REGEX 18 Kicks Off
A five-day multinational computer-assisted command-post exercise REGEX 18, started today in the Simulations Training Center in Banjica 2 barracks, Belgrade, and it represents joint and combined training of military, civilian and police structures for participation in multinational peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations.
Objectives of the training carried out in accordance with NATO standards and procedures are focused on improving the capabilities of the brigade command staff officers in command and control of forces deployed in operations in a multinational environment in order to enhance interoperability.
- After long and extensive preparations we are beginning with the stage of execution of the computer-assisted command-post exercise. Since the establishment of the REGEX Initiative, this is the fifth in a series of exercises conducted in NATO organisation since 2014, said Colonel Boško Zorić, Acting Chief of the SAF GS Training and Doctrine Department (J-7), who is also “REGEX 18“ planning officer.
He emphasized that this year it is for the first time that the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) prepares and conducts a brigade level command post exercise, which was preceded by seven training and planning workshops with foreign partners.
- This is a single stage, one-sided, multinational and multi-functional exercise whose concept supports the preparation and implementation of multinational peace support operations in an unstable environment, based on a comprehensive approach and focused on cooperation with all relevant actors in the operation zone - Colonel Zorić said, wishing all participants a successful work.
Colonel Mičo Branković, Chief of the Simulations Training Centre, presented a scenario according to which the members of the exercising command of multinational brigade will be trained for the next five days, expressing belief that during this period they will successfully execute all the complex tasks that will be assigned to them.
Apart from members of the Serbian Armed Forces, members of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit of the Ministry of Interior, representatives of international organizations (UN Office in Belgrade, UNICEF, UNHCR, OSCE, International Committee of the Red Cross), the Commissariat for Refugees, the Red Cross of Serbia and about 60 members of the armed forces from 15 countries also take part in REGEX 18.
The main goal of the participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in the REGEX Initiative is the development of interoperability in the field of training and development of capabilities for planning combined exercises with the armed forces of the regional countries and other NATO members and participants in the Partnership for Peace programme.