Members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro (AFM) have shown that they are ready, together with allies and partners, to carry out tasks in conditions that require maximum physical endurance, training and teamwork, said Chief of the General Staff Miodrag Vuksanović, on the occasion of the completion of the main part of the international military exercise "Common Challenge 26".
He said that three days of continuous engagement, in rain, storms, strong winds and harsh mountainous terrain, is the best indicator of the level of readiness they want to achieve and maintain.
As Vuksanović stated, a soldier does not prove his readiness in ideal conditions.
"It is confirmed when the terrain is difficult, when weather conditions make movement difficult, when rest is minimal, and the equipment carried is heavy. This is precisely why exercises like this are of exceptional importance; they give us a realistic picture of our abilities and show where we can and must be even better," Vuksanović pointed out.
The Ministry of Defense said that during the three-day offensive operation, members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, together with members of the armed forces of allied and partner countries, were continuously in the field and carried out complex tasks in extremely demanding conditions.
"The soldiers moved through rain and stormy weather, and then through mountainous areas exposed to strong winds and other challenges of the harsh mountain environment," the statement said.
It is emphasized that, with minimal rest, the soldiers carried combat equipment weighing a total of about 40 kilograms during the operation, while simultaneously mastering demanding routes and carrying out tasks stipulated in the exercise scenario.
A particular challenge, the Ministry added, was overcoming steep rocks and cliffs, where members carried out part of the operation using mountaineering techniques, performing demanding climbing activities in full combat gear.
The final phase of the offensive operation was monitored by the exercise director, Frigate Captain Goran Đurković, along with evaluators and observers from allied and partner countries.
The Ministry said that through direct monitoring of activities in the field, the manner of performing tasks, application of procedures, level of training, interoperability and the ability of units for coordinated action in a multinational environment were assessed.
"I am particularly proud of the fact that our members operated together with colleagues from allied and partner armed forces in such demanding conditions. This is the best way to improve interoperability, exchange experiences and build the trust necessary for successful joint operations," said Đurković.
The "Common Challenge 26" exercise is the largest international exercise on the territory of Montenegro, which brought together more than 500 members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, the National Guard of the US state of Maine, and the armed forces of Spain, Austria, North Macedonia and Slovenia.
The maneuvers were carried out in the territories of Kolašin, Žabljak, Nikšić and Šavnik.
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