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Operation Rapid Resolve
By Capt. Jesus Campuzano
First published in
SFOR Informer #73
Manjaca - October 20, noon, a thick cloak of clouds cover the
Manjaca Training Area, in the Area of responsibility of Multinational
Division South West. On the ground, a forward team of the US Army Southern
European Task
Force (SETAF) waits patiently the jump of a Multinational force made up
of a company of SETAF's 1-508th Airborne Battalion Combat Team (ABCT),
augmented by an Italian platoon from the Alpini Parachute Battalion from
Monte Cervino and some elements of the SETAF staff. These 180 paratroopers,
as part of the SFOR Strategic Reserve Force (SRF), are in Bosnia to reinforce
the SFOR Operational Reserve within the framework of Exercise Joint Resolve
XVII.
At 13:30, as planned, the rumble of the engines of the C-130 Hercules
aircraft is audible, but the clouds make it impossible to see them, the
jump is postponed one hour. The weather conditions get worse and the force
is diverted to Tuzla. "It is a pity after the previous training we have
made with the Americans in Italy... but security is first in exercises,"
said Lt. Marco Manzone, Commander of the Italian platoon.
In Eagle Base, near Tuzla, in the Multinational Division North, Americans
and
Italian paratroops have the opportunity to meet with their counterparts
of the Russian Separate Airborne Brigade, and share knowledge and experiences.
Despite the very adverse weather conditions, the SFOR SRF has now gained
valuable hands-on knowledge of Bosnia and their SFOR colleagues in Theatre...
knowledge that they will be able to apply if this over-the-horizon force
is ever called in by the commanders.
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