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Russian missile officers shadow counterparts

Released: Jun 2, 1998

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFNS) -- For the first time ever, Russian Federation Missile and Space Force officers from the wing and squadron level as well as missile flight commanders and launch officers shadowed their American counterparts.

The Russian officers visited Warren May 26-28 to learn day-to-day operations at a U.S. missile base.

"The goal of the program is to build further cooperation between our nations," said Col. William Shelton, 90th Space Wing commander. "If we, General Khutortsev (Gen. Lt. Sergey Khutortsev, chief, directorate of combat training.) and I, can build trust one-to-one, we hope that will signal others to do the same."

The Russians also believe in the exchange program.

"I consider this program very important because the better we understand one another, the fewer problems we'll experience," said Khutortsev.

The Russian Federation of Missile and Space Forces visit is part of an overall effort begun in 1992 to establish military exchanges and contacts between U.S. forces and those of the Russian Federation and newly independent states.

Gen. Eugene E. Habiger, commander in chief, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., has visited Russia three times in the last year and a half, most recently with Secretary of Defense William Cohen. It was in his earlier visit in October 1997 that he and Commander-in-Chief, Russian Space and Missile Forces Gen. Col. Vladimir Yakovlev, agreed to the present exchange.

The Russian officers' visit began in Washington, D.C., May 30 and will conclude June 6 at Offutt with orientations and briefings on Strategic Command.