Foreign Operations

Following the accession to NATO, the Czech Republic assumed also a commitment to take part in foreign military operations under the flag of the Alliance. Thanks to experience gained in foreign service in UN multinational missions from 1993, followed by operations the Czech Republic participated in under the NATO Partnership for Peace programme, Czech military contingents have successfully fulfilled their tasks not only in countries of former Yugoslavia, but also in other parts of the world. The Czech general public has been well aware of this country's soldiers participation in missions and operations in faraway Afghanistan, Pakistan, and engagement of Czech Military Police contingent in Iraq in training new Iraqi Police Force. Not a small role has been also played by Czech military observers in, on many occasions, exotic places of this planet under the flag of the United Nations or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Coalition Operation in Iraq

The international community is represented in the country by the coalition of Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) and the NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I). The MNF-I has been deployed in Iraq since March 2003, when the Iraqi Freedom operation began, while the NTM-I has been set in the country following NATO Summit in Istanbul in summer 2004.

MNF-I - Multi-National Force Iraq Based on the decision of the Czech Government and approval of both chambers of the Czech Parliament, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic will rotate their contingents in Iraq in 2007 of size not exceeding 100 personnel. Number of Czech military personnel on the operation: 89 (to 17 May 2007) 1st Contingent of ACR Commander: Major Marcel KŘENEK

The majority of soldiers defend and protect a base of multinatinal force close to the City of Basra and perform police tasks out of the base. Five soldiers of the Contingent are serving at the International Command of the NATO Training Mission in Iraq in Baghdad.

NATO Operation in Afghanistan

The ACR have participated in the NATO Multinational Force in Afghanistan since 12 March 2004. The Czech Parliament House of Deputies approved ACR participation in the operation for 2007 in October 2006.

In response to a NATO request to enlarge national contributions to ISAF operation, the Czech government decided in January 2007 to deploy a field hospital and a chemical detachment of the Czech military in Kabul. The deployment commenced in March 2007 to last at least a year.

Since the end of April 2007 a thirty-five-member contingent of Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Czech Military Police has been serving in the south of Afghanistan in Helmand province. The unit reinforces capabilities of a British brigade deployed in this part of the country. The unit's task is to protect specific persons and significant objects and facilities. There are three six-month rotations planned. The Czech Parliament House of Deputies approved ACR participation in the operation for 2007 in October 2006.

PRT

The Czech personnel have been par of a reconstruction team in Badakhshan province since 9 March 2005. Their task is to support security in the area, to protect international units, and to cooperate with local people in reconstruction of their homeland. Czech scouts are assigned to the team of about 200 soldiers together with Danes and soldiers of the German Bundeswehr. Each Czech contingent serves in Afghan city of Feyzabad in northeastern part of the country for six months. Number of Czech military personnel on the operation: 80 (to 17 May 2007) Contingent commander: Colonel Aleš OPATA Contingent Structure: The Commander of the contingent serves at the same time as Deputy Commander of PRT, and he commands a platoon of protection and escorts, and a support group.

Field Hospital and Chemical Detachment

Based on a request by the Allied Command Operations - SHAPE to deploy a field medical facility and the Czech government's decision, the Czech military increases it contribution to ISAF operation in Afghanistan by a field hospital, chemical detachment and policemen. The deployment commenced in March 2007, and the mission is planned for 12 months. Commander of the 1st Contingent of ACR: Lieutenant Colonel MUDr. Zoltán BUBENÍK The Contingent includes to 17 May 2007: · Field Hospital Personnel: 82 · Chemical Detachment Personnel: 13 · Military Police Personnel: 3

Major tasks of the Contingent: Providing medical service to ISAF personnel; Transit of patients and preservation of their conditions prior to strategic evacuation; Forming of mobile teams in case of mass casualties to operate as far as 10 kilometres around the Kabul airport; Conducting preventive medical and veterinary care within the area of responsibility; Cooperating in education of medical personnel of the Afghan National Army and security forces.

Chemical Detachment The detachment is a support unit attached to the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul. Its major tasks include evaluation of radiation, chemical and biological situation in the area of responsibility, and identification of toxic and radioactive agents. The unit personnel are prepared to take samples for immediate analysis and advise the HQ accordingly.

Commander of the Chemical Detachment: Major Radek MALINA

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