Ex Saber Strike 22 enters its tactical phase

International Ex Saber Strike 22, which has been underway in Slovakia these days, has entered its tactical phase. The exercise, planned two years in advance, involves 2,200 troops, including 1,500 U.S. Armed Forces personnel with 600 pieces of combat equipment (CE) and combat support equipment (CSE).

The exercise venues are located across Slovakia, to include the Training Centre Lešť, Levice Garrison's training ground, and Sliač and Kuchyňa air bases. A U.S. unmanned aerial systems unit has been deployed to Boľkovce airfield, however, the unit is not currently operating UASs due to the operational request of the Exercise Director and the unfavourable weather conditions.

As part of Ex Saber Strike 22, soldiers are practising joint readiness missions aimed at conducting fast and efficient movements of Allied troops in winter conditions, defensive operations and their complex logistic support. The reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSOI) of an Allied unit within Slovak territory is very relevant in the given situation. Today, media have had the opportunity to attend the Ex Saber Strike 22 Media Day and see the exercise's tactical phase at the Training Centre Lešť.

Deputy Chief of Defence and Exercise Director in Slovakia, Lt Gen Ľubomír Svoboda said: “Ex Saber Strike 22 is progressing according to plan. For the Slovak Armed Forces, this is a unique opportunity to practise our capabilities to support Allied forces and interoperability. This exercise is one of the main training activities of the Slovak Armed Forces in 2022.“ He reminded that exercise activities are taking place across Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states and Slovakia, with the participation of 13 nations.

As a firm part of NATO's Military Training and Exercise Programme (MTEP), the Saber Strike series of exercises have been conducted bi-annually. In Slovakia, Ex Saber Strike 22 is scheduled to run until 14 March 2022. The day after the exercise's conclusion, the deployed Allied units will start their return movements to their respective garrisons in Germany.