General Major, Berndt Grundevik, is one of many high ranking officers and civilian dignitaries that have arrived in Enköping to lead the exercise.
-This exercise gives the opportunity to train all levels of command and control together which is very important to build trust and confidence between different types of personnel and organizations. In a real mission, a well functioning cooperation between military and civilian organizations is often required in order to solve a humanitarian or peacekeeping task, says Berndt Grundevik.
Staff Sergeant, Vladimir Tofilovski, from the Republic of Macedonia has just arrived at the training centre.
- I very much look forward to the exercise. My biggest expectation is to learn how extensive cooperation between military and civilian organizations works. We have a similar event in my country, an exercise of this kind. I think it is important to focus on this type of civilian-military cooperation, says Vladimir Tofilovski.
Switzerland has about fourteen participants in the exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Marchetti of the Swiss Army believes that this kind of multi cooperation is important to develop.
- I expect to work in a multinational cooperation between military and civilian organizations. I also expect to learn, and understand this type of work procedures. The VIKING scenario is a really good preparation for a real mission. The cooperation between different organizations during a mission are very similar, says Andrea Marchetti.
Ten demanding days of challenging training lies now ahead for the participants of the VIKING exercise.
Continue to follow the exercise here on the dedicated VIKING site.