173rd Airborne arrives in Georgia for Exercise Noble Partner

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Cole | Paratroopers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade are welcomed here May 8, by Georgian soldiers during a small ceremony held for their arrival. The paratroopers arrived from Grafenwoehr, Germany, and are here to train alongside Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and the Georgian Land Forces in Exercise Noble Partner 15. Noble Partner is a Georgian and U.S. military training exercise taking place at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, May 11 - 25. This exercise is a critical part of Georgia’s training for their contribution of a light infantry company to the NATO Response Force. While Georgia is not a member of NATO, it and other NATO partners voluntarily contribute to the NRF. Exercise Noble Partner provides an opportunity to continue the U.S. training relationship with the Georgian Armed Forces as the sponsor of Georgia’s participation in the NRF. (Photo by Sgt. Daniel Cole, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs)  

TBILISI, GEORGIA

05.08.2015

Story by Sgt. A.M. LaVey 

173rd Airborne Brigade

TBILISI, Georgia - Approximately 50 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived at Joint Aviation Base Tbilisi May 8, 2015, at the start of Exercise Noble Partner.

Noble Partner is a U.S. Army Europe training exercise in support of the Republic of Georgia’s contribution of a light infantry company to the NATO Response Force and will focus on unified land operation based on NATO standard operating procedures.

“This is a unique training opportunity for the 173rd,” said Capt. John Patten, commander, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. “This unequaled event will allow for a mutual increase of our skills.“

The two-week exercise is scheduled to include a combined parachute operation, classroom training, a field training exercise and a live-fire exercise.

While this is the first time that the 173rd has trained in Georgia, with Georgian forces, the two formations have served together before.

“We built a great relationship with the Georgian armed forces in Afghanistan,” said Patten. “We are excited to be here in Georgia for Noble Partner and strengthen this bond.”

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of rapidly deploying forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities.

• Date Taken: 05.08.2015
• Date Posted: 05.08.2015 12:40
• Story ID: 162686
• Location: TBILISI, GE