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Hot spots training |
| CERBERUS Cerberus was the three-headed monstrous dog, guardian of the Greek Underworld. Faithful servant of Hades, the monster permitted all spirits to enter but allowed none to leave. |
Multinational Division Southeast (MND-SE) trained
its forces by performing a three-day long exercise called “Cerberus”
from July 18 to 20. It was aimed at dealing with three different
kinds of eventualities: a massive re-entry of refugees from a
neighbouring country; a sniper ambush; and the action of SFOR
if surrounded by hostile elements. The exercise raised expectations
in the media, which tried to link it to the pursuit of war criminals.
Bradina
- In order to accomplish SFOR's general mission, to create and
maintain a secure and safe environment (General Framework Agreement
for Peace GFAP, Annex 1A), MND-SE assessed its readiness by means
of training. The Cerberus exercise was one of a continuing series
of training events to ensure operational capability, and to be
ready to respond to three main contingencies. The MND-SE Headquarters
G5 Plans and Operations had made up two different scenarios with
a total of three hot spots. This was the reason for the name Cerberus
(see box).
The
forces, about 1,200 soldiers, were divided in two Task Forces
(TF1 & TF2) that operated in a Target Operation Zone (TOZ).
TF1 consisted of two companies (French and Spanish), TF2 had a
battalion (two German companies and one French); two more companies
of mechanised infantry stood in reserve. In addition, helicopters
from the Multinational Army Aviation Battalion, based in Ploce
(Croatia), and the Operational Reserve (Air) were used. All these
units were co-ordinated by a Mobile Tactical Command Post, where
a Moroccan Platoon was attached.
The
first training scenario involved a massive influx of refugees
from a neighbouring country. TF1 had to face a possibly large
amount of refugees in the direct vicinity of the eastern border
(hot spot 2). SFOR's mission was in accordance with its mandate
as stated in GFAP Annex 1A, article VI. The manoeuvre was carried
out in TOZ1, municipalities of Kalinovik and Nevesinje (both in
Republika Srpska - RS).
The
second scenario dealt with eventualities happening in a Weapon
Storage Site (WSS). The action was performed in two phases, both
of them accomplished by TF2. In the first phase, a sniper ambush
was aimed against an inspection team inside the site (hot spot
1). Some rebel troops (role-played by other SFOR soldiers) took
control of a WSS, blocking the way and capturing the inspection
team as hostages.
SFOR's troops arrived and started to negotiate. After some tense
moments, the troublemakers finally surrendered and nobody was
injured. Then, in the second phase, TF2 had to help another SFOR
unit surrounded by hostile elements (hot spot 3). In this stage,
the action took place in the municipalities of Fojnica and Jablanica
(both in the Federation).
The
exercise was planned several weeks in advance as part of the regular
training schedule. But due to coincidence, Cerberus raised great
expectations among the press that linked the exercise to a PIFWC
operation. Journalists from Associated Press (AP), France 2 and
Reuters followed the development of events in hot spot 1, where
Maj. Gen. Maurice Amarger, MND-SE General Commander, attended
the action. In response to media queries he said: “This is
a regular exercise, pure inter-operability. In this kind of exercise
we train and learn. It is difficult to co-ordinate this kind of
action that is going to be repeated in the future to react in
real life."
Related link:
Training and Exercises
