Oslo, June 6 – General Ben Hodges Commander of US forces in Europe toured to Bodo, Norway.
For three days Gen Hodges acquainted himself with the Norwegian armed forces in the north. At Bodo Airport country manager for the American land forces in Europe Sunday. The aim of the visit is closer cooperation and more joint exercises with the Norwegian forces in the coming years.
“We look for every opportunity to train with Norwegian and other allied forces. I was here during the exercise Cold Response which was a great exercise. I want my troops to have the opportunity to train here too,” says General Ben Hodges in US Army Europe.
Mean they do not provoke
Norwegian F-16s patrolling already NATO border with Russia in the Baltic States and fourteen days the Norwegian and US forces practice together in Poland.
– I am glad that Norwegian soldiers to be present.They are respected worldwide and have demonstrated their abilities and professionalism both in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world.The alliance needs the Norwegian forces.
Just four days ago was also NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg visited Bodo . Then he stressed that presence is important, but that it is important to avoid provoking neighbor.
The American military leader, Ben Hodges, denies that it is a provocation against Russia to practice in Poland.
– We are not provocative at all, says Hodges.
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Will visit several locations in Norway
Tomorrow the trip goes to Armed Forces Operational Headquarters at Reitan downhill Bodo. Then visit entourage Norway’s border with Russia in Finnmark.
– The US Army is an important partner for us. USA is important in Norwegian security policy and that US forces are practicing on Norwegian soil, is a good thing, says Rune Jakobsen, Inspector General of the Army.
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NRK / Translation
June 6, 2015