Ukraine hosts multinational exercise Blonde Avalanche 2018

Photo By Sgt. Timothy Massey | A vehicle launched bridge lowers bridge section during exercise Blonde Avalanche held at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre, Ukraine, Oct. 4.  

UKRAINE

10.04.2018

Story by 2nd Lt. Kealy Moriarty 

278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard

YAVORIV, Ukraine- Soldiers from the Tennessee and Ohio Army National Guard partner with Soldiers from various countries in the multinational disaster relief exercise, Blonde Avalanche, here, Oct. 4.

While the U.S. played a role in mentorship, participants from Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia conducted a variety of exercises in unison to practice relief procedures in the event of an avalanche.

Exercise Blonde Avalanche is designed to simulate natural disaster relief and the ability of Soldiers to work together by implementing NATO standards in planning and execution processes. The exercise lasts three days and begins with the military planning, and decision-making process then manifests into the execution of various engineer-centric tasks.

“This training not only tests the effectiveness for natural disaster relief, but it also tests these countries ability to train and work alongside each other in order to successfully accomplish the mission,” stated Lt. Col. Matthew Smith, the U.S. Combat Training Center Commander. “This training is also important because it increases the readiness for natural disasters like an avalanche, which is a threat to mountainous regions like the Carpathians.”

The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment from the Tennessee Army National Guard is currently deployed to Ukraine as a part of the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine. The 16th Engineer Brigade from the Ohio Army National Guard is here in support of their partner nation, Hungary, and this training exercise.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2018
• Date Posted: 10.04.2018 12:01
• Story ID: 295405
• Location: UA