U.S., Slovene Armies Conduct Largest Joint Training Exercise

Embassy Events http://slovenia.usembassy.gov

http://www.nyas.org/annals/detail.asp?annalID=1056

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Bradley Freden and Defense Attache LTC Jeff Vestal joined Minister Jelušič on February 6 in Hohenfels, Germany to observe the training. Upon completion of the training, the Slovene Light Battalion Battle Group (LBBG) will be ready to take part in the KFOR mission in Kosovo as part of a multinational force helping to bring peace, stability and democracy to the Balkans.

Defense Minister Ljubica Jelušič greeting Slovenian troops at the largest joint training exercise conducted to date by U.S. and Slovenian troops.

Demonstrating Slovenia’s dedication and commitment to supporting peacekeeping efforts throughout the world, the Slovene Light Battalion Battle Group (LBBG) is nearing completion of a rigorous course of training and readiness in cooperation with the U.S. Army in Hohenfels at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. The LBBG, consisting of 1,100 soldiers, represents one-eighth of Slovenia’s standing army and is the largest deployment the Slovenian Armed Forces have conducted outside of their borders.

Chargé d’Affaires Bradley Freden commented upon how deeply impressed the Americans were by Slovenian troops. “The Slovenian troops have shown exceptional professionalism and dedication to their craft. This joint exercise illustrates our two countries’ commitment to the common security and shared democratic values of the transatlantic Alliance,” Freden stated.

Training together with the U.S. Army, the battle group is undergoing rigorous and realistic training at a state of the art facility, equipped with extensive monitoring and instrumentation that provide valuable information and feedback to improve and enhance the units’ effectiveness. Since 2007, Slovenian troops have trained with U.S. and multinational troops in Germany to prepare for a variety of missions. Future joint training will continue to emphasize a professional and expeditionary mindset concentrating on Special Forces units, logistics, combat medicine, and other skill sets needed by Slovene forces currently engaged in NATO missions abroad.