BATUMI, Georgia -- Exercise Noble Partner 16 is a Georgian and U.S. military training exercise taking place at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, May 11-26, 2016.
This exercise is a critical part of Georgia's training for its contribution of a light infantry company to the NATO Response Force (NRF) and enhances Georgian territorial self-defense capability.
While Georgia is not a member of NATO, it and other NATO partners voluntarily contribute to the NRF. Exercise Noble Partner provides an opportunity for the United States to continue its training relationship with the Georgian armed forces as the sponsor of Georgia's participation in the NRF. The NRF provides a rapid military response force to deploy quickly, wherever needed. In addition to its operational role, the NRF uses opportunities like Exercise Noble Partner to increase cooperation, education and training of all participants.
Exercise Noble Partner includes approximately 500 Georgian, 150 United Kingdom and 650 U.S. service members who are incorporating a full range of equipment, including U.S. M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, M119 Light Towed Howitzers and several wheeled support vehicles. Alongside U.S. forces, Georgian forces will operate their T-72 Main Battle Tanks, BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles and several wheeled-support vehicles.
Participating U.S. forces are members of U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), elements of the U.S.-based Regionally Allocated Force (1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division) contribution to NATO Response Force 2016 and the Georgia State Army and Air National Guard. In addition, participation includes three C-130 "Hercules" aircraft from the 165 Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, Garden City, Ga. Exercise Noble Partner will consist of a Situational Training Exercise, a Field Training exercise and a Live Fire exercise.
Noble Partner emphasizes USAREUR's abilities to quickly move soldiers and equipment throughout Europe and operate together within a coalition in any potential future operation. Because of the unique forward location of U.S. Army Europe, over time we have built many such strong relationships, including this relationship with our Georgian partners.
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About Us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51-country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships built during the more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events, held in more than 40 countries each year, lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
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