| Exercising
peace operations
with partners in the Black Sea
Maritime and amphibious forces from eight NATO and partner countries are
practicing joint peace support operations in exercise Cooperative Partner
2003 near Odessa, Ukraine, and in the Black Sea from 20 June to 5 July.
Over 5,000 military personnel, 43 ships and 17 aircraft are taking part
in the annual event. This year’s scenario foresees delivering aid
to civilian populations and restoring law and order after earthquakes
and flooding. Local and international non-governmental and humanitarian
relief organisations are also taking part.
Cooperative Partner is specifically designed to test NATO’s ability
to fully integrate assigned multinational partner forces into joint
operations. The exercise will also allow participants to assess NATO
and partner countries mine hunting capabilities.
Forces from eight NATO nations: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain,
Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States of America, together with
forces from six partner nations: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia,
Romania and the Ukraine, and including NATO’s Standing Naval Force
Mediterranean, Mine Countermeasures Force South, and NATO Southern Region
Headquarters are participating in the exercise.
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