Romania participates with 2,300 soldiers and 220 technical means in a multinational exercise organized, in May, by the Command of the US Land Forces in Europe and Africa. SWIFT RESPONSE 24 involves the recovery of an occupied military base, being one of the largest airborne operations in Europe since the Second World War, informs News.ro.
Airborne operationPhoto: APFootage / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia
The representatives of the Ministry of National Defense announced, on Tuesday, through a press release, that 5,000 soldiers and 320 technical means, from seven allied and partner states, will participate, between May 5-24, in the multinational exercise SWIFT RESPONSE 24/ DEFENDER 24 of the US Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF). Romania participates in this exercise with 2,300 soldiers and 220 technical means.
“SWIFT RESPONSE 24 is an exercise specific to airborne missions, the scenario of which involves the recovery of an occupied military base, by achieving air superiority, parachuting an allied force and executing real firings in the range. On the territory of Romania, the exercise is conducted by the German Armed Forces in partnership with the Romanian Ground Forces, with the support of the Romanian Air Force”, stated the MApN representatives.
They added that during the exercise, one of the largest airborne operations in Europe since the Second World War will take place, involving approximately 2,000 paratroopers from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the United States United States of America and the Netherlands.
Exercise in several air bases
“The main sequences of the exercise will take place in the 71st General Emanoil Ionescu Air Base in Câmpia Turzii, the Bogata range in Turda, the National Combat Training Center in Cincu and the range in Ştiuca commune. Also, the facilities of the 90th Air Transport Base Airman Commander Gheorghe Bănciulescu from Otopeni, the Aurel Vlaicu Aeronautical Staff Training and Training Air Base from Boboc and the Banat Airport from Caransebeş will be used”, the quoted source mentioned.
MApN also stated that soldiers and columns of combat equipment, accompanied by military police crews, will move, starting Tuesday, on roads in our country to the training facilities above.
SWIFT RESPONSE 24 is led by the United States Army V Corps and involves joint air operations to increase readiness and interoperability with allied forces, contributing to NATO’s deterrence efforts. The exercise involves approximately 3,650 US troops and 9,500 from allied and partner states, and is scheduled to begin with air and landing operations.
This year, SWIFT RESPONSE is connected with the national exercises QUADRIGA SOUTH from Germany, DACIA 24 from Romania and SPRING STRIKE from Sweden.
The exercise takes place between March 28 and May 31, includes more than 40,000 soldiers from 20 allied and partner countries and is the largest exercise of the American army in Europe. It aims to develop training in an allied format and strengthen the defense capacity of the Alliance, being connected with NATO’s STEADFAST DEFENDER 24 exercise.
