The international tactical exercise Ample Strike 2020 takes place in the Czech Republic from 31st August to 19th September 2020. The most intensive training will be carried out at working days from 7th to 18th September 2020. In addition to the Czech Republic, six other Alliance armies (Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Germany, the Slovak Republic and the United States) are planning to participate in the training. Almost five hundred Czech soldiers should be accompanied by up to 200 foreign soldiers.

Picture: The exercise is mainly focused on harmonizing the activities of advanced forward air controllers with the crews of aircraft and helicopters and commanders of ground units in a multinational environment. (photo from the Ample Strike 2019 training) | Staff Sgt. Devin Nothstine / CC BY-NC-ND

The exercise is mainly focused on harmonizing the activities of advanced forward air controllers with the crews of aircraft and helicopters and commanders of ground units in a multinational environment, testing the host country's ability to provide support to foreign units (Host Nation Support), or the in-flight refuelling capability of Jas-39 Gripen pilots.

Video: Ample Strike 2020 - trailer / YouTube

The soldiers will use the Boletice military training area, Bechyně Airport, the 22nd Sedlec Helicopter Base, Vícenice u Náměště nad Oslavou, the 21st Tactical Air Force Base Čáslav, the Pardubice Airport Administration and the 26th Command, Control and Surveillance Regiment Stará Boleslav.

Picture: Map with marked air corridors as part of the Ample Strike 2020 training | army.cz

The participating aircraft will include not only the Czech Mi-24 and Mi-171S helicopters, Jas-39 Gripen and L-159 Alca aircraft, but also the German Eurofighter, Tornado, Learjet and PC-9B aircraft or the Slovak Mi-17 helicopter. The United States are participating in trainings with the B-52 strategic bomber, with KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and the MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Picture: American strategic bomber B-52 accompanied by Jas-39 Gripen above the Czech territory | army.cz

"The mayors were assured that the organizers of the training will do their utmost to keep the impact of the training on the public to a minimum," said Captain Jan Rybička of the Cybernetic and Information Warfare forces. Members of the mobile liaison teams of civil-military cooperation were, in the vast majority of cases, assured by the mayors that extensive complaints were not expected from local residents around Boletice and Bechyně. This was confirmed also by Mrs. Věra Kubešová from Sudoměřice near Bechyně: "We are used to the presence of the army and we take it as a part of everyday life. Many families from this area have among them a former or active member of the Army of the Czech Republic or the active reserves.”

"Throughout the preparatory and executive parts of the training, there is a press centre on standby, the task of which is, among other things, to resolve any complaints and to inform about flight activities. The Cybernetic and Information Warfare forces will set up a mobile liaison team for the duration of the training, which will be able to intervene directly in the field if necessary," added Colonel Aleš Cápal, who is managing the Ample Strike 2020 training.

Picture: In addition to the Czech Republic, six other Alliance armies (Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Germany, the Slovak Republic and the United States) are planning to participate in the exercise | Staff Sgt. Devin Nothstine / CC BY-NC-ND 

The training is fully under the responsibility of the Army of the Czech Republic, the control element is the 22nd Helicopter Base. It will be implemented on the basis of the Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 876 from 9th December 2019.