The US Army Europe (USAREUR) and the Bulgarian Land Forces have officially ended the multinational military exercise Saber Guardian 2014, following a week of scenario-driven, computer-based operations.
Held at the Novo Selo training area in eastern Bulgaria, it involved 700 soldiers from 12 countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Turkey and the US, as well as representatives from Nato.
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The command-post exercise was aimed at preparing commanders and staffs to operate in a foreign humanitarian-assistance environment.
A multinational brigade comprising personnel from 173rd infantry brigade combat team, 21st theater sustainment command, army national guard, 26th marine expeditionary unit and USAREUR’s rapid-deploying contingency command post served as higher elements.
The 7th civil support command provided the interface for consequence management between host-nation authorities and other US organisations.
Bulgarian Land Forces deputy commander brigadier general Krasimir Kanev said that the exercise was designed to enhance interoperability, mutual trust and understanding among the armed forces of the participating nations.
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By GlobalData"By providing a collaborative workspace for our joint and multinational partners, this exercise allows them to effectively communicate in support of the overall operation," Kanev said.
"The concurrent execution of two separate missions, humanitarian and peace support, being implemented with close cooperation between two separate units makes this a very unique exercise."
Held annually, Saber Guardian seeks to strengthen international agency and military partnering, while enhancing interoperability between Nato and partner nations involved in foreign humanitarian-assistance operations with US forces.
Image: The participants of the Saber Guardian 2014 multinational brigade. Photo: courtesy of Sgt Brooks Fletcher, US Army Europe.
