Piše Boris ŠVEL
TEMA BROJA:
Croatian Slunj MTA 00
U razdoblju između 9. i 24. studenog ove godine pripadnici Marinskog korpusa Sjedinjenih Država (United States Marine Corps, USMC) održali su na poligonu Slunj vježbu "Croatian Slunj MTA 00"1), čija svrha je bila dvojaka: uvježbati 26. marinsku ekspedicijsku postrojbu kao stratešku pričuvu multinacionalnih snaga razmještenih u Bosni i Hercegovini (SFOR), odnosno na Kosovu (KFOR) te evaluirati vrijednost poligona Slunj kao vježbališta američkih marinaca.
U vježbi su sudjelovali 26. marinska ekspedicijska postrojba (osposobljena za specijalne operacije) - 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) pod zapovjedništvom brigadira (Colonel) Kennetha J. Gluecka Jr., kao i desantna skupina nosača helikoptera USS Saipan i borbena skupina nosača aviona USS George Washington. Vježbu su popratili mnogi visoki dužnosnici, uključujući ministra obrane Republike Hrvatske Jozu Radoša, zamjenika načelnika Glavnog stožera Oružanih snaga RH general pukovnika Josipa Lucića, kao i zapovjednika Marinskog korpusa generala zbora Jamesa L. Jonesa Jr. i zapovjednika američke 6. flote viceadmirala Gregoryja G. Johnsona. Kao ključne događaje vježbe možemo izdvojiti združenu topničku vježbu hrvatske gardijske i američke marinske topničke bitnice koju su pratili mnogi gosti, odnosno bojno gađanje protuoklopnim vođenim raketnim sustavom Javelin koje su pripadnici USMC-a izveli u nazočnosti ministra obrane RH Joze Radoša i zapovjednika Marinskog korpusa generala Jonesa te drugih odličnika, čemu su posvećeni i zasebni napisi. Ovaj tekst posvećen je kratkom prikazu vježbe na Slunju, odnosno općenitoj skici USMC-a, kao i njegovih namijenski organiziranih ekspedicijskih snaga.
Vježba na Slunju bila je podijeljena u više faza:
- Faza I: napredovanje operativnih snaga (od 4. do 9. studenog)
- Faza II: pokret glavnine snaga (između 9. i 12. studenog)
- Faza III: uvježbavanje (razdoblje od 11. do 21. studenog)
- Faza IV: izvlačenje (22. studeni)
- Faza V: ukrcavanje (do 24. studenog).
Tijekom vježbe američka strana izvela je niz vježbovnih aktivnosti, poput obuke u temeljnoj pješačkoj taktici do razine satnije, obuke u planinarskim vještinama, bojnih gađanja pješačkim naoružanjem, minobacačima kalibra 60 mm i 81 mm, protuoklopnim vođenim raketnim sustavima TOW i Javelin, topništvom, oružjima na lakim oklopnim vozilima, amfibijskim oklopnjacima i tenkovima.
Summary
The paper deals with the exercise "Croatian Slunj MTA 00" that was conducted from the 9th to the 24th November 2000 at the Military Training Area "Eugen Kvaternik" near the Croatian town of Slunj by the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which represents a part of the strategic reserve provided by the United States Marine Corps to SFOR and KFOR. The exercise was visited by many dignitaries, including Croatian Minister of Defense Jozo Radoš, Deputy Chief of Croatian General Staff Lieutenant General Josip Lucić, Commandant of the USMC General James L. Jones Jr., and Commander US 6th Fleet Vice Admiral Gregory G. Johnson. A description of the joint artillery exercise by the Croatian and USMC howitzer batteries is given separately, as well as a description of the Javelin ATGW system live fire.
The paper begins with a brief description of the exercise, including dislocations of the USMC and US Navy Forces during the exercise, given as of 14th November 2000. The author than gives an outline of the USMC as a semi-autonomous branch of the US Armed Forces, as well as a briefing on the USMC personnel, with the emphasize on enlisted personnel and Warrant Officers. The further description of the USMC is focused on the organization of Marine Corps, with the Marine Air Ground Combat Team concept as a basis fo Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Expeditionary Unit. The composition of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is given in detail, with the 26th MEU (SOC) as an example. Starting with missions and capabilities of MEU (SOC), the author explains Ground Combat Element (The Battalion landing Team 2/2), Air Combat Element (The Composite Helicopter Squadron, HMM 264), as well as MEU Service Support Group. Finally, a brief comparison with The British Royal Marines is also included. The statements of Croatian Minister of Defense Jozo Radoš, Chairman of G-3 Department of Croatian General Staff Brigadier General Drago Lovrić, Commandant of the USMC General James L. Jones Jr., Commanding Officer of the 26th MEU (SOC) Colonel Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Sergeant Major of the 26th MEU (SOC) Sergeant Major William J. McKnight, and Commanding Officer of the MEU Service Support Group Lieutenant Colonel Paul L. Brygdier are also included, as well as the interviews with Commanding Officer of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Major General Martin R. Berndt, Commanding Officer of the Battalion Landing Team 2/2 Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence D. Nicholson, and Chairman of Croatian Planning and Coordination Staff for the exercise Colonel Ante Čičak. Also included is a description of the US Meal, Ready to Eat.
