From 10 to 14 June 2024, the international exercise of chemical units under the designation CORONAT MASK 2024 (COMK24) will take place after a gap of several years. The 31st Regiment of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection in collaboration with the Framework Nations Concept (FNC) initiative, specifically the CBRN Protection Cluster, is in charge of preparing the exercise this year. COMK24 will take place in the premises of the Hradiště Military Haven, the Pereč Training Area and the training polygon near the city of Liberec.

The main objective of the exercise is to harmonise the activities of chemical units, to share experiences, procedures and practices across NATO armies and, last but not least, to verify the functioning of the command and control system in the performance of tasks of protection against weapons of mass destruction at the tactical level. This will include radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance, sampling, decontamination of personnel and equipment (ground and air), radiation and chemical analysis in field laboratories and alert and warning.

More than 800 soldiers and nearly 100 pieces of special chemical equipment from the armies of Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Montenegro and the USA will take part in the exercise. In the spirit of maximum realism and in order to fulfil the principle of "Train as you fight", not only soldiers from the 31st Regiment of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection, but also members of the 15th Engineer Regiment, 14th Logistic Support Regiment, Active Reserves, University of Defence, 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, Military Medical Institute, Military High School Moravská Třebová and others will be involved in the organisation by allocating forces and resources.

"The exercise is truly exceptional. It is not only the presence of specialists from thirteen countries, but especially the scale of the exercise, which is prepared to reflect the current threats. The capabilities of chemical and radiation survey, sample collection and transport, radiometric and chemical laboratories, decontamination of people, casualties and equipment will be tested. The CBRN-EOD capabilities, biological team and other capabilities available to the Czech Army Chemical Forces and allied partners will also be deployed," says Colonel Tomáš Unzeitig, Deputy Commander of the 31st Regiment of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection in Liberec, who is leading the exercise.

The last time the exercise of the same name took place was in 2018. The intention of the FNC - CBRN Protection Cluster is to conduct it regularly every two years. Slovakia has tentatively promised to host Coronat Mask 2026.