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ATLANTA, Ga. (October 31, 2008) -
Representatives from 14 countries in U.S. Army Central's area of
operations came together for the Concept Development Conference in
Atlanta, Ga. Oct. 27-31. The CDC acts as a setting for delegates to
plan the 2009 Land Forces Symposium to be held in Kenya.
The Land Forces Symposium is co-hosted by Gen. George W. Casey,
Jr., U.S. Army Chief of Staff, and Lt. Gen. James Lovelace,
USARCENT commanding general.
After four days of meetings and deliberating, the delegates came
together with Lovelace and Command Sgt. Major John Fourhman,
USARCENT command sergeant major, to review the tentative plan for
the 2009 LFS. They also decided on a focus that coincides with the
direction USARCENT has been going in. When senior land forces
commanders come together in April 2009, the theme will be Land
Forces' Challenges in a Full Spectrum Environment.
Throughout the CDC the countries came together preparing the
various themes and topics that senior land forces commanders will
talk about in April, said Lt. Col. Stephen Richter, USARCENT Civil
and Military Affairs Arabian Peninsula planner.
"They are looking for issues that are most important so
commanders can discuss them and make improvements in cooperation to
enhance security," Richter said.
Lt. Col. Ernest Irick, USARCENT chief of strategic initiatives,
used an analogy as he described the importance of venues such as
the Land Forces Symposium and Concept Development Conference in
Full Spectrum Operations.
"Instead of having many hammers trying to hit one nail, it is
better to work together," Irick said.
"Coalitions working together act as one sledgehammer nailing
together in an effort to achieve a common operating picture."
Working together will enable countries to deal with issues such
as counterterrorism, crime and violent extremist organizations,
Irick added.
"The current trends in the world impact certain regions of the
world," said Col. Rizat Yergaliyevich Kolpashev of Kazakhstan. "In
order to solve challenges we commonly face, it is necessary to
cooperate."
Brig. Gen. Michael Machuria of Kenya agreed, noting issues that
affect not only his country but many.
"In a group like this, you develop common ways of looking at an
issue, it is like looking through the same lens," Machura said.
"Problems are not special to one country, they cut across the
region. Border security is a good example of this. This affects
Kenya but also other countries like Kuwait and Iraq."
Before the CDC was over the fast paced planning for LFS had
begun with plans to secure speakers and organize logistics. In
anticipation of holding the 2009 Land Forces Symposium in Kenya,
Machura spoke with excitement.
"It is a good thing because we are marketing our country," said
Machura. "We have good relations with the American Army. We train
our Army here and we have good projects that the Americans are
doing in Kenya."
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