Troops from seven NATO countries have begun the month-long “Black Swan 2021” exercise in Hungary, led by the Árpád Bertalan Special Forces brigade of the Hungarian Armed Forces, the military said in a statement.
In the exercise, soldiers from Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia perform certain military tasks. In addition, the two sponsoring countries of Germany and the United States are participating, with Germany providing trainers and the US providing both trainers and soldiers.
A total of about 800 soldiers, more than 14 planes and helicopters, as well as US ships will participate in the exercise. In Hungary, in addition to the Hungarians, special operations soldiers of the US Navy and soldiers of the land forces, as well as special operation soldiers from Slovenia, are expected to perform tasks in several parts of the country.
Hungarian combat divers deployed to Croatia
The exercise is being held in the three countries of Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia. The synchronization and management of the exercises will be the task of the Hungarian command, said Major General Tamás Sándor, who serves as the special operations observer of the Hungarian Army Command. He announced that a group of Hungarian combat divers is traveling to Croatia to support special operations there.
This will also be the first time river boats of the U.S. Navy’s Naval Special Warfare unit will be seen in Hungary. Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOC-R) is designed so that the boat, including its tractor and trailer, fits aboard C-130 or larger aircraft.
Title image: River patrol boats of the U.S. Navy and the Hungarian Armed forces. (honvedelem.hu)
