MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt –
The Egyptian Training Authority, with U.S. military support, invited over 36 nation's militaries to the Exercise Bright Star 18 Senior Leader Seminar, Sept. 17, 2018. The seminar provides the attending nations the opportunity to focus on best practices for counterinsurgency, border control, terrorism and other irregular warfare challenges.
The first Bright Star Exercise took place in 1980 and its purpose, which has not changed today, is to promote and enhance regional security and cooperation with the Egyptian armed forces.
The seminar began with opening remarks from U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jon Mott, U.S. Central Command Director of Exercises and Training and Egyptian Army Major General Khalid Khairy, Egyptian Training Authority Deputy, and, co-director of Exercise Bright Star 18.
“We are grateful and excited for this opportunity to come together to focus not only on our common interests of regional security and defeating extremist organizations,” Maj. Gen. Mott said. “But also reaffirming our mutual respect and collective friendship.”
Presentations were given by the Egyptian, United States, Jordanian, Greek, and United Kingdom armed forces. Topics included counter-terrorism, illegal immigration, and inter-agency operations such as the United States Agency for International Development.
The seminar was used as a platform to reinforce interoperability with partner nations in the surrounding regions and strengthen existing multilateral relationships.