As part of the mission in Kosovo, the joint exercise between the Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W), the Italian-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) units and the Kosovo Tactical Reserve Battalion took place from 9 to 10 July last. (KTRBN), unit constituting the tactical reserve deployed in Kosovo by NATO.
The exercise was intended to train the units in the management of critical events, maintaining their operational capacity high, in order to guarantee an effective response to the occurrence of events likely to threaten stability, security and freedom of movement in the area of operations.
A scenario of popular mobilization was simulated, in which the forces exerted had to face a real escalation of disorders.
In the course of the exercise, in addition to the riot control units, engineering units were used to remove the barriers, as well as a bomb squad for the control and reclamation of explosive devices.
The exercise involved: 253 KFOR soldiers of Italian, Austrian, Moldovan, Hungarian, Slovenian and Croatian nationality, 32 wheeled vehicles, a dozer wagon, two multi-role helicopters, medical assets, as well as military police units and local police forces.
During the exercise, the speed of introduction of forces in the area involved in the exercise was tested; the integration of the tactical reserve in the MNBG-W device, as well as the command and control capability by the MNBG-W staff.
Currently constituted on the basis of the 24th "Peloritani" land artillery regiment, with a force of about 700 soldiers of which 250 are Italians, the MNBG-W is deployed in the western sector of Kosovo, with the task of guaranteeing the carrying out of a presence action and deterrence aimed at maintaining a safe environment and contributing to the consolidation of peace.
