US, Germany conduct Operation Sharp Griffin

US and German armed forces underwent training on multiple complex situations at the multinational Operation Sharp Griffin training exercise, it was announced in early May.

The exercise took place over 36 hours from 6 to 7 May 2016, and centred on situations including platoon level movements, air infiltration and evacuation operations, crowd riot control techniques, live fire manoeuvres, and synchronised force coordination.

The US forces included members of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.

The exercise began in Kosovo's Orahovac Range, where German forces entered with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and engaged simulated enemy targets after a mission brief. The soldiers were then evacuated by UH-60 Black Hawks.

The second day saw German forces train and conduct crowd riot control techniques against simulated protestors at three of the camp gates. The escalation of force increased as the rioters' aggression heightened. Soldiers from the US 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment served as a reserve force.

With the exercise complete, the MNBG-E plans to prepare for a bigger training exercise later in the year.