NATO War Games In Poland Get Russia's Attention

[rug]

Polish soldiers perform a medical evacuation as part of the Anakonda exercise in Poland. More than two dozen countries, including NATO members and partner countries, took part in the largest such exercise since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. (Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes/114th Public Affairs Detachment via DVIDS)

June 17, 20165:09 AM ET
Heard on Morning Edition
David Welna
National Security Correspondent, Washington Desk

Europe's largest joint military exercise since the end of the Cold War rumbled to a close on Friday in Poland. More than 30,000 troops from across the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were there to send a message to Russia.

"What we want to do is let the Russians know, and make no mistake about it — you step, even with your big toe, even with your unconventional 'little green men,' into one of our allied countries? To include the Baltic States? We will respond," said Evelyn Farkas of the Atlantic Council, formerly a top Defense Department official who focused on Russia and Ukraine.

That's why European and American soldiers trained along with their Polish and other counterparts as part of the Anakonda 2016 exercise. They created scenes that would once have been unthinkable, including American and vintage Soviet-built helicopters (still in use in parts of Eastern Europe) practicing attacks together.

Many American units participated, including the 173rd Airborne Brigade, National Guard soldiers from Ohio and Missouri and others. Non-NATO partners including Sweden and Finland also took part.

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/06/17/482432771/nato-war-games-in-poland-get-russias-attention

4:58 audio at link.