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Ambassador: German troops' numerous participation in NATO Swift Response exercise proves our committment to allies
German troops's numerous participation in the NATO Swift Response exercise, under the command of German Major-General Dirk Faust, proves once again that we stand firmly with our allies, and that we are making a relevant contribution to ensuring Romania's security and that of NATO's south-eastern flank, the German ambassador to Bucharest, Peer Gebauer, said on Wednesday.
"In these difficult times, we must do everything, as NATO allies, to ensure the protection of our citizens and the allied territory. In this respect, one's ability to quickly move troops is decisive. I thank the Romanian Land Forces for their hospitality and excellent collaboration," said the ambassador, according to a press release of the German diplomatic mission sent to AGERPRES.
Major-General Dirk Faust, commander of the Schnelle Krafte Division, stated that, within the Swift Response operation, landing and disembarkation exercises are carried out from helicopters, in combat conditions, to show the rapid movement of operational troops.
"In addition to preparing for movement and combat, proving the defence readiness of the country and the alliance at NATO's external border is the main objective of this exercise. This is, of course, strategic communication. We are sending a very clear overall signal with the 'Steadfast Defender' exercise, that we are always very fast in moving the operational forces in those areas where they are needed, and where they deter the aggression of any adversary," said Dirk Faust.
The Schnelle Krafte division aims, in principle, to move strategically over long distances in a very short amount of time, in order to become operational anywhere, very fast. In this respect, all possible modes of transport are used: air, land and rail.
The objective of the NATO Swift Response exercise in Romania and Hungary, carried out under the command of German Major-General Dirk Faust, commander of the Schnelle Krafte Division, is to protect NATO's south-eastern flank.
In order to protect NATO's south-eastern flank, approximately 2,000 German troops from the Schnelle Krafte Division (Rapid Forces Division), as well as numerous soldiers of other NATO allies and support personnel, are participating in an exercise in Romania.
For the multinational landing exercise in Romania, the Forward Command Post of the Division was operationalized in Hungary, as the host nation, as well as the command post of the 1st Airborne Brigade.
The German military, together with allies from the Netherlands, France, Spain, the USA and Romania, are participating in the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War. Approximately 5,000 troops will take part, and up to 1,500 paratroopers and specialized forces will participate in the various landing missions. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, Brigadier General Daniel Pop, called this operation "a historic event."
In the case of movements, but also in the case of Air Mobile Task Force (AMTF) operations, the most different aircraft models of the participating nations are used. In total, it is about 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 35 helicopters, as well as 200 land vehicles.