Synopsis
Mountainous terrain is often difficult to access. But it can also be where critical infrastructures such as pylons, pipelines and tunnels are found. Being able to access and protect that infrastructure could be vital in a wartime scenario.
The NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence in Slovenia runs a course to train infantry soldiers from around the Alliance to become mountain warfare specialists by taking them into the Slovenian mountains and teaching them techniques to deal with the tough terrains and conditions.
The NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (NATO MW COE) is a NATO-accredited international military institution that offers recognised expertise and experience for the benefit of the Alliance and its member nations. Centres of Excellence are nationally or multinationally funded. They are not directly funded by NATO, nor are they part of the NATO Command Structure.
Transcript
TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO AND TEXT ON SCREEN)
--SOUNDBITE (ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Colonel Ruggero Cucchini - Deputy Director, NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence
“We often say that, in the mountain environment, we fight the enemy, but we
also fight the environment around us.”
--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Captain Alistair Turner - 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army
“Areas that we consider no-go can become good-to-go for specialists and we can use those areas to our advantage, to exploit the enemy.”
--SOUNDBITE (ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Captain Francesca Quattrin, 8th Alpine Regiment, Italian Army
“If soldiers can fight in the mountains, then they can deal with any habitat.”
TEXT
PEAK PERFORMANCE
NATO’S MOUNTAIN
WARFARE SPECIALISTS
--SOUNDBITE (ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Colonel Ruggero Cucchini - Deputy Director, NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence
“Twenty-five per cent of the world’s land mass is mountainous. In the mountains are critical infrastructure and critical resources such as water, dams, power lines, pipelines, roads, highways and tunnels, all criss-crossing the mountains and connecting them. Whoever controls this critical infrastructure has a decisive advantage over the enemy.”
TEXT
At a NATO Centre of Excellence in Slovenia, infantry soldiers from all over the Alliance train to become mountain warfare specialists
--SOUNDBITE (SLOVENIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Lieutenant Colonel Miha Kuhar, Concept Development Branch Head, NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence
“One hundred years ago, one of the largest battles in the region involving more than 100,000 soldiers took place right here in Slovenia. Their experiences are of course crucial for us today, to avoid making the same mistakes. In other words, unless we keep history alive, we may be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. ”
--SOUNDBITE (ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Captain Francesca Quattrin, 8th Alpine Regiment, Italian Army
“In the mountains, you have to factor in how to make use of terrain cover and gradients, the physical effort of crossing terrain, and the impact of different altitudes on our bodies. That’s what makes fighting in the mountains difficult – you have to survive even before you come across the enemy. ”
--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Captain Alistair Turner - 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army
“I would normally plan for flatter and rolling hills. So the formations you can use, how dispersed, the routes, it changes everything. And seeing the ground that we would be expected to cover and the soldiers would cover is challenging.” it changes everything. And seeing the ground
TEXT
The training tests the soldiers in different terrains and teaches them techniques to deal with the tough mountain conditions
--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Captain Alistair Turner - 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
“I would find the environment very challenging without developing specialist and relevant mountain knowledge. That includes fixed-rope systems, and the ability to fight and survive in the mountains. ”
-- SOUNDBITE (ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBS)—
Colonel Ruggero Cucchini - Deputy Director, NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence
“Anyone who knows how to operate in this environment and turn it to their advantage can spring a surprise on the enemy, which is why it’s essential for NATO to build on its knowledge, understand mountainous terrain, and develop the capabilities for operating and fighting effectively in the mountains. ”
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