Peace Shield 2003

350 servicemen from Ukraine, 250 from the US, and 400 from other countries are taking part in the Peace Shield-2003 multinational peacekeeping exercise held at the Yavoriv Proving Ground of the Western Operational Command as part of the Partnership for Peace program. The exercise is aimed at training the peacekeepers to control large masses of people, guard prisoners of war, liberate hostages, help refugees, and combat illegal armed militias. There is a detailed description of each country’s actions at the facility. The US has undertaken to fund meals, fuel and lubricants, baths, laundries, and utilities. Ukraine deals with customs and brokerage in addition to furnishing small arms and military equipment free of charge. According to many servicemen, the Ukrainian side has done a very good job to prepare the Yavoriv infrastructure for such a great number of visitors.