U.S. Air Force to train in Ukraine at Exercise Rapid Trident 17

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (Aug. 15, 2017) - The U.S. Air Force will participate in joint and multinational Exercise Rapid Trident 2017 that is scheduled to take place Sept. 8-23, at Starokonstantinov Air Base, Ukraine, and at the International Peacekeeping Security Center near Yavoriv, Ukraine.

For the first time since 1999, the Air National Guard will send approximately 40 personnel from the California Air National Guard and a C-130J Super Hercules to participate in Rapid Trident for integrated, air and ground training on aeromedical evacuation, tactical airlift and airdrop, logistics planning and equipment preparation.

Rapid Trident is an annual, multinational exercise that serves as the validation for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense unit currently undergoing training at the Ukrainian-led Combat Training Center, under the advisement of allied and partner nations.

The exercise involves approximately 1,800 personnel from 13 nations, including Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Rapid Trident supports joint combined interoperability among Ukraine, the U.S., and allied and partner nations. The Rapid Trident exercise series is held at the request of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

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Media are invited to the International Peacekeeping Security Center near Yavoriv, Ukraine, on Sept. 15, 2017, to see Ukrainian troops in action during training events. Media interested in attending this event should contact usarmy.bavaria.7atc.list.pao-all@mail.mil by Aug. 25, 2017.

For queries regarding U.S. Air Force participation in Rapid Trident 17, contact usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.