According to an announcement by the General Staff of the Army (GES), from Thursday 11 to Friday 19, March 2021, in the framework of international cooperation with friendly and allied countries planned by the HNDGS, the Live Exercise “THRACIAN COOPERATION – 21” took place in the Petrochori-Xanthi firing range. 

The exercise was conducted with the participation of the 2nd and 5th Cavalry Squadrons of the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army Command Europe and Africa (C Company, 2-5 CAV Squadron of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Hood Texas) and Units of the Greek XXV Armored Brigade “2nd Cavalry Regiment – EFESOS”. 

It is worth noting that the 2nd Cavalry Squadron of the 1st US Cavalry Division had fought alongside Greek Expeditionary Corps in the Korean War.

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The “THRACIAN COOPERATION – 21” was conducted using Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) Systems and included training in tactics and control – fire management with simultaneous examination of Logistics issues.

The final phase of the exercise was attended by the Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Charalampos Lalousis, the Inspector General of the Army – Commander of Doctrine and Training, Lieutenant General Angelos Ilaridis, 1st Army Commander, Lieutenant General Petros Demestichas, the Commander of the D Corps, Lieutenant General Angelos Choudeloudis. From the US part the exercise was attended by the Consul General in Thessaloniki, Mr. Elisabeth K. Lee, the Deputy Commander of US Army Europe and Africa, Major General Joe Jarrard and the US Military Attaché to Greece, Colonel Robert Reed Anderson.

In his speech, the Chief noted the high level of operational cooperation of the Armed Forces of the two countries and congratulated the practitioner personnel on meeting the objectives of the exercise.

The Deputy Commander of the US Army Europe and Africa, Major General Joe Jarrard said: “The United States is committed to strengthening ties and cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral exercises like these help us advance our common goals in the field of regional defence and security.”

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