (sea, mortar, artillery). JTACs advise the commander on the proper use of fire support and control the operations once conducted. In the field, they provide support in the form of reconnaissance, convoy escorting and control of the surroundings so as to provide comprehensive protection of friendly forces.
JTACs also played a key role in fighting wild fires in the Karst region by ensuring the safe conduct of air operations and effective execution of firefighting activities.
At training point (TP) Bohinj, participants will be trained in mountaineering skills with air support. Up to 100 soldiers a day will be involved at this TP. They will move around the area of the Triglav National Park, namely the Valentin Stanič mountain lodge and the surrounding area, using the established mountain trails. Increased aviation activities will be carried out between 09.00 and 17.00.
At TP Idrija, joint warfare tactics training will be conducted, with a focus on joint terminal attack controllers. The activities will be carried out in the area of Bate, Banjšice, and Kal nad Kanalom, where smaller units will train in different tactical procedures using manoeuvre ammunition, and bang and smoke effects. Some 100 soldiers with different military vehicles and equipment will be present at this TP. Increased aviation activities will take place from 09.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 17.00 and in the evening from 20.00 to 23.00.
The main activities at TP Poček will take place around Bač, Pivka, Prestranek and Postojna. The aircraft, helicopters and drones of both Slovenian and allied forces will be overflying these areas within the agreed airspace. The main activities will take place at the main SAF training area in Postojna, where pre-announced live-ammunition firing will be performed. Increased aviation activities will take place three times a day from 09.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 17.00 and in the evening from 20.00 to 23.00.
At TP Bela krajina, the main activities will be conducted in area of Pribišja, Črešnjevec, Vinji vrh, Semič, Brezje, Kot, Blatnik, Petrova vas, Črnomelj, Talčji vrh, Mavrlen, Dobliče Tanča gora, in Vranoviči. The exercise will include some 120 partcipants with different military vehicles. SAF members together with allied forces will train in different tactical procedures with focus on JTAC training. At the above-mentioned locations, exercise participants will perform movements on foot and by military vehicles. At this location, the use of manoeuvre ammunition, and bang and smoke effects is expected. During the training, the airspace will be overflown by aircraft, helicopters and small UAVs. Increased aviation activities will take place from 09.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 17.00 and in the evening from 20.00 to 23.00.
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