Boletice, Czech Republic -- Five countries, five languages, with one common theme; "Fighting as one." That motto drove the five NATO allies including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary and the U.S. to success during Exercise Tobruq Legacy 2015 in the Czech Republic from June 23 to July 3.
Tobruq Legacy 2015 was a Ground Based Air Defense, sensor to shooter live fire exercise where the Soldiers of U.S. Army Europe based 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command or 10th AAMDC, and their Air Defense Airspace Management shelter, used their network communications equipment and technical abilities to provide a common air picture the other four countries could use to target and engage airborne threats effectively. They even found new ways to connect equipment that was never meant to communicate with each other.
"Tobruq Legacy is a true example of the united effort of the willing nations, and everyone contributed with great enthusiasm, and I'm convinced that at the end of this day we'll be able to report a successful accomplishment," said Brig. Gen. Jaromir Sebesta, Deputy Commander, Czech Air Force.
The participating countries took time to thank each other for their shared success during a joint briefing where they also discussed plans for future Tobruq Legacy exercises.
"Exercises like this are very important because it allows us to bring our partners together, to understand each other, and to fight as one. And we are glad to host the next Tobruq Legacy Exercise in the Slovak Republic next year," said Maj. Peter Fajcik, Commander of Slovak contingency during Tobruq Legacy.
All of the countries accomplished something they had never done before, for example Hungary and Lithuania fired their weapons systems during a night fire for the first time in their history.
"One of the most important things for us was the first time for a night live fire. We also appreciate the experience and knowledge the other countries shared with us," said Lithuanian Air Defense Battalion Commander, Maj. Vitalijus Sadrejevas.
Along with the multinational contributions, the Ohio National Guard also sent a detachment from the 2nd Bn., 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, with their Sentinel radar system to contribute to a clear air picture, and able to detect air breathing threats including aircraft and UAV's.
This is the first Tobruq Legacy exercise but plans for next year are already underway with a possibility to double the number of participating nations.
"Together we can accomplish anything, and not one of us can bring everything we need to the fight, but to do this as allies, every single nation brings an important piece," said Col. Janelle Eickhoff, 10th AAMDC Commander. "Together we're a really powerful team, and we all know were not going to fight by ourselves, we are going to fight as one team."
Related Links:
Tobruq Legacy opening ceremony
10th AAMDC soldiers at Tobruq Legacy 2015
Ohio National Guard trains with NATO allies
Live Fire and Interoperability video from 5 countries
10th AAMDC medics train with Czechs and Hungarians
VIDEO of what participants learned at Tobruq Legacy
VIDEO of what it's like at multinational exercise
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