05.08.2025.
Water-obstacle crossing training
As part of their regular summer training cycle, reconnaissance units from the 3rd Army Brigade and Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion have conducted training in the Oblačina Lake area.
This phase of training is focused on strengthening the reconnaissance units’ ability to traverse water obstacles, utilizing both standard and improvised vessels.During the multi-day training exercise at the lake, personnel practiced operating assault boats and constructing improvised rafts using barrels and other available materials. At the same time, they executed a variety of tactical tasks, employing standard camouflage techniques and utilizing cutting-edge observation systems.
The training placed particular emphasis on newly recruited professional soldiers, who, under the guidance and supervision of their commanding officers, acquired essential skills in constructing and manoeuvring improvised rafts made from car tires, timber and barrels.Reconnaissance units also practiced operating standard vessels, crossing a water obstacle using a rope, and throwing knives. These activities were aimed at sharpening the skills required for secure and efficient access to the battlefield and effective execution of missions within the assigned area of responsibility (AOR).
Capt. 1st Class Saša Stefanović, a reconnaissance company commander, emphasized that training under challenging conditions allows reconnaissance soldiers to better understand their individual limits and capabilities, while reinforcing team spirit.
— The training is structured to incorporate the most modern assets – on par with those used by the world’s best-equipped armed forces. However, our battalion’s true strength does not lie in the equipment, but in its people. What sets our personnel apart is their character, along with exceptional physical and mental resilience. Through their dedication and the proper use of available equipment, they add a unique touch and consistently achieve mission success. A reconnaissance soldier isn’t the one who sees the most – but the one who sees first. That distinction can mean the difference between a missed opportunity and a successfully executed mission, Capt. 1st Class Saša Stefanović said.Reconnaissance units of the Serbian Armed Forces undergo training throughout the year, across various types of terrain and under all conditions in which their deployment may be required. This continuous training ensures a high level of operational readiness and competence in conducting intelligence-gathering tasks in support of forces engaged in operations.
