Major Military Exercises Show US and NATO Interest in Southeastern Europe

• This spring, the US military and other militaries held major air and special-operations drills at Greece.
• These exercises took place during Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, which was a major threat to Europe’s security.
• These drills illustrate how NATO and the US are investing in southeastern Europe’s access and influence.

Although tensions between Russia and Europe have been high since Moscow launched an unprovoked attack against Ukraine in February, there is still a lot of Russian influence in certain parts of Europe.

Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean countries have always had an established tradition of democracy. a delicate relationshipMoscow is a part of our shared kinship as in Serbia and Bulgaria and partly due to shared religion like in Greece.

Moscow has seen the Balkans slowly move away from Moscow. Many countries have placed their flags there. Recent NATO membersNorth Macedonia is the newest member of the alliance.

As Russian tanks were advancing on Kyiv earlier this year, to the south the US and other countries were taking part in two large-scale exercises, involving dozens of aircraft and hundreds of special operators, in Greece.

These special-ops and major air combat drills are a clear indication of how the US is trying to control an important region in Europe, despite increasing competition from Russia.

Orion and Iniochos 22

Iniochos is quickly becoming one the most important air exercises of the region. For the annual event, air forces from Europe and Middle East join other NATO militaries.

Iniochos 22, All rights reservedEnde March saw dozens of aircraft involved in the rescue operation. 10 CountriesThese include the Israeli F-16Is, A-200As of Italy, French Rafale F3, US F-15Es & F/A-18s as well as F-16Cs and F-4Es from Greece, as well F-16Cs and Mirage 2000-5BGs. The US also flew unmanned aerial vehicles MQ-9 Reaper MQ-9 Reaper.

The Greece-hosted exercise included drills on a variety of mission sets including air defense, airborne reconnaissance and combat search and rescue, offensive counter-air operations and air defense. It also featured drills on high-value, high-value missions and counter surface-force operations.

Iniochos 22, which was ending in early April, saw more than 1,000 special operators, maintainers and pilots from six different countries. Coming togetherGreece Orion 22 to conduct realistic special-operations exercises.

Participated in the exercise were US Navy SEALs as well as Army Green Berets and Navy Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen, Air Force Combat Controllers, Air Force Pararescuemen and Air Force Combat Controllers.

Geoffrey Pyatt was the US ambassador to Greece. Immediately after the exercise.

Commandos representing the US, France, Greece and Cyprus trained at 22 locations in Greece for air, land and sea operations. In drills that simulate close air support, 32 fighter-jet sorties were performed and 64 helicopter missions were undertaken to support the operators.

Iniochos 22 was also performed amid increasing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan, along with other Turkish leaders, have used harsh language against Greece and Cyprus including A veiled threatTo invade Greece, with whom Turkey There have been long-standing disputes.

The Tensions risingBetween NATO members on the alliance’s Important southeastern flankThis comes at a time when leaders from both Atlantic sides are trying to find unity in the face Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Choose the security partner of your choice

Pyatt, who was removed as ambassador this spring, has been nominated for another US State Department job. Orion 22 states that Greece is the “security partner of choice” for the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea and Balkan regions.

The US has been strengthening its security alliance with Greece in recent years. In 2018, the US military’s European Command determined to prioritize. The military partnershipWith Greece, we recognize it as one NATO’s key members.

The US upgraded military alliance has been a huge benefit to Greece. In just a few short years, the Greek military has been equipped with Mark V Special Operations Crafts, OH-58 Kiowa light-attack helicopters and reconnaissance helicopters, M1117 Guardian armored secure vehicles, and M1117 Guardian armored patrol vehicles. Also, US troops were A greater presence in Greece.

Pyatt stated this spring, “I am very confident in that that partnership will continue to accelerate and deepen into future because it is based on shared interests but also shared democratic values,” Pyatt said.

Stavros Atlamazoglou, a defense journalist who specializes in special operations, is a Hellenic Army veteran (national military service with the 575th marine battlion and Army Headquarters) and a Johns Hopkins University alumnus. Atlamazoglou is currently pursuing a master’s in strategy and cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.