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AMMAN, Jordan (August 6, 2009) - Being
successful on today's modern battlefield requires that a military
stay up-to-date on current doctrine and tactics as well making
communicating with partner nations a priority.
For this reason, Third Army/U.S. Army Central co-hosted the
fourth International Artillery Symposium in Amman, Jordan, Aug.
3-6.
Military personnel from eight partner nations attended the
symposium, including Yemen, Egypt and Jordan, who each gave
presentations about their country's artillery programs. The
symposium has been hosted in the past by the United Arab Emirates,
Bahrain, and Ft. Sill, Okla. This year's theme was Fires in Support
of Land Forces Commanders: The Role of Artillery and the Land
Forces Commander in Combined Operations.
"The International Artillery Symposium is designed to educate
artillery commanders and officers in the grade of colonel or
brigadier from the armor and infantry forces on the most current
doctrine and the necessary implementations to guarantee success on
today's modern battlefield," said Lt. Col. James E. Jackson Sr.,
Third Army chief, fire support element.
In order to accomplish this goal, participants attended briefs
and were educated on new innovations, weapons systems and potential
acquisitions for their armies' inventory, Jackson added.
"For the first time, Third Army invited commanders of artillery
from participating nations as well as their counterparts from
infantry and armor to provide for discussion at a maneuver -
supported and supporter level," said Peter Clymer, Third Army
civilian contractor for the International Military Affairs
division. "The result was some great detailed and sometimes
enthusiastic discussion - both during the question and answer
period after presentations and during breaks."
Conversations during breaks also fulfilled the symposium's goal
of fostering relationships between the countries in attendance,
which was especially important for Iraq.
This was the first time in many years that many of these Arab
countries attending have sat face-to-face with members of the Iraqi
Army.
Iraq's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Training as well
as representatives from its artillery directorate and maneuver
attended.
Participants also took a cultural tour to Umm Qais which
overlooks the Syrian Golan Heights.
"Attendees were taken to an observation point along the Jordan,
Syria and Israeli border," Clymer said. "The visit to the
observation post was a big hit; it was the first time for many of
the officers present to actually see Israel and the Golan
Heights."
Overall, the event will help improve self-defense capabilities
and prepare U.S. and sister forces in the long-term stability of
the region, Jackson said.
"Aside from the obvious professional gains from the symposium,
some lifelong friendships were established," Jackson said. "This
symposium allowed countries to sit together and discuss
misunderstandings they may have had in the past and restructure
friendships."
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