Troops of the Strategic Reserve Force (SRF) of EUFOR are already in Bosnia and Herzegovina and now their equipment also arrived. They will be soon conducting patrols across BiH and training with EUFOR in-theatre forces and elements of Armed Forces of BiH, the European Union military mission in BiH said on Thursday.
French soldiers of the Strategic Reserve Force arrived in Sarajevo on April 7, and were welcomed at the Sarajevo International Airport by COM EUFOR Major General László Sticz and Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo Anja Margetic.
On April 3, COM EUFOR Sticz held a press conference with Bosnian Defence Minister Zukan Helez, Deputy Defence Minister Slaven Galic and Brigadier General Tomo Kolenda, Deputy Commander of Joint Staff Armed Forces of BiH to inform the citizens of the arrival of the SRF troops.
Sticz explained on that occasion that EUFOR is a functioning and effective combination of in-theatre forces which can call on reserve forces when required.
“These reserve forces can be integrated into EUFOR troops that are already deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A number of European Union member countries have committed to provide these reserve forces. These reserve forces regularly deploy to BiH to conduct familiarization training which will ensure that, if they are ever requested to deploy, they will be familiar with BiH and EUFOR procedures and be able to integrate quickly to complete the task assigned to them. This will ensure that a safe and secure environment (SASE) is continuously maintained in BiH,” he said.
Together with Romanian and Italian troops, the SRF troops will be solely dedicated to EUFOR, forming a battalion size multinational force element of Operation ALTHEA, the mission then announced.
“Approximately 250 soldiers and their equipment will deploy by air, rail and road. The process of deployment (Receiving, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration – RSOMI) will also be part of the exercise. The deployment of this Strategic Reserve Force displays the commitment of EUFOR and European Union to BiH to support local authorities in maintaining a SASE,” it further explained.
The deployment of the Strategic Reserve Force will bear the name MELEAGER, who was the son of ALTHEA, after whom the European Union Forces’ operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is named. Choosing this name for this deployment, “Exercise MELEAGER” aims to symbolize the strong ties between EUFOR in-theatre and reserve forces.
According to the mission, during their time in BiH, this Strategic Reserve Force will conduct training and patrols with EUFOR forces, which will allow EUFOR to practice the effective integration of Strategic Reserve Force into EUFOR force structure. They will also conduct training together with EUFOR and AFBiH. This will further increase cooperation and interoperability between EUFOR and AFBiH.
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