U.S. Launches Biggest Allied Airborne Drills Since the Cold War. Another sign that a 'new' Cold War is upon us?

2015-08-19T16:53:03-04:00

The United States said Tuesday it has launched the biggest allied airborne drills in Europe since the Cold War ended, as fighting involving pro-Russian separatists escalated in eastern Ukraine.

Nearly 5,000 soldiers from 11 NATO nations are taking part in four weeks of "simultaneous multinational airborne operations" across Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania that began in Saturday, the US Army said in a statement.

"Swift Response 15 is the largest Allied airborne training event on the continent since the end of the Cold War," according to the statement from the US Army in Grafenwohr in southern Germany.

It is designed to help allied "high-readiness forces" act as one and "demonstrate the alliance's capacity to rapidly deploy and operate in support of maintaining a strong and secure Europe," it said.

The statement made no reference to the crisis in Ukraine where government troops have been fighting pro-Russian separatists since April last year, which has claimed the lives of nearly 7,000 people.

While the conflict eased after a truce in February, fighting has escalated in recent days.

The fighting has stirred the highest tensions since the Cold War ended more than two decades ago as the West accuses Russia of not only arming the rebels but sending in troops to support them. Moscow denies the charges.

NATO, a 28-country alliance led by the United States, last week defended the number of military exercises it has staged as a response to "growing Russian aggression" and refuted suggestions that they were helping make war in Europe more likely.

The US Army said the highlight of the drills will take place on Aug. 26 when allied warplanes will drop more than 1,000 paratroopers and equipment the to Hohenfels training area in Germany.

A similar drill will also take place the same day at the Novo Selo training area in Bulgaria, a former Soviet ally.

Participating in the exercises until Sept. 13 are more than 4,800 soldiers from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Britain and the United States.

It said the exercise marks the first time the US 82nd Airborne Division has operated in Europe since supporting NATO operations in Kosovo in 1999.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/08/18/us-launches-biggest-allied-airborne-drills-since-cold-war/31930349/

US Launches Biggest Allied Airborne Drills Since Cold War

The United States said Tuesday it has launched the biggest allied airborne drills in Europe since the Cold War ended, as fighting involving pro-Russian separatists escalated in eastern Ukraine.

Response by SSG Tim Jessen made Aug 19 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-08-19T16:55:15-04:00

Wish I could be apart of that airborne operation.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 19 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-08-19T16:55:21-04:00

It has been upon us for a couple of years now - we are just starting to notice it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 19 at 2015 5:13 PM

2015-08-19T17:13:42-04:00

Demonstrations of power tends to threaten the Russian bear's manhood. I'd expect to see some T-80 & BMP-3 live fires in the near future.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Aug 19 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-08-19T17:47:44-04:00

The Bear is once again awakening along with other countries challenging freedom. I served during the Cold War aboard ship and we often shadowed Russian ships and they often shadowed our fleet. Many a time we had Russian fighter jets and bombers do fly overs, and of course we politely escorted them out of our Op Area.

When I think back about the Cold War, we simply outlasted the Bear and financially broke their backs. In the recent time regardless of cost or smaller force they are once again flexing their muscle across the globe, and they are not the only country doing this; challenging freedom.

Weak leadership brings out the worse global players and these players play chess exceptionally well, and can stare down this administration with their eyes closed. It will only get worse, and unfortunately we have a new global terror threat to add to the mix of a new Cold War. Scary times we are living again!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 19 at 2015 7:46 PM

2015-08-19T19:46:10-04:00

I don't think we can call this a "Cold War", can we? After all, shots are being fired, bombs are being detonated, people are dying, aren't they? How are current military exercises any different than those conducted during any other "hot war"?

The truth is that we are at war. No matter how much the President and his Administration want to deny it, we are at war and we better start acting like it...

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 20 at 2015 2:19 AM

2015-08-20T02:19:08-04:00

I don't think you can say Cold War anymore. The global warming folks will be mad. It is a Slightly Warmer War.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 7:49 AM

2015-10-19T07:49:10-04:00

... the cold war had already started ... just no one talk about it.