French soldiers arrived to Sarajevo International Airport and were welcomed by COM EUFOR Major General László Sticz and Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo Anja Margetić.
The battalion-size French unit – with Italian and Romanian platoons in addition – make up the Strategic Reserve Force of EUFOR, and will patrol across BiH and train with EUFOR in-theater forces and elements of Armed Forces BiH to increase cooperation and interoperability between EUFOR and AFBiH. This will also further strengthen the support of EUFOR to local authorities in maintaining the safe and secure environment for all the people of BiH.
The deployment of the Strategic Reserve Force of EUFOR is called "Exercise Meleager", after the son of Althea, aiming to symbolize the strong ties between EUFOR Operation Althea in-theatre and reserve forces.