Outpost Against Terrorists

A terrorist band was captured at the Ukrainian border. The joint rapid deployment force was not at a loss, and an assault unit of two warplanes and four helicopters struck at the enemy air defense installations. Soon after, to finally neutralize the “enemy,” a tank company, a self-propelled artillery battalion, and an antiaircraft missile battery joined in.

Fortunately, this story is not a battlefield report but just a brief update on the developments during the practical stage of the experimental command post exercise Forpost (Outpost) — 2002. The copybook maxim of teachers — hours of theory will not replace practical learning — is also valid for the armed forces. As Minister of Defense, and General of the Army Volodymyr Shkidchenko told journalists after the mock hostilities, Ukraine is now unable to furnish all its forces with 100% of the necessary men and equipment. This is why emphasis is being put first of all on the joint rapid deployment force recently established under the Program of Reform and Development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Then it became necessary to see how theory translated into practice by simulating their combat deployment and control.

The exercise was held on an impressively wide scale. For at the second stage (Outpost lasts two weeks) one can see perhaps absolutely everything the Ukrainian army is capable of — from marching drills to warship missions. Figures also confirm the objective assessment. The exercise involves 6,500 men, 20 combat and transport planes, 12 helicopters, 9 warships and boats, and 600 pieces of firearms and hardware. The simulated hostilities unfolded at the 240th combined-arms proving ground of the Northern Operational Command of the Ukrainian Land Forces, with all the 6,500 personnel staying at large army tents nearby. And to keep up the soldiers’ morale and patriotic feelings, there are placards reading something like, “Train hard, fight easy” and “We shall defend the Ukrainian land.”

Very soon the joint rapid deployment force will be engaged in the third stage of Outpost or the second stage of its practical part. In that case, an air mobile landing unit will strike at the “enemy” bases, block avenues of retreat, and foil the adversary’s reconnaissance efforts.