BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Four subject matter experts from Allied Joint Force Command Naples attended a planning workshop in support of Regional Exercise 16 (REGEX 16), May 23 - 27, 2016. 

A REGEX is a NATO-supported opportunity for partner countries to plan an exercise from the beginning to the end, according to their training requirements.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) took lead for REGEX 16 with a peace support operation scenario, marking the first time a REGEX will hosted by a partner country.

Thirty-eight participants from 13 partner nations, the European Union Force (EUFOR) and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo attended the 5th regional collective training event planning workshop. The partner nations included: Azerbaijan, BiH, Georgia, Jordan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Serbia, *the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia and Ukraine.  

This 5th workshop finalized the REGEX 16 planning process, conducted a site survey with all participants at the Manjaca Training Area, and coordinated with BiH Armed Forces 6th Infantry Brigade officials for the live exercise portion. Additionally, the workshop held a full day of "lessons learned” syndicates led by Joint Staff Armed Forces BiH and mentored by the JFC Naples subject matter experts.   

JFC Naples is planning to conduct two more workshops and an execution phase in 2016. The initiative supports NATO objectives and builds trust and understanding for a better cooperation in the region and promotes increasing interoperability within NATO.

Story by Turkish Major Emrah Cekli, JFC Naples J9 Division
Photos by Armed Forces Bosnia and Herzegovina

*Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name