Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin | Flags wave as soldiers of 13 different countries form up for the opening ceremony of...... read more read more
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TAPA TRAINING BASE, Estonia – A wave of unity took place as Allied and partner nations from 13 different countries joined together for the opening ceremony of Saber Strike 16 at Tapa Training Base in Estonia, June 13, 2016.
Saber Strike 16 features allied and partner-nation ground forces conducting live-fire, command post, and cyber/electronic warfare training, plus the integration of U.S. close-air support with multinational ground forces.
Leading up to the exercise, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted a 2,200-kilometer tactical road march, called Dragoon Ride II. The march from Vilseck, Germany to Tapa, Estonia was a demonstration of NATO’s ability to move forces quickly across the Alliance.
“It’s a long way from Rose Barracks to Tapa, but you have made it,” said Estonian Army Brig. Gen. Artur Tiganik, the deputy commander of the Estonian Army. “Saber Strike is no longer simply three Baltic States and U.S. Army exercise in Europe,” he continued. “It is a regional training event with 13 allied and partner nations.”
Exercises like Saber Strike provide participating nations with tough realistic training that strengthens their ability to operate as a combined force, demonstrates the resolve and commitment of the Alliance and partner nations, and presents a credible deterrent.
In his welcome remarks, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Kramer, deputy commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, and the deputy exercise director, stressed the importance of a strong Alliance military capability by reminding everyone what Ronald Reagan once said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”
“Saber Strike does exactly that,” said Kramer. “They show strength through resolve, determination and sharing of the common desire to control the sovereignty and destiny of one’s own nation.”
Saber Strike is a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise designed to prepare the 13 participating nations to support multinational contingency operations. The exercise - taking place from May 27-June 22 in multiple locations throughout Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - serves as an effective proving ground for units to validate their ability to assemble rapid-reaction forces and deploy them on short notice where needed.
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2016 14:18 |
| Story ID: | 200908 |
| Location: | TAPA, EE |
| Web Views: | 354 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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