U.S., RSLF engage in force-on-force battle for training

SAUDI ARABIA (March 3, 2009) - U.S. and Royal Saudi Land Forces were engaged in a force-on-force training battle in Saudi Arabia March 1.

The battle was part of Friendship One 09, a bilateral field training exercise encouraging the two nations to work side-by-side to strengthen military interoperability and relations.

"I will tell you, I have been all over the Kingdom many times, and there is no better training environment for learning than right here, said Maj. Gen. Rhett Hernandez, U.S. Military Training Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "The most important lessons are learned by Soldiers working side-by-side every day."

After several days of planning, pre-combat inspections and rehearsals, the Soldiers were able to execute their defensive and offensive roles using Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems and simulated live fire.

Although the U.S. and RSLFs operate as opposing forces on the "battlefield", much of Friendship One has been focused on the two nations working to learn from each other.

"The name says a lot," said Col. René Burgess, Chief of training exercises and simulations, U.S. Army Central. "It's friendship, it's interoperability and it's cooperation. So our goal is to increase the capacity of both forces, both Saudi and United States, in our ability to work together and our ability to train and to fight."