STOP NATO: �NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Get a low APR NextCard Visa in 30 seconds! 1. Fill in the brief application 2. Receive approval decision within 30 seconds 3. Get rates as low as 2.99% Intro or 9.99% Ongoing APR and no annual fee! Apply NOW! http://www.bcentral.com/listbot/NextCard ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Budapest Sun June 14, 2001 - Volume IX, Issue 24 US forces descend for record exercise By Fraser Allan THE United States� Army and Air Force descended on Hungary for the largest ever rapid deployment exercise to be undertaken by the US Army in Europe (USAREUR). The exercise came despite the fact that the United States has confirmed its intention to reduce its armed forces in the region. Almost 700 US personnel either parachuted into or landed in aircraft at Kecskem�t airbase and joined the Hungarian Army and Air Force in a four-day exercise called Lariat Response, designed to test the capabilities of the USAREUR�s Immediate Ready Force (IRF). US airborne troops from bases in Italy and Germany parachuted in to Kecskem�t on Friday, followed by 40 wheeled and armored vehicles, ranging from jeeps and armored cars to two M-1 battle tanks, in addition to a force of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. "What we did demonstrated that we can initially respond with agility and then land a heavier force afterwards in a matter of hours," said Colonel James C Yarborough, Commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and overall commander of the US force. Hungarian forces helped enhance the reality of the exercise, which involved simulating damage to a runway at Kecskem�t with wire, replica mines and other obstacles. Yarborough explained that in a real war situation this would be a tactic likely employed by the enemy. "Denying the US a runway is a favorite tactic, as we depend on them," he said, adding a repair package of engineers and five specialist vehicles were airdropped and after only two hours had cleared the runway for incoming transport aircraft. "The Hungarians are very eager to demonstrate their ability to train with us and be inter-operable with us," said Yarborough. "The Hungarians may not be blessed with the resources we have, but they are very professional and particular and we have learned a lot of skill and techniques from them in various areas." The US force carried out the rest of the exercise alongside their Hungarian counterparts, carrying out live fire training sessions, joint patrols and airborne operations, which included the loading of the Hungarian Army�s Soviet-built BTR-80 troop carrier vehicles onto a US C-17 transport aircraft. "We used to have these vehicles in our sights - now they are at our sides," said Yarborough. Chief Master Sergeant Damian Fox, loadmaster aboard the C-17, said the exercise had been especially notable for him as it was the first time he had supervised the loading of Soviet-built vehicles onto an aircraft. He also praised the capabilities of the Hungarians. "Together we got the job done quickly and efficiently and communications were excellent," he said. Major Tam�s S�ndor, one of the Hungarian commanders taking part in the operations, said, "The exercise has been very fast-paced and intense. It is this type of training that is changing the way we think and the way we fight and encouraging us to make the most of our small army and make it an effective NATO partner. The morale of the entire army these days is higher than it has ever been, especially among the units under NATO command." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Spot the hottest trends in music, movies, and more. http://buzz.yahoo.com/ ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
