Approximately 700 U.S. and three,000 South African Armed forces service members gathered here for the outlet ceremony of Exercise Shared Accord 13, July 24.
This is the second one exercise of its type between these two countries and is the results of bilateral discussions that originated in 2009, and were approved in 2010.
“This particular exercise is aimed toward specifically providing collective training for america and the South African National Military while building interoperability and mutual understanding between the 2 military,” said South African Maj. Gen. Ephraim Phako, deputy chief of Joint Operations.
The senior U.S. officer at the ground said he hoped the exercise would enable his forces to higher themselves and learn new ways of doing things by watching their counterparts.
“We are here also to be told how [South Africans] conduct their day-to-day operations, airborne operations and peacekeeping operations and in turn show them how we conduct those self same operations,” said Brig. Gen. Peter L. Corey, deputy commander of U.S. Army Africa. “We will improve our own skills by training with them in yet another environment.”
Shared Accord 13 is a U.S. Army Africa-executed exercise. The multilateral keep fit exercise features a live-fire operation, airborne and dismounted infantry tactics, a maritime amphibious assault, peacekeeping operations and disaster response. Moreover, a humanitarian civic assistance project is scheduled to be able to provide primary medical, veterinary and optometry assistance to the local population.
“The exercise will include training in peacekeeping operations and joining with sister services to conduct humanitarian aid within the kind of local medical, dental and veterinary clinics,” said Phako, adding that greater than 10,000 pairs of eyeglasses are planned to be distributed.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, can be making-up the majority of U.S. forces excited about the exercise. They are going to be joined by service members with 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Special Forces Group, 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, District of Columbia Army National Guard, Rhode Island Air National Guard, The big apple Army National Guard, 3rd Infantry Division, 1st Medical Command and 1172nd Movement Control Team.
The ultimate goal is to construct lasting relationships and increase professional capacity of militia from both countries.
“It is my wish that Exercise Shared Accord 13 will set a sterling example for future cooperation and peace support missions between the militia of our two countries,” said Phako.
Exercise Shared Accord is scheduled to run through Aug. 5. All U.S. units will return to their home bases on the conclusion of the exercise.
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