Bulgarian president, senior military leaders visit multinational exercise in Germany
HOHENFELS, Germany -- The President of the Republic of Bulgaria visited the Joint Multinational Readiness Center at Hohenfels Training Area to observe Bulgarian Special Forces training during exercise Saber Junction, Oct 19.
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander, U.S. Army Europe, hosted Bulgarian President Rosen Asenov Plevneliev, as he observed Bulgarian Special Forces in action and participated in a ceremony at which the Bulgarian Land Forces Commander, Maj. Gen. Stefen Vasilev, received the Legion of Merit Award.
"I am greatly satisfied with the conditions, organization and intensity of the training provided to the Soldies from this exercise," said Plevneliev.
Hertling shared similar sentiments.
"We see Bulgaria as a very strong and honorable partner to the United States of America," said Hertling. "Not only in combat in Afghanistan, but also the potential for Bulgarian and American forces together, helping to secure our countries and facing emerging threats that are growing not only on the European continent, but in the world."
Vasilev said he is satisfied with the excellent cooperation established between the Bulgarian Land Forces and U.S. Army Europe as it is a testament to the relationship that has been developed over the last decade and continues to strengthen.
"This is a great honor," Vasilev said. "I accept this as recognition of the dedication of all Bulgarian Land Forces personnel. We consider it as acknowledgment that Bulgaria is a reliable partner and ally in the fight against contemporary threats and protect global peace and security."
Plevneliev said that while we are getting more integrated, stronger, more effective and more successful, that only together can we face the challenges of the century ahead.
"Bulgaria is a small country, but Bulgarian people have the potential for greatness. Thank you for uncovering that potential," said Plevneliev.
Along with Plevneliev and Vasilev, also in attendance was the Bulgarian Minister of Defense Anyu Angelov, U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria Marci Ries, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Federal Republic of Germany Radi Naydenov and USAREUR Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. James Boozer.
U.S. Army Europe has presented Legion of Merit medals to deserving leaders across its area of responsibility to salute their dedication to creating bonds between the European countries and the United States that further multinational engagement, theater security cooperation, and force interoperability.
Saber Junction 2012, the U.S. Army Europe's premier training event, is a large-scale, joint, multinational, military exercise involving approximately 6,000 personnel from 19 nations and hundreds of military aircraft and vehicles. It is the largest exercise of its kind that U.S. Army Europe has conducted in more than 20 years.
Find more articles tagged with:
- partnership
- exercise
- USAREUR
- Joint Multinational Training Center
- Hohenfels
- special forces
- U.S. Army in Europe
Related Topics
Related Articles
-
The close of an era: A-10 Thunderbolt makes final flight over the Grafenwoehr Training Area
On April 24, 2013, the A-10 Thunderbolt took flight over Grafenwoehr Training Area’s impact area for the last time.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Aviano Airmen train with Spanish counterparts
More than 250 Airmen and 14 F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base returned from a training mission to Zaragoza Air Base, Spain, March 27.Find more articles tagged with:
-
MV-22B Ospreys thunder through Stuttgart skies
In coordination with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, the community of U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and USAG Stuttgart had “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Minnesotan, Norwegian Soldiers Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership
After two action-packed weeks, the 40th Anniversary of the Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) has come an end. The longest partnership-in-training between two nations, NOREX has been, and continues to be, a shining example of the positive reciprocity that can exist between allied militaries.Find more articles tagged with:
-
U.S. nurses helping to improve Moldovan Healthcare system
Two National Guard and three civilian nurses from North Carolina are sharing expertise this week with their Moldovan counterparts at the Ministries of Defense and Health.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Italian Sailors Make History on Kearsarge
USS Kearsarge had eight sailors from the Italian Marina Militare set sail with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready GroupFind more articles tagged with:
-
Sky Soldiers conduct mil-to-mil training in Bulgaria
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Edwin Maldonado, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Drafall and Capt. Aaron Becker had the opportunity to travel to Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, to mentor and instruct the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Bulgarian Army.Find more articles tagged with:
-
USS Farragut Visits Montenegro
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) visited Bar, Montenegro, for a port visit, March 11-14.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Allied Flags raised over Del Din marks historic step
The Italian, American and NATO flags were hoisted for the first time ever at Caserma Del Din March 1 in Vicenza, Italy.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Italian firefighters protect Army's newest installation
The Vicenza Military Community expanded its emergency response capability Feb. 28 as 14 recently hired firefighters graduated from a month-long certification course.Find more articles tagged with:
Comments: 0