- Title: EGYPT: U.S. PARTICIPATES IN MULTI-NATIONAL MILITARY EXERCISE "BRIGHT STAR"
- Date: 23rd October 2001
- Summary: (U7) CAIRO, EGYPT (OCTOBER 21, 2001) (REUTERS) 1. AV SHIP USS BATAAN HELICOPTER CARRIER; AV HELICOPTERS LANDING AND TAKE OFF FROM SHIP (8 SHOTS) 0.39 2. MV AMERICAN MARINES DOING GYM EXERCISES (2 SHOTS) 0.53 3. SLV TANKS INSIDE THE SHIP 0.57 4. SLV HELICOPTERS ON DECK; MV COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN MARTIN R. MALLARD TALKING TO CREW MEMBERS IN CONTROL ROOM AND LEAVING; MV CREW MEMBERS (2 SHOTS) 1.15 5. SCU CREW MEMBER WATCHING RESCUE EXERCISE FROM A DROWNING HELICOPTER THROUGH BINNOCULARS; SLV WINCHING EXCERCISE FROM HELICOPTER; SLV PEOPLE ALIGHTING HELICOPTER ON DECK (7 SHOTS) 2.20 6. SOUNDBITE (English) COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN MARTIN R. MALLARD SAYING "The classic example is that we are here participating in a multinational exercise with Egypt. I believe Jordan and Kuwait are also playing in it. Egypt has been a very moderating influence over here and a good friend for a long time. I think the first time I participated in Bright Star was in the early eighties as a young pilot off of an aircraft carrier so I'm going to let the politicians do the coalition building but this is a great way to enhance all those strengths, friendship, team work, mutual support if you will, and enhance our combat training and capabilities. 2.54 7. SOUNDBITE (English) EXECUTIVE OFFICER CAPTAIN GLENN M. BURNER SAYING "If our orders change then we will carry them out when they change, but right now we will stay in the Mediterranean" 3.02 8. SCU NAME BADGE OF CAPTAIN MALLARD 3.07 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 7th November 2001 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Reuters ID: LVA1CRO5ZYYH224H1T27UIKL5JTD
- Story Text: The United States is participating in a multinational
exercise called "Bright Star" in the Mediterranean Sea.
More than 70,000 troops began operations on 8 October
as part of the biannual Bright Star military training exercise.
The manoeuvres were first held in 1980 as a joint
US/Egyptian single service ground exercise, but have since
grown to include land, sea and air forces from eight different
countries. Despite its commitment to the build up of forces in
the Arabian Gulf, the US is the single biggest participant,
with about 23,000 troops in theatre. Cairo has also reiterated
that the exercise has no bearing on the military campaign
against Afghanistan.
Egyptian military forces and members of the U.S. Central
Command's Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and special
operations components will participate in Bright Star, a
joint/combined training exercise in Egypt.
Military forces from eight other nations - France,
Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Spain and the United
Kingdom, will also participate.
Bright Star is the largest and most significant
coalition military exercise conducted by the Central Command.
This exercise is an important part of U.S. Central Command's
theatre engagement strategy and is designed to improve
readiness and strengthen the military and professional
relationships between U.S., Egyptian and participating forces.
Commanding Officer Captain Martin R. Allard said, "Egypt
has been a very moderating influence over here and a good
friend for a long time . I think the first time I participated
in Bright Star was in the early eighties as a young pilot off
of an aircraft carrier so I'm going to let the politicians do
the coalition building but this is a great way to enhance all
those strengths, friendship, team work, mutual support if you
will, and enhance our combat training and capabilities".
The Department of Defense has declined to confirm
whether there are any plans to redeploy these forces once the
exercise ends on 1 November 2001.
Executive Officer Captain Glenn M. Burner said, "If our
orders change then we will carry them out when they change,
but right now we will stay in the Mediterranean."
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