Embassy Events

Slovak Soldiers Train with Americans in Germany Before Deploying to Afghanistan

Slovak Army Chief of Staff General Lubomir Bulik (right) shares a meal with the Slovak soldiers during a break in training. Embassy photo, David Galles.

Slovak Army Chief of Staff, General Lubomir Bulik traveled to the U.S. Joint Training Readiness Command (JMTC), a U.S. military training facility in Grafenwoher, Germany to observe a Slovak platoon training there. This Slovak platoon will be the first to rotate to the Dutch-led contingent in Uruzgan. General Bulik was impressed with the level of training the soldiers received in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan. The platoon conducted a defensive perimeter live fire exercise, which included calling for artillery, stopping a vehicle-borne improvised explosive devise (IED) and casualty evacuation. After the live fire exercise, General Bulik participated in the after action review led by Brigadier General Hogg and ate lunch with the soldiers. The Slovak platoon is highly motivated and willing to work all hours to train. Three Slovak television stations - STV, Markiza and TV JOJ - accompanied General Bulik, were present for the full presentation by Brigadier General Hogg and were at the range watching the live fire.