SOCEUR kicks off Jackal Stone 2014 in Germany, Netherlands

Photo By Pfc. Benjaman Pollhein | A Soldier lands during a joint airborne operation at Alzey Drop Zone, Alzey, Germany, Sept. 11, 2014.The training was part of Exercise Jackal Stone 14, a joint exercise to strengthen relationships between the European special operations forces. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Benjaman Pollhein)  

BAUMHOLDER, RP, GERMANY

09.12.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe   

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Exercise Jackal Stone 14 officially kicked off Friday, Sept. 12, hosting a number of distinguished visitors and members of the media.

“Jackal Stone 14 provides the opportunity for personnel of all participating nations to engage in realistic and challenging training to build experience, cooperation and teamwork," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Lengyel, commander of Special Operations Command Europe.

Members of the U.S. and partner militaries began arriving in locations in Germany and the Netherlands earlier this week in preparation for Jackal Stone.

Jackal Stone is led by SOCEUR as part of United States European Command’s Joint Training and Exercise Program, designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied and partner nations. The exercise supports interoperability among the Lead Nation (U.S.), the Host Nations (U.S. and Netherlands) and the military special operations forces from other participating nations.

“Multilateral exercises like Jackal Stone 2014 broaden our areas of cooperation and enhance mutual air, ground and maritime capability,” said Lengyel.

This year forces from 10 nations - Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland, Great Britain, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia and the U.S. - will participate in the exercise. This exercise helps to prepare participants to operate successfully in a joint, multinational, integrated environment.

This exercise also directly supports national military and strategic objectives.

“As partner nations we share a commitment to promote peace and stability and seek opportunities to improve our interoperability,” Lengyel said.

Jackal Stone has been coordinated during the last year and will continue to take place throughout the month of September. All maneuvers and events have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout and within the various German and Dutch towns and cities hosting the training. The exercise scenarios are designed to portray realistic and relevant security challenges, and have been planned by the various countries participating during planning conferences spanning the past 11 months, and are not connected to any real-world events.

The U.S., as the lead nation, along with the Netherlands, as joint host nations, appreciate the support and consideration granted to us from the citizens of Germany and the Netherlands and thank them for their understanding of any inconvenience caused by the training next month.

For more information, please contact the Special Operations Command Europe Public Affairs Office at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 09.12.2014
• Date Posted: 09.15.2014 04:09
• Story ID: 142130
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, RP, DE