Joint U.S.-Hungarian military exercise consolidates Hungary's security: minister

The ongoing joint U.S.-Hungarian military exercise, Warlord Rock 2015, consolidates Hungary's security and strengthens its Defence Forces, Hungarian Defense Minister Csaba Hende said Thursday.

The exercise is "to express our commitment to boost our country's" and regional security under the changed conditions, Hende told a news conference in Papa, in northwest Hungary.

Warlord Rock 2015, the outcome of last year's NATO summit in Wales, started in four locations in western Hungary Sunday and lasts until next Tuesday, involving 750 soldiers -- 450 Americans and 300 Hungarians -- and the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team ("Sky Soldiers"), under the Hungarian command.

Hende, the Commander of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Frederick Ben Hodges, Hungarian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Tibor Benko, and U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell observed part of Warlord Rock 2015 airborne and live ammo exercise before the news conference.

Bell called the joint military exercise an excellent example of bilateral cooperation.

Thursday's exercise involved a C-17 Globemaster III and two C-130 Hercules aircraft flying from Aviano Air Base, Italy, over the target area, Hungary's Papa, where soldiers parachuted out from an altitude of 300 meters to conduct an offensive operation and "occupy" the airbase at Papa.

The purpose of the overall exercise is to give fighting and support forces a chance to practice airborne and offensive ground maneuvers. Endi