23 gusht 2013
Set 1/2 
Today’s afternoon, at the premises of the Air Force Command, in Rinas, took place the opening ceremony of the joint exercise between the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and the Albanian Armed Forces codenamed “Albanian Lion-13”. The ceremony was held in the framework of bilateral cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom. The British Air Force troops were welcomed at the Rinas airport by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Xhemal Gjunkshi, British Ambassador of Great Britain in Tirana, Mr. Nicholas Cannon, Air Force commander, Brigadier General Frederik Beltoja, Deputy Ambassador of Great Britain, Mr. Stephen Hickling, by the Consul, Mr. Kabir Rahman, deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, Royal Marines Commando, Colonel Kevin Oliver, generals and other senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces.
Then the participants in this activity followed a joint demonstration of the British Air Force and Air Force of Albania.
After the demonstration, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Xhemal Gjunkshi in his address stated: “I have the privilege, honour and pleasure, as Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, to be here today and held the welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the joint exercise between the Armed Forces of Great Britain and our Armed Forces, codenamed “Albanian Lion-13”.
Today, continued further General Gjunkshi, after so many years, the exercise “Albanian Lion-13” becomes a yearly training tradition between our two countries.
To manage and coordinate the training activity, coordinating-support groups and structures are set up at all levels and areas where the training activities will take place, from the General Staff of the Armed Forces to all the elements of the chain of command.
Further in his address, Chief of General Staff guaranteed that with respect, faith and devotion, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania are and will always be ready to contribute to the growth of bilateral cooperation and interaction with the United Kingdom and the forces of other member countries of NATO, in accordance with its constitutional mission.
At the end of his speech, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Gjunkshi, after thanking the participating troops in this demonstration wished them successful exercise, invited them to work together to further increase cooperation between our Armed Forces, and face the common challenges in the field of security and defence.”
While the British Ambassador, Mr. Nicholas Cannon in his speech stated: “It is a pleasure to be here today with the Chief of General Staff and senior Albanian and British officers to present to you the start of the exercise “Albanian Lion-13”. Over the last three years, the AAF along with embassy that I lead, and along with the military authorities in London, have worked to create the opportunities for joint exercises in Albania. Ambassador Cannon further stated that this year’s exercise will be conducted by General Davis, commander of British amphibious force. This exercise also allows the officers and military personnel of both countries to work together, in the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. Both parties have much to learn from each other. This year, stated ambassador Cannon, we had for the first time in the exercise a contingent of Dutch troops. At the conclusion of his speech the British ambassador Nicholas Cannon said: “I want to thank the Albanian military personnel and civil authorities, which gave life to these training opportunities for us. I want to emphasize that we are very grateful to the Albanian public opinion for their hospitality, patience and cooperation during this exercise.
The joint exercise “Albanian Lion-13” is a multi scenarios exercise, in which will participate around 3,000 British troops, mostly commandos and naval forces, as well as a personnel of 35 troops of the Dutch Armed Forces, which operate together with British troops.
The scenario of the joint Albanian-British exercise “Albanian Lion-13” has a wide geographical range, from training area in Biza, to Pashaliman, Kuçova, Karaburun and Sazan. Armed forces will engage in exercises Naval Force vessels and Land Force troops during the implementation of common scenarios.
The joint exercise “Albanian Lion-13” will include three drills, each with a specific scenario. During the one-month deployment in our country, the British troops will perform and conduct of military operations at sea and on land in evacuation operations, naval landing, shooting exercises, etc.
