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GLAMOČ, November 19 (FENA) - A day for visitors and a demonstration of part of the operational capabilities of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) on the ground with close air support of two F-16 planes guided by members of the AFBiH and medical evacuation with UH-1H helicopter, at the military training ground "Glamoč", marked the successful completion of a two-day joint exercise of the armed forces of BiH and the United States titled "Bilateral Exercise".
The presentation of trained capabilities and operational capabilities of the AFBiH was attended by the BiH Presidency member Željko Komšić, BiH Defense Minister Sifet Podžić, Chief of the Joint Staff of the AFBiH Colonel-General Senad Mašović, Commander of the NATO HQ Sarajevo, Brigadier General William Edwards, US Military Attaché to BiH Brigadier Michael Tarquinto, Chief EUFOR Sarajevo HQ, Brigadier General Erno Baratha and senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and the BiH Armed Forces.
The BiH Presidency member Željko Komšić said the exercise was of huge importance to BiH.
"This exercise is important for two reasons. The first reason is the cooperation between BiH and the USA, and the second is that our armed forces have shown that they are ready to carry out a complex military operation. Our members are expecting missions in the world, which is why it is important for them to be ready to answer all the tasks with the best of their abilities," said Komšić.
The joint exercise of BiH and the United States, with the participation of fighter planes, is the first of its kind by integrating the aircraft operation with the ground forces. During the exercise, the refueling of F-16 aircraft was conducted in the air, which enabled the smooth realization of the exercise.
The Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General William J. Edwards, praised the AFBiH for the excellent implementation of the military exercise and stressed that such events contribute to achieving the interoperability of the AFBiH with NATO forces.
"NATO Headquarters Sarajevo remains committed to efforts to help the progress of the BiH Armed Forces and increase the capabilities of its members," said the Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, General Edwards.
The US Military Attaché to BiH Brigadier Michael Tarquinto thanked the AFBiH for organizing the exercise.
"Significant effort has been invested in the planning and implementation of this exercise of the AFBiH and the US Army in Europe. This means significant progress of the AF BiH in fulfilling one of the goals of the NATO partnership," stressed the US military Attaché to BiH, Brigadier Michael Tarquinto.
The exercise gathered 280 military personnel of the BiH and the US armed forces, which contributes to increasing security and stability in the Balkans.
It was held in compliance with all epidemiological recommendations and measures for protection against the COVID-19 pandemic, stated the BiH Ministry of Defense.
Video material of the Ministry of Defense of BiH available at: https://we.tl/t-1LBrUtcJdh
(FENA) S. R.
