Paratroopers depart Papa Air Base

PAPA AIR BASE, Hungary - Eight C-130 Hercules bearing 449 paratroopers departed Papa Air Base to conduct airborne operations into Bezmer, Bulgaria, July 18.

Swift Response, the U.S.- led airborne exercise, will include two airfield seizures, an air assault operation and air movement of a platoon of Strykers from 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

The paratroopers are airborne personnel from Canada, Hungary, Italy, and 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Notable guests Gen. Tibor Benko, Chief of Defense of Hungary; David Kostelancik, charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary; Gen. Ben Hodges, commander, U.S. Army Europe, visited Papa Air Base for the occasion.

In a conference with local media on the airfield, the three guests spoke on the participation of NATO Allies, the nature of the training and the overall activity of the exercises.

"This exercise is a manifestation of the decision of 28 nations of NATO last year, at the Warsaw Summit, to transition from assurance to deterrence," said Hodges. "In order to deter aggression, you have to have capability, you have to demonstrate that capability, you have to practice and that's what this exercise is about."

The numerous exercises in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania will involve approximately 45,000 personnel, Hodges noted.

All of the military exercises to occur will contain military operations that may be required of the Alliance or a military commander, Hodges explained.

The exercises have featured and may still yet include long movement of military personnel and equipment, logistical operations and airborne operations. The exercises will incorporate missile defense, casualty evacuation, and communications between nations into the training exercises.

"Dynamic challenges demand dynamic training environments," remarked Kostelancik. "I commend our Hungarian hosts and all of the participants today for this realistic and relevant training that enables all of us to respond more effectively and rapidly to regional crises and meet the security needs of our Alliance."

As a result of the exercises, the U.S. and Hungarian relationship is deeper and the NATO Alliance is stronger, he said.

At approximately 1600hrs, the departure of the C-130s began as the aircraft initiated movement onto the runway. With all aircraft filed into a line, the planes quickly departed Papa and began their journey to Bezmer, Bulgaria.