Completed the most demanding phase of the ‚‚Common challenge 26” exercise

Three days of continuous engagement in rain, storms, strong winds, and rugged mountain terrain are the best indicators of the level of readiness we aim to achieve and maintain, said the Chief of the General Staff of the Montenegro Army, Brigadier General Miodrag Vuksanović, on the occasion of the completion of the main part of the international military exercise ‚‚Common Challenge 26”. During the three-day offensive operation, members of the Montenegro Army, together with members of the armed forces of allied and partner countries, continuously operated in the field and performed complex tasks under extremely demanding conditions. With minimal rest, soldiers carried combat gear weighing about 40 kilograms, overcoming challenging routes and executing tasks outlined in the exercise scenario. A particular challenge was mastering steep rocks and cliffs, where participants performed climbing activities using alpinist techniques while fully equipped for combat. Direct monitoring of activities on the ground assessed the execution of tasks, application of procedures, level of training, interoperability, and the units’ ability to operate in a multinational environment. ‚‚Common Challenge 26” is the largest international exercise held in Montenegro, bringing together over 500 members of the Montenegro Army, the National Guard of the U.S. state of Maine, and the armed forces of Spain, Austria, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.