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Tactical phase of Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2 comes to an end at Military Training Centre Lešť

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

13.11.2023

Phase 2 of Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2, an international deployment exercise (DEPLOYEX) demonstrating Allied force projection, integration and withdrawal, culminated at the Military Training Centre Lešť today (13 November 2023).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák and Spanish Ambassador Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos joined Spanish Chief of the Defence Staff Adm Teodoro López Calderón, Czech Chief of Defence Lt Gen Karel Řehka, and Slovak Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko for the Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2 (STCO23-2) Distinguished Visitors' Day (DVD), where the exercising Allied forces demonstrated a high level of cooperation in defence of Slovakia and NATO's eastern flank.

Today the Military Training Centre Lešť saw the culmination of the nearly-one-week-long tactical phase of the exercise during which the deployed Spanish contingent (ESPCON) joined forces with members of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia (CZE, SVK, SVN, DEU and USA) to test the compatibility of operational procedures in conducting combat missions.

STCO23-2 involved almost 1,000 exercise participants with tactical and combat vehicles. The exercise also put to the test Slovakia's Host Nation Support (HNS) during the reception, staging and onward movement (RSOM) of Allied forces across Slovakia. The final phase of the exercise will officially conclude as and when the ESP forces return to their home base in Spain.

The MOD has once again issued a traffic warning to local motorists as traffic volumes are likely to be high due to military movements, particularly around the Banská Bystrica region. To ensure road safety for all road users, drivers are advised to follow the road traffic rules and the instructions by Military Police (MP) officers in escort vehicles.