SVK Air Force units practise the readiness to defend Slovak airspace

The SVK Air Force has concluded the most important phase of Ex Air Shield 2017 that unfolded at the Training Centre Lešť and on the training ground at Kolíňanský Vrch, building on Ex Blue Wave 2016, Ex Air Shield 2015 and Ex Tobruq Legacy 2016. MiG-29, L-39, L-410 aircraft and Mil Mi-17 helicopters were used to exercise the SVK Air Force's capabilities. “The aim of the exercise was to practise the standard operating procedures for planning, controlling and executing individual tactical missions by the command staffs of the units subordinate to the SVK Air Force in protecting and defending Slovak airspace,” emphasised Brig Gen Miroslav Lorinc, Deputy Commander SVK Air Force. The intent of the exercise also included increasing the SVK Air Force's overall readiness to defence the Slovak Republic and contributing to operations under NATO's collective defence. The exercise assembled 280 personnel from across the SVK Air Force units, i.e. Tactical Wing Sliač, Helicopter Wing Prešov, Transport Wing Kuchyňa, SVK Air Force Command, Control and Surveillance Wing Zvolen, Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade Nitra, and 5th Special Forces Regiment Žilina. At Kolíňanský Vrch, members of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade Nitra used the PLRK 2K12 KUB GBAD systems. Ex Air Shield 2017 tested the units' readiness to carry out operations to gain control of airspace; to coordinate AF units; to protect and defend airports; as well as conducting SAR missions. The exercise was directed remotely via advanced technologies, which allowed soldiers to evaluate their tasks in a detailed and thorough manner directly in the field.