Members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AF BiH) and the United States of America will participate in a joint military exercise called "Bilateral Exercise," which will be realized on November 18 and 19, 2020 at the AF BiH - Glamoc and Manjaca training grounds, Bosnia's Defence Ministry said Monday.
The BiH AF will participate in the exercise with a computer-assisted exercise (CAX) and field exercise (FTX), and the US Armed Forces will participate with two F-16 aircraft, which will provide support forces on the ground. The planes, which will provide close air support at the location of the Glamoc range, will not use live ammunition but will perform laser locking of the target and simulated destruction after receiving a support call.
The aim of the exercise is for the AF BiH to improve operational capabilities of the declared battalion group through exercise with specialists for guidance and control of close air support (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers – JTAC). This would give the AF BiH the ability to conduct conventional operations and carry out assignments in real-time and in the international environment with the use of close fire and air support.
The “Bilateral Exercise” will also enable the Bosnia's Armed Forces to improve partnership cooperation with the United States and NATO partners, and to develop interoperability and readiness, as well as to create preconditions for the introduction of new capabilities of the AF BiH, the Ministry said.