15 - 25 Sept. 2002

Military exercise in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo From 15 to 25 September, 3,300 troops are taking part in an annual rehearsal of NATO's ability to quickly reinforce its peacekeeping forces in the Balkans. The troops are part of NATO's Strategic Reserve Force for the Balkans and come from Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, the United States (all member countries), Romania (a partner country) and Argentina (which is neither a NATO member nor a partner country). The Strategic Reserve Force is a mobile and versatile multi-national force designed to reinforce NATO troops stationed in the Balkans in the event of a crisis or emergency. The annual exercise aims to familiarise units with the terrain and environment they would be deployed to, should the need arise. It is also meant to underline the commitment of NATO and the international community to peace and stability in the Balkans, officials from the NATO-led Kosovo peacekeeping force said. The units will arrive by air and land and will be integrated into the command structure of NATO's peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. For the duration of the exercise, they will perform regular peacekeeping duties along with troops already stationed in the area. Additional Information: SFOR website KFOR website