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SAUDI ARABIA (February 22, 2009) - Over the
next few weeks, National Guard Soldiers from across the U.S. along
with U.S. Army Central servicemembers, will work side-by-side with
Royal Saudi Land Forces to strengthen military interoperability and
relations between the two nations through a field training exercise
called Friendship One 2009.
"[Friendship One] has multiple facets to it; but most important,
it's a great opportunity to help with interaction with a foreign
army to be able to build a friendship with them and a relationship
that will be long lasting," said Lt. Col. Anthony Mohatt, battalion
commander, 2nd Battalion 137th Combined Arms Battalion, Kansas
National Guard.
All exercise participants have arrived to Saudi Arabia and will
begin conducting training the first week of March; however, some
training has already taken place for U.S. and Saudi advanced party
elements who are responsible for receiving, staging, training and
supporting exercise participants. This training included
opportunities for observer controller/ trainers, to begin to
familiarize themselves with different radio and Multiple Integrated
Laser Engagement Systems that will be used in the field
exercises.
Several events have also taken place allowing the U.S. and Saudi
Forces to integrate and show their enthusiasm for this
opportunity.
One such event included a gift exchange presentation, which was
instrumental in expressing each countries friendship.
Major Gen. Rhett Hernandez, U.S. Military Training Mission to
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Northern Area Commander Major
Gen. Ahmed Saeed Al Shehri, addressed the 2/137th and RSLF Soldiers
who attended the presentation in support of the exercise.
"This is a historic exercise," said Hernandez, "It's been 17
years since the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the United States Army
Soldiers have trained side-by-side together. You are now part of
history and when you are part of history, you want to make more
history, so I look forward to the training you will conduct
together."
In addition to being part of history, Soldiers of the 2/137th
will be able to share their first-hand experience from previous
deployments to help with the field training portion of the
operation.
"Many of the Kansas National Guard Soldiers have been in Iraq
and have participated in combat operations in Iraq," said Lt. Col.
Tony Carbone, U.S. advisor to the RSLF's 6th Brigade, U.S. Military
Training Mission. "They are well trained in being able to execute
this type of exercise."
Much of the day-to-day focus of the exercise will be on maneuver
capability and interoperability along with logistical coordination
and support between the two nations. The exercise will also give
both countries an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn new
operational tactics while improving military relationships.
"The offer was given to us a year ago and we jumped at it," said
Mohatt. "We thought it was a great opportunity to come out and do
this."
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