Soldiers from 15 nations began two weeks of collective training, with a ceremony yesterday, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center here, to mark the official start of Rapid Trident 2014.
Rapid Trident is an annual U.S. Army Europe-conducted, Ukrainian-led multinational exercise designed to enhance interoperability with allied and partner nations while promoting regional stability and security.
“Over the past year, Ukraine has set the highest of standards,” said Col. Alfred Renzi, the U.S. co-director of the exercise, in remarks at the opening ceremony. “Over the next two weeks, in the spirit of friendship and partnership, 15 nations will work together in performing many tasks to improve our interoperability and to strengthen our mutual trust.”
Approximately 1,300 troops from 15 countries including, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, the U.S. and host Ukraine will participate in this year’s exercise.
The exercise will consist of a multinational field training exercise that will focus on peace support operations and interoperability between U.S. and NATO forces. In preparation for the exercise, units will undergo one week of situational training exercises that focus on key tasks such as countering improvised explosive devices, convoy operations, and patrolling.
U.S. units participating in the exercise include an airborne infantry company from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Observer Coach Trainers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 21st Theater Support Command, U.S. Army Europe and the California Army National Guard.
