VARPALOTA, Hungary - Eight nations participated in a riot-control demonstration during Exercise Brave Warrior 17 at Varpalota, July 20.
The demonstration falls under Brave Warrior, a Hungarian exercise that focuses on combined maneuvers and freedom of movement. Brave Warrior runs in conjunction with Saber Guardian, a U.S. European Command , U.S. Army Europe-led exercise taking place across the Eastern European Region. The annual, multinational exercise is the largest to occur in the Black Sea Region. The purpose of the exercise is to assure NATO Allies and partners of U.S. commitment to the common defense of European nations.
The eight nations which participated in the riot control demonstration were Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, U.K., U.S. The situation began upon arrival of Hungarian Defense Forces by helicopter, after news of a protest.
The protesters, portrayed as civilians by civilian volunteers, kicked rocks, jabbed at shields with staffs and threw plastic bottles at the peacekeeping forces. Tension escalated as the protest slowly evolved into violence. Malatov cocktails crashed into the ground.
One Hungarian Soldier extinguished the wall of flames as the others pressed through, cornering the rioters. As smoke clouded the air, the rioters edged away to regroup. Violence continued as the rioters continued to display unruly behavior. More armed civilians joined the riot.
In the distance, a camouflaged KTO Rosomak, an amphibious wheeled infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier, maneuvered into a defensive position. Hmmwvs with mounted weapons drove onto the field. A Hungarian BTR-80, an amphibious armored personnel carrier, and Romanian TAB-77s joined the defensive line.
The vehicles return enemy fire as approximately 30 Hungarian Soldiers arrive to assist in the riot. The soldiers press the rioters back. Planes fire ammunition from above. Soldiers from U.K.'s Princess of Wales Royal Regiment rescued the mayor and U.S. Soldiers assisted in the mayor's evacuation by a Hungarian Air Force Mil Mi-17 Hip.
In a press conference following the demonstration, guests Gen. Tibor Benko, Chief of Defense of Hungary; and Dr. Istvan Simicsko, minister of defense of Hungary discussed the importance of riot-control training.
The riot control demonstrated a possible situation that could become reality.
"Unfortunately, the world is moving in this direction," remarked Dr. Istvan Simicsko, minister of defense of Hungary. "We are increasingly seeing that civilians and pseudo-civilians are deployed in order to undermine the state and even to undermine the government to ensure that peace and prosperity end in these states."
Unconventional warfare and the presence of civilians in these scenarios complicates the response, said Simicsko.The nature of the simulation was a demonstration of readiness for the future.
Hungarian Soldiers have again proven they are capable of maintaining their strength and can achieve success anywhere and under any circumstance, said Benko.
With 1000 Hungarian Soldiers busy with peacekeeping missions and an infantry company participating in a training session in Estonia for a period of three months, Hungary is dedicated to NATO.
"Through observing the exercise that we have just seen, we can witness with our own eyes how successfully our soldiers are capable of cooperating with our foreign partners and Allies," Benko stated.
Following the press conference, all participants of the riot-control demonstration gathered in formation for the final words of Gen. Benko and for select soldiers to receive awards.
Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Europe, congratulated Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, on their participation. He let squad leaders choose five Soldiers to receive coins, with an explanation of why the Soldiers deserved the coins.
The coin belonged to the Soldier with the condition that the Soldier would always carry the coin on their person. Otherwise, start pushing, declared McGuire.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sheryl Lyon, senior enlisted adviser to U.S. Army Europe, visited with the Soldiers as well. She discussed family and army programs, encouraging Soldiers to seize opportunities.
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