Czech chemists from the 1st Task Force of the Czech Armed Forces bid farewell to their six-month deployment in Lithuania and their colleagues from foreign armies in a truly unconventional way. "We first wanted to call the run Czech Madness, but then we chose Czech Mudness, Czech Mudding," revealed the main organizer of the unusual run, Sgt. V.

An eight-kilometre obstacle course kicked off the Czech Week in Rukla, Lithuania, where members of the 1st Task Force of the Czech Armed Forces Multi-National Combat Battalion eFP Lithuania wanted to say goodbye to their colleagues. The Czechs took over the operational task here in mid-January this year and performed, among others, specialised tasks of radiation and chemical reconnaissance. For the first time ever, new radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles on Iveco chassis were deployed.

Picture: For the first time ever, new radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles on Iveco chassis were deployed. (illustration photo) | Michal Pivoňka / CZ DEFENCE

46 teams from the Czech, Croatian, German and Dutch teams took to the start line of the "muddy" race. The soldiers had to overcome a rather challenging route, through sand fields, various obstacles reminiscent of the popular in our country Spartan Race, Bastard or the military Iron Engineer.

"We were surprised by the speed with which practically all participants ran the route, especially the first Croatian team," shared the experience of Sgt. V. He was not the only one who appreciated their enthusiasm and the joy that many felt at the finish line.

Picture: "We first wanted to call the run Czech Madness, Czech madness, but then we chose Czech Mudness, Czech mudding," revealed the main organizer of the unusual run, Sgt. V. | cpl. J. V., w/o D. K.

The second event of the Czech Week was the shooting competition, which was organized by colleagues from the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). They have built a great reputation here, so that commanders of other armies sent only the best representatives. The competition was attended by 16 teams across all nations on the base – that is, Czechs, Germans, Belgians, Croatians, Luxembourgers, Dutch and Norwegians.

"We prepared mainly dynamic shooting challenges for them. And it proved to be a challenge for them. These items are not so common in foreign armies. But in the end, the shooters fought it out, everyone enjoyed the competition, which was our intention," commented Lieutenant Commander A. B. In addition to the joy of comparing shooting results, the competitors also tried out Czech weapons during the competition.

Picture: The best challenges for soldiers are team events | cpl. J. V., w/o D. K.

The Czech Army March, associated with the Armed Forces Day (30 June), was the final touch to the Czech Week. 336 soldiers from all coalition armies present at the base in Rukla set off on the 20-kilometre journey with a 20-kilogram load.

"There were those who ran for twenty kilometres with the load," revealed the spokesman of the task force, Captain Petr Šabaka, who revealed that the route was definitely not easy - there were places with deep dry sand and dust on the route. At the finish line, each participant received a commemorative medal.

Picture: The participants were really muddy | cpl. J. V., w/o D. K.

"This week we wanted to say goodbye to those with whom we formed one community here - one battalion of the NATO Forward Presence on the Eastern flank. We are taking with us not only new experiences, but also valuable contacts and new friends," said Major Vilém Čejka, Commander of the 1st Task Force of the Czech Armed Forces.

Picture: View of the podium of the mixed teams | cpl. J. V., w/o D. K.