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Bulgarian paratroopers certified for NATO Response Force

Xinhua, June 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

A 150-strong tactical group of Bulgarian paratroopers was certified on Thursday to serve a one-year combat duty in the composition of the NATO Response Force (NRF) in 2017, officials said.

The evaluation, which was held within the drill "Inflexible Courage" near Plovdiv, included parachute jumping, neutralization of terrorists and rescue of hostages, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

During its NRF mission, the Bulgarian unit would stand ready to perform tasks such as conducting special reconnaissance and surveillance, and carrying out counterterrorism operations, the statement said.

Launched in 2002, the NRF consists of a highly capable joint multinational force able to react in a very short time to the full range of security challenges from crisis management to collective defense. Endit