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

Tirana, Albania – From October 14-21, representatives from Russia, The United Arab Emirates and Japan, were visiting and observing Exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 2007 currently taking place in Tirana, Albania as part of a comprehensive observer program.

The purpose of the observer program is to enhance the interoperability of the Armed Forces of NATO, Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and Contact Country Representatives (Afghanistan, Argentina, Japan) so that they will be able to act side-by-side with NATO nations during Peace Support and/or Crisis Response Operations.

“During the seven day program our goal was to expose the participants to as many components of the exercise as possible,” said Lieutenant Colonel Heinrich Becker, a staff officer from Heidelberg who is in charge of the Observer Program. “By exposing participants to the exercise we can provide them with a clear look into NATO standards and operating procedures.”

“I am very impressed by the work that has been done by Albania towards this very important exercise,” said Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Blinkov, one of the Russian observers taking part in the program.  “Russia has been participating in the Partnership for Peace program since 1994 and such observer opportunities create deeper understanding and interoperability between NATO and Russia.”

The program was designed to give maximum access to all the observers.  Running from the 14-21 October it overlapped Exercises Longbow and Lancer allowing participants to view both components of the exercise.

“I am very happy to be part of the exercise as an observer,” said Captain Navy Toshihiro Nakamura, from Japan.  “The program has been very interesting and very well put together. Taking part in the program is an opportunity to cooperate with NATO and Partnership for Peace counties.”

Representatives were incorporated into every part of the exercise.  Part of the program even includes a cultural tour of Skanderbeg castle and museum in Kruje, Skanderbeg grave in Lezha and the Rozafa castle and lake in Shkodra.