Since 1999, Largest Number of NATO Soldiers Exercising around Serbia  

NATO military exercises (BETAPHOTO/NORTH MACEDONIA GOVERNMENT/MO)

During May and June in the Balkans and in Serbia’s neighborhood as many as 17 military exercises have been taking place, involving a total of 46,000 members of the U.S. armed forces, NATO member countries and the countries in the region, which is the largest number of military activities in series since the deployment of international forces to Kosovo in 1999.

According to a report of portal Balkan Security Network on June 1, as many as 12 military activities have taken place under U.S. exercise “Defender-Europe 21,” while exercise Steadfast Defender 21 has demonstrated parachute, mechanized forces and logistics drills.

The series of exercises in the Balkans opened with exercise Defender-Europe 21, with the aim to exercise response to a potential attack on some of U.S. allies in the regions of the Balkans and the Black Sea. Joint military exercises of the U.S. and Bosnia and Herzegovina armed forces have been held on training grounds Manjaca and Glamoc and Dubrava airport near Tuzla. Air and air defense exercises have been held in Slovenia along with the deployment of long-range missile system Patriot.

“For the first time, the U.S. had been doing an exercise in Kosovo’s territory with the engagement of the Kosovo Security Forces. According to a document seen by the Balkan Security Network, 204 members will be exercising in the region of mine Babaj Boks together with 12 advisors from the U.S. Army. According to the portal, “150 members of the U.S. 16th Engineer Brigade are stationed in Camp Bondsteel.”