Summer Survival

The Summer Survival 2009 has finally flown into its last competition day. The competing teams have to tackle with the last three events, which must be completed regardless of the fact that they had to get over the pitfalls of the highly strenuous two-day movement on foot, during which, in addition to almost non-stop running, the racers had to fulfill difficult tasks and spent, so to say, a sleepless night under extreme conditions.

In its conclusion, the competition moved to the area of the Dědice barracks to be continued in two separate sectors so that individual teams had no chance to either watch each other or slyly maneuver. During morning hours 9 teams had to surmount the JAKUB climbing trainer, whereas the remaining 9 teams were challenged by the NATO obstacle course. In the afternoon the racing teams swapped their places.

This competition day was also exceptional for the reason that more than 20 VIPs arrived in Dědice to see the Summer Survival 09 with their own eyes, including Mr. Michael Hrbata, member of the Czech Republic Parliament, Mr. Ivan Charvát, Mayor of Slavkov u Brna and other representatives of the state authorities. After being welcomed by COL (GS) Josef Kopecký, the TC-MA Chief of Staff, and listening to the introductory briefing given by MAJ Jiří Pevný, the Competition Director, all the distinguished guests together with journalists had the opportunity to see the competing teams in fighting these last three events. After seeing them in action, nobody could doubt that they met the elite military professionals. Especially the presence of one girl among the racers (in the team of Military Police) and her performance attracted high attention and evoked deep respect.

The competitors had to complete the following three final events:

JAKUB Climbing Trainer

The racers had to surmount the designated track as soon as possible, and in doing so, they had to hit the target with thrown grenades. Moreover, all of them had to wear a bullet-proof jacket, tactical vest and the Kevral helmet. Furthermore, each one was given the self-securing Ferat climbing set and two grenades. After the starting signal was announced, all team members had to climb on the JAKUB trainer to get over the designated track.

They had to climb up on the tubular ladder along the fixing rope, on which they traversed the artificial wall and then stepped on the floor inside, where three ropes were tightened across the trainer (one for each racer). On these ropes they had to get to the other side in an optional manner and climb again on the floors, from which they continued on the fixing rope to the rappelling rope. Then they rappelled either through the self-fixing technique or they were secured from the ground. Having rappelled, the racers ran to the finish line, which was on the same spot as the starting line.

Wheel Change

In addition to technical skills, this event needed much physical force and, as in any other event, good teamwork. As fast as possible the competitors had to replace a damaged wheel for the reserve one on a vehicle, and push it to an exactly designated point without the engine power.

NATO Obstacle Course

The team members were connected together with a rope and they jointly tried to overcome the NATO Obstacle Course in the shortest time.

Text: CAPT Monika Nováková, TC-MA Press and Information Officer (acting in charge).