British commander says he is ready to follow Kazakhstani soldiers into battle blindfolded

    The active phase of the Steppe Eagle-2013 tactical peacemaking training was held at Ili Training Site in Almaty Oblast in late August, Tengrinews.kz reports.
    Kazakhstan's Kazbat battalion showed as well organized operation of its command staff during the peacemaking operations. The soldiers practiced missions in urban areas: they had to patrol an area, repulse an attack while on patrol and apprehend suspicious persons. The active phase of the drill also included installation and operation of mobile roadblocks.
    During the drill, NATO experts evaluated the preparedness of the Kazakhstani peacemaking division for interaction with NATO armed forces. The Kazbat peacemaking battalion received Level One in the Operative Potential Concept program.
    The drills were included over 300 vehicles and around 1,500 Kazakhstan soldiers.
    The training was held jointly with servicemen from the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
    Observers from Spain, Germany and Belarus observed the drills.
    According to the official from of the Norwegian armed forces, Mo Mortan, UN experts also checked on operation of Kazakhstan’s headquarters, personnel’s field operations, language and military skills of the soldiers.
    The official results will be announced after the analysis.
    British Army Battalion Chief, Dino Bose said the drills were held at a high level of professionalism and Kazakhstan’s army has huge potential.
    “Prior to the drills I asked my subordinates: would you like Kazakhstani soldiers to stand hand-in-hand with you during the operations? The answer was: of course. If needed, I myself will be happy to take part in the peacemaking operations with the Kazakhstani battalion. And yes, I’d follow Kazakhstan soldiers into combat blindfolded,” Bose said.
    “During the drills we tried to create a fully-realistic tactical terrain and atmosphere for the UN peacemaking operation so the Kazbat divisions could practice their skills. These skills will help the personnel successfully communicate and cooperate with the local public in the mission area. I was quite surprised with the high combat readiness of the Kazbat personnel. I am confident the drills are very useful for our countries,” Colonel of the bU.S. Ground Forces Central Command Kreis Delarosa said.
    According to Commander of the Kazakhstan peacemaking troops Sheikh-Khossan Zhassykbayev, the drills’ goal was achieved.
    Kazakhstan’s peacemaking battalion proved its ability to interact with divisions from other countries. “Kazakhstan peacemaking battalion could go to any country, any part of the world and act jointly with the armed forces of any state,” the commander said.