U.S. Special Forces Train in Albania

Tirana, Albania — Opening ceremonies for Adriatic Eagle, a multi-national special operations exercise, were held here May 23, 2006. During the exercise, which continues through June 22, 2006, special forces soldiers from Albania, Croatia and Macedonia are training with U.S. special forces to develop the counterterrorism and counternarcotics capabilities of each nation. The U.S. personnel are assigned to 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Carson, Colo.

The U.S. special forces members are training approximately 70 soldiers at the Farka and Shengjini facilities in Albania. The exercise includes basic conditioning and situational-ethics training and culminates with advanced room-clearing techniques and small-team tactics.

"Including Albanian, Croatian and Macedonian troops in this special forces training allows U.S. European Command to promote one of our greater policy goals of fostering regional cooperation," said Air Force Lt. Col. Jordan Thomas, political-military affairs desk officer, EUCOM plans, policy and assessments directorate.

"This is realistic and tangible training. It is much more complex than a table-top exercise for these countries that already contribute special forces teams to coalition operations," Thomas said.