Russian Information Agency Novosti
July 15, 2013
19 Hospitalized in US-Ukraine Army Exercise – Ministry
KIEV: Nineteen servicemen from different foreign armies participating in a Ukrainian-US exercise have been hospitalized with non-life-threatening problems, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on Monday.
About 1,300 troops from 19 countries, including host nation Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey and the US are participating in Exercise Rapid Trident 2013 which started last Monday.
The soldiers’ medical problems are related to “adaptation to the local climate, general respiratory disease, and slight foot and ligament injuries,” the ministry said in a statement, denying media reports that the servicemen suffered from food poisoning.
All of them will soon be discharged from hospital, the ministry said.
Rapid Trident is a US Army in Europe-led, US European Command Joint Training and Exercise Program designed to “enhance interoperability between forces and promote regional stability and security,” according to the US Army.
The exercise includes a week-long field-training maneuver in which a multinational force conducts operations against a simulated enemy. This year’s exercise is the 11th iteration of Rapid Trident, which was previously conducted under the name Peace Shield from 1998 to 2002.
US units participating in the exercise include an airborne-infantry company from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Observer Coach Trainers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 21st Theater Support Command, US Army Europe and the California Army National Guard.
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United States Army
July 8, 2013
Exercise Rapid Trident 2013 opens in Ukraine
By U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs
YAVORIV, Ukraine: Land forces from 17 nations began two weeks of collective training in a ceremony at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center here, today, to mark the official start of Exercise Rapid Trident 2013.
Rapid Trident is a U.S. Army Europe led, U.S. European Command Joint Training and Exercise Program designed to enhance interoperability between forces and promote regional stability and security.
“Over the last several months Ukraine has set the highest of standards, and supported by dedicated planners from our partner countries, has set the conditions for excellent training,” said Col. Alfred Renzi, exercise co-director, during his remarks at the opening ceremony.
Approximately 1,300 troops from 17 countries, including host Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. will participate in this year’s exercise.
The exercise is focused around a week-long field-training exercise, or FTX, during which the multinational force will conduct operations against a simulated enemy. In preparation for the FTX, units will undergo one week of situational training exercises that focus on key tasks such as countering improvised-explosive devices, convoy operations and patrolling.
This year’s exercise is the 11th iteration of Rapid Trident, which was previously conducted under the name “Peace Shield,” from 1998 to 2002.
U.S. units participating in the exercise include an airborne-infantry company from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Observer Coach Trainers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 21st Theater Support Command, U.S. Army Europe and the California Army National Guard.
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