173rd Airborne arrives in Georgia for Exercise Noble Partner

TBILISI, Georgia - Approximately 50 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived at Joint Aviation Base Tbilisi May 8, 2015, at the start of Exercise Noble Partner.

Noble Partner is a U.S. Army Europe training exercise in support of the Republic of Georgia's contribution of a light infantry company to the NATO Response Force and will focus on unified land operation based on NATO standard operating procedures.

"This is a unique training opportunity for the 173rd," said Capt. John Patten, commander, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. "This unequaled event will allow for a mutual increase of our skills."

The two-week exercise is scheduled to include a combined parachute operation, classroom training, a field training exercise and a live-fire exercise.

While this is the first time that the 173rd has trained in Georgia, with Georgian forces, the two formations have served together before.

"We built a great relationship with the Georgian armed forces in Afghanistan," said Patten. "We are excited to be here in Georgia for Noble Partner and strengthen this bond."

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of rapidly deploying forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities.