Training Command – Military Academy

One of the main tasks of the Institute of Traffic Education of the ACR Vyškov (ITE) is to train drivers of safeguarding as well as combat vehicles which is not an easy task due to the modernization and rearmament of the ACR. New combat vehicles such as Dingo 2 CZ A2, Iveco 4x4 LMV and Pandur II 8x8 have been bought since 2008. Due to this fact there has been a significant growth in requirements concerning the drivers` training which the ITE tries to meet as much as possible.

Drivers Trained in Afganistan

Our drivers in Afganistan drive, among others, Dingo and Iveco vehicles. According to experience of the commanders of the 4th and 5th PRT Logar Contingents the drivers` training will be carried out in a way that all the drivers will be trained for both types of vehicles. The ITE was asked to organize and carry out this training in Afganistan. This challenge offers a briliant opportunity to gain new experience in real conditions based on the FOB Shank Logar. At this base 18 Dingo Drivers and 12 Iveco drivers were trained by the Institute in March 2010. Experience gained outside Vyškov training area is very valuable and we try to use it for an incoming ACR drivers` training. The training at the base in Afganistan differs from the training in Vyškov in many respects. For instance there is no comfortable classroom, but a tent for teaching theoretical issues and the training is held also in the evening as the working hours are longer than 4 p.m.

Moreover, the training depended on the duties of the personnel so it was often carried out after the dinner. It was over 30°C during the most of the training. It was nice to stay in an air-conditioned tent, but a vehicle-construction training taking place in a provisional hardstand in the open was demanding and one had to use high sunscreen. The medical staff kept reminding us of drinking a lot of liquids. Although such heat waves are common in the Czech Republic, the sun is not so strong because the CR is situated around 2000 m bellow the sea level.

Another difference was a vehicle driving practice which took place on the roads within the base. The only drawback was a speed limit which was 8km/h. The base provided limited space, steep grade or lateral inclination as well as heavy traffic including vehicles of different sizes and types. During our training we encountered four-wheelers, some loaders, fork lifts, various combat vehicles and even trucks providing a construction of the military airport. There was dust everywhere which impeded visibility at a few-meter distance. Crossroads are very interesting because they are indicated by the stop sign from each direction. Pedestrians have always the pass and other drivers gave way to the combat vehicles. It can be said that the passage through the crossroads is sorted out by gestures.

A precision driving on uneven surface among the traffic cones, which were set up at a curve, was a part of the training. Then a passage on a wooden board followed and was carried out on both sides of the vehicle which was rather difficult. While executing these tasks, all drivers were aware of a size of their vehicles and used their competitive spirit. The precision driving took place in narrow gateways where there was space of only 3 cm from each rear view mirror. The drivers were so confident that the locals admired them. It is true that the rear view mirror was often shifted at the beginning of the training, but in the end everyone managed to pass smoothly.

Night driving was out of question because of a so-called “lighting discipline” which had to be observed. For instance, it was considered a serious offence to leave the door to lit barracks open for longer time than necessary. Or during the transfer to a mess hall, you were allowed to use only a small torch, preferably a red-glare one.

All the graduates passed their final exam which tested their knowledge of construction, maintenance and driving of vehicles.

On behalf of the ITE I would like to wish all the drivers to drive without any accidents and carry out successfully their tasks in Afganistan. I thank the 5th Contingent PRT Logar Command and Logistics for their support, equipment and excellent approach to the organization of the training.

Text and Photo: WO2 Miroslav Brožovič, ITE