As liaison, it is Ormen’s task to ‘keep the ship afloat’ ensuring the unity of efforts and a special bond between the multinational military and civilian personnel involved in the DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercises.

Ormeni has also worked overtime to help facilitate logistics operations in the Port of Durres, organize, coordinate, direct and translate for Albanian, US and UK staff in order to ensure the unity of efforts between multinational teams as they worked together during major operations that brought thousands of equipment and supplies to Albania.

Although much of his work is focused on importance of conducting joint operations in the port and logistics support area, where US forces are stationed alongside Albanian Navy personnel, he has also made sure that there are plenty of joint recreational activities after work, to bring the two nations together, like volleyball matches and chess tournaments.

Ormeni said that aboard the ship he learned the importance of keeping the morale up and fostering a spirit of friendship between American and Albanian troops living and working together here.

“We have organized different activities between the Albanian and American forces so that they can establish that relationship with each other,” he said.

“The Albanian diving team has cooperated with the US army diving team, working together and training in our waters,” said Ormeni. “They are exploring our waters and sharing experience with each other… and learning from each other.”

According to Ormeni, the Albanian and American commanders have agreed on these joint training missions.

“Together we are unbeatable,” Ormeni added. “We are stronger together.”

DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale US military-led exercise designed to build preparedness and enhance interoperability capabilities between the US, NATO allies and partner armies.
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