Eagle Partner is a Vital Opportunity for US and Armenian Soldiers, Colonel Martin O'Donnell

The US Army Europe and Africa Command has addressed the upcoming Armenian-American joint military exercise slated to take place in Armenia.

"About 85 American and 175 Armenian soldiers will participate in the "Eagle Partner" peacekeeping exercises in Armenia from September 11 to 20. Soldiers from the US 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and the Kansas National Guard will conduct the exercises alongside soldiers from Armenia's 12th Peacekeeping Brigade in the training areas of Zaar and Armavir, near Yerevan," stated the command's press release.

Colonel Martin O'Donnell of the US Army Europe and Africa remarked, "Eagle Partner is a vital opportunity for our two countries' soldiers to build new relationships at the tactical level and enhance interoperability in peacekeeping operations. It is also based on the 20-year relationship with Kansas National Guard and Armenia."

The State Partnership Program between the Kansas National Guard and Armenia began in 2003. The exercises aim to prepare the Armenian 12th Peacekeeping Brigade for the assessment of NATO's Operational Capability Concept (OCC) within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace program later this year.

It was noted that on September 6, the Armenian Ministry of Defense announced that the Eagle Partner 2023 joint exercises would take place from September 11 to 20 in Armenia. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also mentioned that the exercises between Armenia and the US do not contribute to stabilizing the situation in the region. He added that Russia continues to fulfill its role as a security guarantor, and Moscow remains committed to constructive work with both Yerevan and Baku.