Public Information Adviser International Military Staff Press Release 011.98 6 August 1998

Exercise Cooperative Assembly 98 Forces from fourteen Allied and Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries and observers from another six will conduct a PfP (live/field) training exercise near Tirana, Albania, from 17-22 August 1998. This exercise, COOPERATIVE ASSEMBLY 98 (CA98), is designed to develop a common understanding of peace support operations, doctrine and training and to practise interoperability between participating nations' military forces. Air, maritime and land forces from fourteen countries will practise together various skills, to include search and rescue, close air support, medical evacuation, and air drop procedures as well as infantry peace support operations skills. This training will help refine and validate the procedures and requirements necessary for military forces from NATO and Partner nations to operate effectively together. Forces participating come from: Albania, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. COOPERATIVE ASSEMBLY 98 is under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH), Admiral T. Joseph Lopez. It is commanded and coordinated by Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (COMSTRIKFORSOUTH), Vice Admiral D. Murphy Jr. CA98 is held within the framework of the Partnership for Peace Programme launched at the NATO Summit in January 1994. This programme aims to further improve understanding and cooperation with the armed forces of Central and Eastern Europe and with several Central Asian and Caucasus nations and thus foster enhanced security relationships between NATO and its Partner nations. Note to the Editors: A Press Information Centre will be established in Tirana (date to be confirmed). Questions about details of the exercise can be addressed to AFSOUTH Public Information, Tel +39 81 721 2971/2437, Fax +39 81 721 2239, Email: afspip@interbusiness.it