15.12.2017.
Winter 2017 exercise carried out
The demonstration live-fire tactical exercise of the First Brigade dubbed Winter 2017 was held at Pasuljanske livade combined-arms training ground.
The event was attended by Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces General Ljubiša Diković, with the members of the Collegium.
The goal of the combined exercise at the battalion level, on the theme of combat group in the defence with the transition to attack, was to demonstrate the training level of the commanding forces and the subordinate units of the combat group in the preparation, organization and execution of combat operations in all weather conditions.
Through execution of the activities, they demonstrated the way of organising and carrying out a live-fire tactical exercise with a battle group, as well as the required level of training of units for performing the set tasks in the course of the operation.
In his address after the exercise, Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin said that, in accordance with orders received from Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, the Serbian Armed Forces will have several major tasks in the next year.
- In the first place, this is the improvement of our training level and further work on better training of our soldiers, the increase in the combat readiness and readiness of each of our members. Today we saw that this was possible and we could see firsthand the excellent training and motivation, and I can freely say, the courage of members of the Serbian Armed Forces as well. In turn, the Ministry of Defence will continue to work on equipping the Armed Forces, modernising it and improving the material position of our members.
The Minister of Defence said he was pleased that the public can see the conditions in which our soldiers are practicing.
- To see why they are preparing and training, how much effort and renunciation is needed to be able to meet the highest standards that are ahead of them. I am glad that the public can see that every dinar invested in members of our armed forces returns to extraordinary people, and returns to the Armed Forces, which can guarantee safety and security in every part of our territory. Today, with this exercise, we have shown that members of the Armed Forces, in this case, the First Brigade, are at the highest possible level and that our country can be peaceful and safe, and that any threat can already be removed in advance. Such a strong army is the greatest guarantor of peace. Thus prepared army is a guarantor that there will be no war - Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin said.
The Exercise Planning Officer and the Commander of the First Army Brigade Brigadier General Željko Petrović said that the two week training activities at the Pasuljanske livade training ground, within the training of the battle group, have been successfully completed with this day today.
- Members of the battle group had the opportunity to feel how it is to perform combat activities in difficult weather conditions. In order to train a battle group in such conditions, it is important that its command and all units, through exercises, raise the capability level and create conditions for further training, which will also raise the training level of our forces - General Petrović said adding that training in these conditions strengthens the morale and ability of the units and promises that in the coming year we will be able to accomplish this and similar activities even more successfully.
The Winter 2017 exercise demonstrated the successful cooperation between units and generations and the integration of the training of the generations of the Land Force, as well as the integration of the two service branches - the Army and the Air Force.
