Bulgarian Special Forces host В-9 Thracian Sword 2018 Exercise

On 22 October, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence announced that the special forces of the nine member states participating in the Bucharest 9 Initiative (B9) started the multinational military drill "Thracian Sword - 2018" at the Novo Selo Training Area. This year, Bulgarian special forces are hosting the annual B9 exercise from 22 to 26 October, reports ArmyRecognition. 

В-9 CJSE "Thracian Sword 18" is held with the participation of up to 200 servicemen of the special operations forces from the Southeast Europe B9 members, which are the Republic of Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Montenegro, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, the Republic of Albania. This year's multinational joint training is conducted with the support of the U.S. Army Aviation.

On 1 October 1975, the 68th and 86th Training Parachute-Reconnaissance Bases were merged in the newly created 68th Independent Parachute-Reconnaissance Regiment "Spetsnaz". On 30 July 1993, the 68th Independent Parachute-Reconnaissance Regiment "Spetsnaz" was restructured into 68th Parachute-Reconnaissance Brigade "Spetsnaz" and once again put under the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff.

With the increased threat of international terrorist organisations in the 2000s and 2010s the 68th Special Operations Forces Brigade, renamed to 68th Brigade of Special Forces underwent a moderate renaissance in its special capabilities. The Brigade has deep training ties with similar foreign formations, especially the US Army's 10th Special Operations Group, but also the Portuguese Special Forces Brigade in Lamego, the Greek and Romanian special forces, the Serbian Special Operations Brigade etc. The Brigade has renewed its stocks of weapons (of mostly Heckler & Koch and...