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USAFE joins NATO, partner nations in Exercise Cooperative Key

USAFE News

Release Date: 9/04/2003

By 1st lt. Phillip Ulmer 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (USAFENS) - More than 70 airmen from U. S. Air Forces in Europe bases arrived here Sept. 1 to join military personnel from eight NATO nations, six invitee partner nations and six partner nations in Exercise Cooperative Key 2003.

According to officials here, the goal of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability of NATO and partner nation air forces through cooperation and familiarization of NATO procedures.

"This exercise, hosted by Bulgaria, is a great opportunity for us to practice peace support operations in a combined scenario," said Lt. Col. Ben McMullen, Air Expeditionary Group commander. McMullen is deployed from the 86th Contingency Response Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"Everyone involved, at all levels of rank and specialties, will have the opportunity to work with their counterparts from other nations, to further strengthen our NATO capabilities," he said. "What is learned here will be invaluable to the common goal of peace as we deal with the uncertainty of today's world."

The exercise primarily takes place at two air bases in the central region of Bulgaria, Graf Ignatievo and Krumovo. The scenario, involving approximately 1,700 military members and more than 70 aircraft, focuses on an ongoing mandated NATO peace support operation. Two fictional former warring factions are in an unstable peace. A NATO led peace support operation with partner nation participation, is in place to enforce the peace and provide humanitarian assistance.

The operations will exercise the participating countries' ability to execute command and control, personnel airdrops, land operations, close air support, aeromedical evacuation, air defense and search and rescue.

"This type of operation is exactly what the 86th Contingency Response Group was designed for," said Capt. Chris Miller, 86th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Tanker Airlift Control Element commander.

The group, established in February 1999, maintains a standing multifunctional air mobility operations, force protection and medical team dedicated to rapidly unfolding contingencies and the deployment of initial forces.

"As the aerial port arm of the group, we're responsible for the efficient handling and movement of all passengers and cargo for the exercise," he said.

However, Miller was quick to point out that it takes everyone involved to get the job done and cooperation is the key of this exercise.

"Anytime you bring this many different people from so many different countries together for a single mission you're going to face challenges," Miller said. "But everyone is working together to make sure the mission gets done safely."

"This can be considered as one more step forward in improving the interoperability of the Bulgarian armed forces with their NATO partners," added Lt. Gen. Dimitar Georgiev, chief of Bulgarian Air Force Headquarters.

Live exercises are essential to NATO and partner nations' forces as they provide the environment for troops to practice NATO procedures, improve their capabilities by training in a different environment and amplify the existing level of interoperability.

"These types of exercises are an important cornerstone to our 'train like we fight' mentality," said McMullen. "They provide an excellent realistic training environment with our NATO allies to build the cohesiveness we'll need to face the challenges ahead."

The exercise is scheduled to conclude Sept. 13.