Handover of MILES system in Jug base

Defense Minister Nebojsa Rodic at the Jug base near Bujanovac attended the ceremonial handover of the integrated laser system for training through live simulations "MILES" , purchased with the help of the "Global Peace Operations Initiative" (GPOI ), with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States .

The equipment is installed and will be primarily used for training units for multinational operations. Some members to be deployed in these peaceops have undergone extensive training to operate the new system that through real life simulation of wartime conditions, enables effective practicing of SAF declared units. This is also the most accurate system for monitoring the achieved level of training units.

Theoretical and practical presentation of "MILES" system was attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Michael Kirby , CHOD of SAF General Ljubisa Dikovic , commander of the Ohio National Guard Major General Deborah Ashenhurst, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Aleksandar Zivkovic as well as high ranking representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Armed forces of the United States.

Speaking about the new layout of the Serbian Army , after a practical view , the defense minister Nebojsa Rodic said that he was sure that the system that has just been implemented would provide a significant contribution to raising the operational capacity of the Serbian Army .

- This multi-integrated system will enable substantial savings while at the same time providing excellent conditions for training of our members. What we see today is a completion of the project , which began in 2011 with the funding support of the civil structures of the United States , through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Pentagon. The result is procuring this system "MILES"  .

Thanking the reps of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States , the commander of the Ohio National Guard Deborah Ashenhurst , as well as representatives of the EUCOM to help implement the new equipment in the Army of Serbia , Minister Rodic said that the system embodies our strategy to have trained members of the multinational force participate in peacekeeping actions wherever necessary.

He remarked that the simulation was organized in Jug, where Serbia wil organize the military exercise "Platinum wolf 2014".

- It is important to emphasize that pursuant to the Memorandum signed on 16 August , the system was examined and passed customs clearance on 2 September only to be delivered to Jug seven days later. Today, just four days later the system is ready to be put into effect , said the Minister that this speedy work will be a modle for future activities..

U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Michael Kirby said that it was a great pleasure for the United States to be in a position to help Serbia “make progress".

- Your country is participating in multinational operations, choosing the path towards peace in the world, which was case with former Yugoslavia .

The guest highlighted the assistance that t the Ohio National Guard provides to SAF, led by Major General Deborah Ashenhurst , the professionalization and training for participation in peacekeeping missions .

The "MILES" system is worth 1,160,000 U.S. dollars, with elements which can  equip one company, or about 120 pieces of weapons - 84 automatic rifles , 8 machine guns, 9 snipers caliber 7.9 and 12.7 mm and 4 elements of vehicle equipment .

The six members of the Training Unit of Peacekeeping Operations , along with four colleagues from the same number of Army Brigade , were on a five-day training led by American instructors, who are representatives of “Cubic” , a manufacturer of sophisticated equipment .

The system MILES is intended to simulate the effect and impact of fire (direct and indirect) using a laser beam , through which the system simulates the firing of missiles showing their effect on the target. It is used when performing exercises on the ground and , when firing , giving a realistic picture of the situation. The main advantage is making savings in the use of resources as well as greater security of the participants at the exercise, because it does not use live ammunition , and the credibility of the exercises is large ( approximately '' conditions of war '').