“Jackal Stone 12” international military exercise

The aforementioned MOD and MOI representatives pointed out that the Republic of Croatia after 2009 was again hosting the “Jackal Stone 12” international military exercise, which involves 11 NATO member countries: the Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, the United States and Slovakia. Additional seven countries will participate as observers (Denmark, Finland, France, Canada, Hungary, Slovenia and the United Kingdom).
The exercise will be held at several locations in the Republic of Croatia from 13 to 25 September 2012, with the main location Zemunik Air Force Base, and the activities will be also carried out in the waters and air space of the Republic of Croatia.

“Jackal Stone 12” is the largest international military exercise of Special Forces in Europe, coordinated by the U.S. Special Forces Command in Europe (SOCEUR). The goal of the exercise is to increase cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of participating countries, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation, security and stability and training procedures and raising the level of skills of planning and implementation of activities under the jurisdiction of the Special Operations Forces.

The exercise will involve about 2,000 participants. Several government departments which hold the jurisdiction of certain segments of the exercise has been also included (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Environment and Nature, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure).

Within the frame of the Jackal Stone 12 exercise a construction projects of interest to the local community and the Armed Forces for the exercise execution have been regularly carried out. This time kindergarten in Udbina (project value of 100 000 dollars) have been rebuild and waterworks project Udbina was completed (project value of 177 000 dollars), and in “Josip Jović” Barracks in Udbina headquarters building has been under construction. The projects have humanitarian character and improve the quality of life of local residents and have been funded by the United States. Works have been jointly carried out by the CAF and U.S. engineering units (the so-called “Seabees”).

During the planning and implementation of the “Jackal Stone 12” exercise all legal provisions on environmental protection and conservation of areas were and will be respected. All exercise participants were informed about the mandatory environmental measures.

The strategic partnership and alliance of the Republic of Croatia and the United States contributes to strengthening security and stability in the Southeast Europe and around the world. For its contribution to ISAF in Afghanistan, KFOR in Kosovo and missions around the world, Croatia continues to receive well-deserved recognitions from its strategic partners.

Director of the “Jackal Stone 12” exercise is Colonel Martin Starčević, Deputy Head of Operations and Training Directorate, Commander of the exercise is Maj. Gen. Michael Repass (SOCEUR Commander), and his deputy, is Brigadier General Ivan Jurić, Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command.