NATO Trident Joust Military Exercises Begin in Romania

According to a statement issued by NATO Allied Command Operations, NATO Trident Joust 2015 exercises, comprising twenty five member nations and over 1,000 personnel, began Thursday in Romania.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – NATO Trident Joust 2015 exercises, comprising twenty five member nations and over 1,000 personnel, began Thursday in Romania, according to a statement issued by NATO Allied Command Operations.

During the drills, Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples will deploy to Romania.

"The exercise is designed to test the abilities of Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples to lead a collective defense operation for the Alliance," Adm. Mark Ferguson, the commander of JFC Naples, said as quoted in the statement.

The Trident Joust exercise, running until June 28, is part of the NATO Allied Shield drills, which include Noble Jump, BALTOPS and Saber Strike, taking place in various locations within the bloc in June, comprising about 14,000 soldiers.

According to the NATO website, the exercises are response measures to challenges on its eastern periphery.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the buildup of NATO forces in Eastern Europe, saying that it is an aggressive step that could increase tensions and destabilize the region.