A live exercise took place from 1st to 2nd September 2011, involving all manoeuvre units and headquarters staff of the Multinational Battalion (MNBN), the Integrated Police Unit (IPU) and the EUFOR Helicopter Detachment (HELDET).
On day one, after a well organized convoy, all elements safely reached their assigned staging areas and MNBN HQ staff set up the Tactical Command Post and all communication assets inside Capljina barracks. Detailed planning was then conducted for the rest of the exercise.
Day two of the exercise saw a smooth conduct during all phases of the reception and escort operations, followed by a series of incidents, designed to train the units in responding to emergency situations.
Those scenarios included simulated car accidents, where the members of the involved units had to send the correct reports and air medical evacuation (Air MEDEVAC) requests and to properly secure the accident area as well as to marshal helicopter operations.
Another incident, when civilian cars blocked the reception area, required sound negotiation skills, proper reporting and the deployment of reserve forces.
Action on the side of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Medical teams became necessary when one vehicle accidentally entered a mine infested area - an incident that not only required a medical evacuation but also attracted local journalists that had to be dealt with correctly.
Finally, after having successfully handled all those problems and battled high temperatures and rough road conditions, all units safely returned to Camp Butmir, where the Commander of the MNBN, Lt Col Friedrich Ölböck, applauded the troops for their splendid conduct throughout the exercise and expressed his confidence that, as the MNBN, WE STAY PREPARED!
