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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      US, Cyprus military conduct bilateral training during Silver Falcon 2023Published Feb. 25, 2023
                    
                    By  Master Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady
                    
                    
                    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
            **CYPRUS (AFNS) --**The U.S. and Cypriot military conducted bilateral non-evacuation operations training as part of exercise Silver Falcon 2023 Feb. 6-24 in Cyprus.

Silver Falcon, a bilateral exercise with Cypriot partners, is intended to prepare U.S. forces to exercise emergency response procedures to include support to noncombatant evacuation operations.This exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between both nations’ militaries and ensure ready and postured forces for any contingency, particularly those involving crisis response. This exercise serves as an opportunity for USEUCOM and the Cypriot military to exercise together and to learn from one another.A U.S. Air Force Airman and Cypriot service member conduct bilateral non-evacuation operations training as part of exercise Silver Falcon 2023, Feb. 6-24, 2023, in Cyprus. Silver Falcon is a bilateral exercise with Cypriot partners and is intended to prepare U.S. forces to exercise emergency response procedures including support to noncombatant evacuation operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Darnell Cannady)
            
            
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“Silver Falcon 2023 is the first of annual Silver Series of [**U.S. European Command**] exercises designed to codify how the U.S. will respond to a regional crisis or emergency in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Alexander Gonzalez, Task Force Cyprus headquarter director of staff.

This exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between both nations’ militaries and ensure ready and postured forces for any contingency, particularly those involving crisis response. This exercise serves as an opportunity for USEUCOM and the Cypriot military to exercise together and to learn from one another.

"These exercises allow us to enhance our emergency response procedures and interoperability with our Cypriot partners," said U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Anderson, Task Force Cyprus commander. "By strengthening our ability to evacuate personnel safely and efficiently globally, we're prepared to support any real-world emergency."

**U.S. Air Forces in Europe** members conducted bilateral airfield assessments, medical training, and briefings to discuss emergency response capabilities and procedures. They also set up military communication services to test their ability to quickly establish communications capabilities as well as conducted a noncombative evacuation operations tracking systems evaluation to test their ability to in-process personnel from various locations.

The **U.S. Army**’s **173rd Airborne Brigade** conducted squad blank and live-fire training, completed a 20-kilometer ruck march, tactical, and marksmanship training with their Cypriot partners.Service members fire a rocket propelled grenade launcher during training.A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade alongside Cypriot troops engage a target with a rocket propelled grenade launcher in Larnaca, Cyprus, Feb. 17, 2023, as part of exercise Silver Falcon 23. Silver Falcon 23 is a bilateral exercise between the United States and Cyprus and is designed to enhance interoperability between both nations’ militaries to ensure they are prepared for any contingency, particularly those involving crisis response and non-combatant evacuation operations. (U.S. Army photo by Army Staff Sgt. John Yountz)
            
            
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“USAFE sent a select team of HQ staff and personnel from various wings across USAFE AOR to conduct bilateral engagements with our Cypriot partners in C2 [command and control], medical and airport operations enhancing response in case of any regional crisis or emergency,” Gonzalez added.

SF23 represents another step in the deliberate and strategic relationship between the U.S. and Cyprus and contributes to regional stability.LR 



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