Jul 18 2019

NATO training teams help to strengthen interoperability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces

Members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces talking to Allied Air Command's Chief of Staff, Major General Karsten Stoye (left, then Brigadier General and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations) during Exercise Trident Juncture 2018. Allied Air Command and the Ukrainian Air Force have successfully cooperated at various occasions in the past. Photo: Sebastien Raffin (Archive)

RAMSTEIN, Germany – From 15 to 19 July, a Mobile Training Team of NATO’s Allied Air Command travelled to Mykolaiv, Ukraine. The aim of this mission was to share expertise and experience with thirty members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on how different branches of armed forces work together in joint operations. The Mobile Training Team consisted of an officer of Allied Air Command’s Military Partnership Branch and three subject matter experts on air operations.

Visits of Mobile Training Teams to NATO partner countries like Ukraine are highly beneficial for both Allies and partners as they enhance mutual trust and interoperability. Partnership visits are also a unique opportunity to share experience. NATO Allies have been continuously developing and improving joint operational procedures. While Ukraine could benefit from implementing those procedures, NATO is also keen to learn from partners’ experience. For several years, Allied Air Command has sent Mobile Training Teams to Ukraine to conduct training on various aspects of air operations.

"It is always a rewarding experience working with our Ukrainian partners,” said Colonel Thierry Coupeau, head of Allied Air Command’s Military Partnership Branch. "What we are achieving together goes beyond enhancing practical collaboration in the field of Air Power. The strengthening of trust and friendship with forces from partner countries is a contribution to NATO’s overall effort of increasing Euro-Atlantic stability and is a clear achievement of NATO’s third core task, cooperative security,” he added.

Ukraine has been a NATO partner for many years and plays an active role in Allied Air Command’s partnership network. The NATO Military Partnership Programme contributes to increased international stability and security through cooperative engagement with forces of non-NATO countries. Over the past 25 years, the Alliance has developed a network of 41 partner countries around the world. NATO pursues dialogue and practical cooperation with these nations on a wide range of political and security-related issues.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office