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MONS, Belgium, May 22, 1998 – U.S. and Russian forces are among the 3,000 troops from six NATO and 11 other nations taking part in Cooperative Jaguar 1998, a ground, air and maritime Partnership for Peace exercise in Denmark.
Troops began arriving May 18 at the northern city of Frederikshavn. The exercise scenario calls for a NATO-led peacekeeping force to deploy to a country troubled by economic distress, ethnic tensions and the breakup of its military forces. The two-week exercise culminates with a noncombatant evacuation exercise May 24 to 29. A civil affairs team, four F-16 fighters, a maritime patrol aircraft and a battalion staff officer make up the U.S. contingent. The Russian Federation fielded a 25-man naval infantry platoon and several staff officers. NATO officials here say this is the first time Russian forces have participated in a Partnership for Peace exercise in a NATO-member country. Throughout the exercise, NATO officials said, ground troops will practice peacekeeping operations, while nearly 40 ships and about 30 aircraft test their ability to operate effectively in a NATO-led joint, peace support operation. Overall, Partnership for Peace exercises develop interoperability in such areas as peace support, search and rescue and humanitarian relief operations, and they provide the foundation for effective military cooperation, NATO officials said. The partnership program's fundamental goals are to build dialogue, transparency, trust and confidence between NATO and partnership nations. Other NATO nations participating in Cooperative Jaguar are Denmark, France, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. Partnership nations are Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
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