North Carolina National Guard Capt. Ken Vilagos instructs Moldovan soldiers assigned to the 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade during Exercise Fire Shield 23 at Bulboaca Training Center, Moldova, Sept. 13, 2023. The annual exercise between North Carolina and Moldova focuses on developing artillery and fire support capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens)
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WIESBADEN, Germany – North Carolina National Guard members are in Moldova for Exercise Rapid Trident Sept. 10-22 with U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s V Corps, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova, and the Romanian Armed Forces.
The exercise enhances U.S. partnerships with the Republic of Moldova and Romania by increasing interoperability and readiness through training in peacekeeping and stability operations.
“Rapid Trident is about interoperability,” said U.S. Army Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, U.S. Army Europe and Africa spokesperson. “About improving our ability to work with one another, and about strengthening decades-old relationships.”
A rotational force made up of approximately 80 U.S. service members from the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and the North Carolina National Guard are training alongside 200 Moldovan service members and 25 Romanian soldiers.
The North Carolina National Guard has partnered with Moldova since 1999 as part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. The SPP began 30 years ago and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations.
Rapid Trident exercise activities include interoperability training focused on peacekeeping, medical treatment and evacuation, unmanned aircraft system operations, and homeland and territorial defense. Rapid Trident includes Fire Shield, a linked exercise with the North Carolina National Guard with live-fire field and situational training.
Military exercises like Rapid Trident are planned months in advance, and participating nations or the number of participants may change with little to no notice.
