From May 22 to 26, 2021, six hundred American soldiers with 190 military vehicles will gradually cross the Czech Republic from Germany to Slovakia. The troops will go to Hungary for the Saber Guardian 2021 international exercise, which is part of the Alliance exercise NATO Defender Europe 2021.

Czech Army will provide logistical support to US troops. The passage of convoys will be coordinated in cooperation with the Police of the Czech Republic, the Military Police and the Road and Motorway Directorate so that the convoys do not restrict normal road traffic in any way. Convoy movements are planned in the late evening to early morning hours (from 7 pm to 6 am).

US troops will be divided into three convoys of three to four groups. There will be 10 to 20 wheeled vehicles in each group. In the Czech Republic each convoy will spend a maximum of 48 hours and will pass at daily intervals. Groups of vehicles will be hourly spaced to ensure road safety and minimal disruption to normal road traffic. US troops will also comply with all applicable regulations and restrictions issued in connection with the epidemiological situation in the Czech Republic. The soldiers will be tested before entering the Czech Republic, although most of them have already been vaccinated against covid-19.

The convoys will enter the Czech Republic via the Rozvadov border crossing and will leave it a day later in Břeclav. A tent city in the Rancířov garrison will be built in the Czech Republic for the purpose of sleeping. The same route is planned for the return of troops back to Germany from the exercise. It is scheduled for June 12-16.

Exercise Saber Guardian 2021 aims to test readiness and synergy between Alliance and partner armies and the United States Army. The exercise is attended by almost 13.5 thousand soldiers from 16 different countries. The Army of the Czech Republic participates in the exercise as a transit country providing logistical support. It will set up a tent camp for the passing units, provide refueling equipment and accompanying logistics and medical services. Part of the logistical support will be provided by the newly formed Deployable Forces Support Battalion from Rakovník.

The crossings of US troops through the Czech Republic to the NATO Defender Europe exercise have been held regularly since 2015. The exercise is intended to demonstrate the readiness, coherence and commitment of Alliance member states to ensure the security of the Euro-Atlantic area. Last year, the move did not take place due to the cancellation of the exercise itself.