Rapid Trident 2008 exercise starts in Ukraine
Web-portal of Ukrainian Government
http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article?art_id=155461674&cat_id=32598
01.09.2008
Ukrainian - US command-and-staff exercises with participation of other countries' and Rapid Trident 2008 troops have started on the basis of the international center of peacekeeping and security on the Yavoriv training range in Lviv region (West Ukraine).
Representatives of 18 countries' armed forces will take part in the exercises, the Ukrainian defense ministry press service told.
The purpose of the exercises is to prepare national headquarters and units for joint actions among multinational forces in peacekeeping operations and in holding self-assessment of the first level of units of Ukraine's Land Force, declared at the joint fund of operation forces and opportunities.
Brigadier General Scott Johnson, US co-organizer of the effort, told the opening ceremony that this is one more weighty move towards establishment of friendly relations, and an occasion for exchange of experience.
The maneuvers will last until September 13, involving over 930 military from Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Belarus, Georgia, Italy, Jordan, Canada, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Romania and Sweden.
Location(s)
Ukraine