Trebišov-based tankies undertake firing and tactical tasks at Lešť

For the first three weeks of February, members of the 1st Tank Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion Trebišov, have been deployed on a training exercise under the leadership of Squadron Deputy Commander 1Lt Rastislav Bodnár at the Training Centre Lešť.

According to Battalion Commander Lt Col Ľubomír Bodnár and Battalion Deputy Commander Maj Jozef Horváth, the deployment is the biggest practical test of the unit’s capabilities since its reestablishment last year. During Week 2, tankies undertook firing and tactical tasks. “As part of the combat firing assignments, tank troops were rated as “Good” in the tactical phase and as “Excellent” in the firing phase. The overall rating was “Good”,” said 1Lt Bodnár, the officer in charge of the firing training. He reminded that with new soldiers joining the Battalion and others changing positions as drivers, gunners and tank commanders, individual elements of the 1st Tank Squadron are now working on their coordination skills. They are learning to work closely together as teams during practical assignments. He commended the approach and results achieved by squadron command sergeant major Sgt Maj Dávid Koma, squadron sergeant Sgt 1st Class Tomáš Oštadnický, gunner/specialist Sgt Marek Kučma and tank driver Cpl Zdenek Malejčík.

According to Maj Horváth, the training tasks included, among others, testing the ability of squadron and tank commanders to make decisions during an operation to halt the enemy advance, the conduct of combat operations, the coordination of fire control as the battlefield situation develops, and enemy target identification and neutralisation, as well as preparing and conducting manoeuvres and coordinating units. Next week members of the 1st Tank Squadron are undergoing an uninterrupted 72-hour field training, which will test their physical and mental readiness. As members of the Trebišov-based Mechanised Battalion are exercising at Lešť at the same time, the tankies will also join the squadron-level tactical live fire exercise of the 1st Mechanised Squadron.