“Peace Shield – 2016” Exercise Starts in Balti

CHISINAU, June 21, 2016 — “Peace Shield — 2016” exercise started today at the Training center of “Moldova” Brigade from Balti.

“Peace Shield — 2016” involves 250 soldiers of the 22^nd Peacekeeping Battalion, Signal Battalion, Communications and Informatics Center, Land Forces Command, as well as of Brigades 1, 2, and 3. The exercise’s aim is to assess the capabilities of a mortar battery and a group of engineers from the above units in compliance with the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC).

The OCC is a cooperation tool within the Partnership for Peace Program designed to implement Western standards in the training and evaluation of National Army units for participation in multinational peacekeeping operations.

According to Commander of the exercise, LTC Alexandru Marcuta, this year, the units will be tested on carrying out missions in an international theatre of operations, such as: search of civilians’ body and search the vehicles at the checkpoints, ensure the security of strategic facilities, patrol, convoy and escort, as well as medical evacuation and first aid.

The National Army joined OCC in 2007.