Pentagon releases details on joint exercise with Armenian troops

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Pentagon has released details on the upcoming Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenia-U.S. military exercise.

A U.S. military spokesperson told Reuters that 85 U.S. soldiers and 175 Armenians would take part. He said the Americans - including members of the Kansas National Guard which has a 20-year-old training partnership with Armenia - would be armed with rifles and would not be using heavy weaponry.

Armenia will host the Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenian-U.S. military exercise from September 11-20, the Armenian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday.

"In the framework of preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions the Armenia-U.S. joint exercise "EAGLE PARTNER 2023" will be held from 11 to 20 September in Armenia, particularly in "Zar" Training Center of the Peacekeeping Brigade and the N Training Center of the Ministry of Defense,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The exercise involves stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during peacekeeping missions.

“The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of interoperability of the unit participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, as well as to increase the readiness of the Armenian unit for the planned NATO/PfP "Operational Capabilities Concept" evaluation. Within the framework of preparation for peacekeeping missions, units preparing for international peacekeeping operations frequently participate in similar joint exercises and trainings in partner countries,” the Defense Ministry added.