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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (October 15, 2009) - Since
1981 U.S. Central Command and the Egyptian Military have partnered
in an ongoing multi-nation training exercise. The exercise is
designed to strengthen military to military relationships and
improve readiness between Egyptian, U.S. and other countries with
an interest in the region. Airborne operations and an amphibious
landing exercise kicked off the first day of events for Operation
Bright Star 2009.
"Over the past three decades it has
grown from a two-nation exercise involving only ground troops to
now being a multi-national event designed to increase regional
involvement in pursuit of improved security and defense
capabilities," said Maj. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel, Third Army/U.S.
Army Central Deputy Commanding General.
The amphibious landing exercise
consisted of four major waves. Each wave built upon the previous
wave and complemented the next, giving the units involved the
opportunity to work together and have a distinguished part to make
the mission a success.
In the first wave of the exercise
zodiac fast insertion boats brought in Egyptian Special Forces
composed of Egyptian Army Rangers and Navy Special Operations
Forces from U.S. Navy ships located in the Mediterranean Sea. Once
the group secured the beach they communicated back to the command
element, confirming enemy locations, suitability of beach landing
and direct fire from the naval ships and aviation assets.
"The demonstration showed forcible
entry from the sea to seize a beachhead," said Col. Gareth F.
Brandel, Commanding Officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary
Unit.
The beachhead line was created when a
unit reached El-Amein beach and began to defend that area. This
created an entry point for forces to stage equipment and supplies
build combat power and conduct operations deeper into "enemy" held
territory.
Quickly following was the second
wave, the assault wave. This wave used a combination of assault
tactics. Amphibious assault vehicles were launched from the USS
Fort HcHenry, a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, and from
Egyptian landing craft. The MV-22B Osprey Aircraft carried a
company of marines to a strategic inland location and AH-1W Super
Cobra Attack Helicopters were used to conduct the main assault.
The third wave consisted of vehicles
and assault forces aboard landing craft utilities, more commonly
known as LCUs. The LCUs delivered light armored vehicles, assault
forces, Pakistani Marines, Kuwaiti Marines and U.S. Marines to the
beachhead. Their goal was to secure ground further inland and
establish a secure beach.
The final assault wave hovercrafts,
called Landing Craft Air Cushions, brought to shore HUMVEES . The
LCACs can glide over water and land. Because of this
characteristic, LCACs have easier access to land than the other
vessels and boats and can carry as much as 75 tons of equipment.
The Marine HUMVEEs are part of the combined anti-armor team and
went ashore to help reinforce the defensive positions previously
established by the first three waves.
After all the vehicles and personnel
landed, commanders communicated their unit's status and reported
when they have secured their section of the beach.
"We use all of our assets to maintain
our proficiency and in conjunction with our allies in a combined
exercise, each one of the nations participate and continue to build
on their expertise," said Brandel.
The Bright Star 2009 amphibious
exercise was about team building, emphasizing coordination and
communication. The event executed as planned and was a successful
demonstration of the Bright Star participant's ability to conduct
successful operations together.
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