“Immediate Response 11” international military exercise
An international military exercise “Immediate Response 11” has been held at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area near Slunj and in the Simulation Centre of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command “Fran Krsto Frankopan” on the Croatian Military Academy in Zagreb, from 6 to 18 June 2011.
The exercise involved a total of about 990 members of the armed forces, mainly from Croatia and the United States, and members of the armed forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Members of the Croatian Armed Forces (about 570) and members of the Armed Forces of the United States (about 400) will be mainly engaged at the training ground near Slunj, while members of other participating countries (four from each country) will be engaged in computer-assisted exercise held in Simulation Centre in Zagreb.
“Immediate Response 11” exercise is carried out with the aim of promoting regional stability and security and to strengthen interoperability between NATO and partner countries. Also, one of the goals of this workshop is to prepare for participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the exchange of lessons learned from ISAF.
Otherwise, “Immediate Response 11” exercise is part of joint training and exercises of the EUCOM (United States European Command) and USAREUE – United States Army Europe, and is designed to improve joint interoperability of allies and partner nations and to improve preparation of participants for the successful operation in joint, multinational and integrated environment.
Members of the “Pauci” motorized battalion from composition of the Guard Motorized Brigade and members of the U.S. armed forces of the Minnesota and New Jersey National Guard will participate on exercise at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area. Exercise Director from Croatian side is Commander of the engineer regiment Colonel Robert Suntesic, while the U.S Exercise Director is Colonel Ardis Ferguson, Commander of the 209th Liaison Team from the USAREUE.
The exercise is conducted according to the imaginary scenario, and except ground forces, in the exercise will also participate members of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence.
Presentation part of the exercise is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, at the military training area “Eugen Kvaternik” Slunj.