Prague Castle Guard

The Prague Castle Guard[1][2] or simply the Castle Guard[2][3][4] (Czech: Hradní stráž) is a specific and autonomous unit of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic directly subordinate to the Military Office of the President of the Czech Republic. Its main task is to guard and defend the seat of the President of the Czech Republic at the Prague Castle.[5] During the period 1939 to 1945 its duties were performed by the 1st Battalion of the Government Army.[6]

Prague Castle Guard
Hradní stráž
Active1918
Country Czech Republic
AllegiancePresident of the Czech Republic
BranchMilitary Office of the President of the Czech Republic
TypeInfantry
RoleProtection of Presidential Seat/Ceremonial Duties
SizeBattalion
HeadquartersPrague
MarchK Deflié (On Parade)
Commanders
Current
commander		Radim Studený
A Prague Castle Guard on duty in summer uniform

Although its most visible activity comprises ceremonial duty within the Prague Castle, most of the unit's 650 soldiers are tasked with actual protection of compounds belonging to the Presidential Office, whereby they serve in standard uniforms armed with modern weaponry.

Since 2018, soldiers of the Prague Castle Guard are also being deployed in Afghanistan as part of Czech Army deployment in Resolute Support Mission. There they serve as Guardian Angels providing protection outside of allied military bases primarily to Czech Army helicopter instructors that are training Afghan National Army pilots.[7]

Armaments

As of April 2018, the Castle Guard consisted of 672 soldiers and 43 civilian employees. These were armed primarily with the following weaponry:

Other weapons include:

  • Vz. 52/57 Ceremonial Rifle
  • CZ 750 Sniper Rifle
  • RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher (to be replaced by a recoilless rifle in 2018)
  • Uk vz. 59 universal machine gun (to be replaced by a new machinegun in 2018)

Ceremonial duty
  • Summer uniform
  • Winter uniform
  • Winter uniform
  • Changing of the guard

Standard duty
  • Standard uniform

See also

References
  1. "Information about the accreditation of journalists for the events related to the Funeral Service for President Václav Havel". www.hrad.cz. Prague Castle. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  2. "Powder Tower with permanent Castle guard exhibition". www.hrad.cz. Prague Castle. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. "Castle Guard". www.hrad.cz. Prague Castle. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. "About the Castle Guard". www.hrad.army.cz. Castle Guard. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. "Mission". www.hrad.army.cz. Castle Guard. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  6. "History". hrad.army.cz. Army of the Czech Republic. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  7. http://www.hrad.army.cz/aktuality/navrat-z-afghanistanu-11-unora-2019


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