24th U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) landing at Pristina Airport

NATO Strategic Reserve Force (SRF) will conduct Operational Rehearsal RAPID CHEETAH 2001 in Kosovo, from August 22 to September 24, 2001.

 USMC Colonel Richard P. Mills giving a statement to the press at Pristina Airport
 
Elements of the NATO SRF have deployed in theatre in support of the ongoing KFOR peace support operation. This operational rehearsal is part of a set of training opportunities NATO routinely provides to the SRF.

The SRF is a multinational, professional force with a wide range of military capabilities - including light and airborne infantry, amphibious, air-mobile, armour, artillery and air attack capability. It is a mobile, versatile force capable of augmenting in-theatre forces in order to deal with any military contingency.

Operational Rehearsal RAPID CHEETAH 2001 is designed to practice and validate operational concepts, familiarize units with terrain and environment in support of Operation Eagle.

It also sends a clear message of NATO's and the International Community's strong resolve and commitment to maintain peace and stability in the overall Balkans region.

The participating forces will consist of troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of the United States of America, supported by transport aircraft, helicopters and ships in the Adriatic Sea.

The operational rehearsal will be co-ordinated by Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH), the NATO headquarters responsible for the operations in the Balkans.

The MEU units will be integrated into the command and control structure of KFOR Multinational Brigade East, as an integral part of COMKFOR's in-place forces.
 
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