Multimedia High resolution photos Event 7-30 Oct. 2007 Exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 2007

Tirana, Albania –Today, new contingents of soldiers who will be taking part in Exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 07 arrived in military transport aircraft at Rinas Air Force Base in Tirana, Albania. 

The new soldiers arrived in order to participate in the second phase of exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 07 to test their coordination, fluency, and effectiveness.  The exercise is a vital tool in developing and enhancing the ability of diverse international forces to work together effectively during NATO-led multinational peace support and crisis response operations.

“This is my first time in Albania and I’m looking forward to this opportunity to train with Albanian soldiers,” said Corporal Christoph Huber, one of the 20 soldiers who arrived in Albania from a Military School in Austria.  Both Corporal Hubert and Corporal Patrick Wagbesreither said that it was their first time in Albania and are both looking forward to the training and the warm weather.

The twenty Austrians were joined by twenty-two soldiers from Switzerland.  After leaving the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, they will join the many soldiers already in Albania who have been here since the beginning of October taking part in Exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 07.   

The aim of Exercise Cooperative Lancer 2007 is to train, exercise and promote the interoperability of Partnership for Peace, NATO and Mediterranean Dialogue forces using NATO standards set inside a Crisis Response Operation scenario through a LIVEX.  Some of the key tasks involve securing sensitive points and assuring a safe and secure environment with a focus on anti-terrorism operations to prevent the destabilization of a region.