Kem Desa Pahlawan (KDP), MALAYSIA-- Members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Pacific held an opening ceremony to officially announce the start of Keris Strike 14 at Kem Desa Pahlawan, Malaysia on Saturday, Sep. 13.
KS 14 is an annual, bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. This year marks the 18th iteration of the exercise, which contributes to enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and tactical interoperability while strengthening the bilateral relationship.
"This is about bilateral relationships between Malaysia and the United States where we focus on building relationships, and through those relationships you gain mutual trust," said Brig. Gen. Sean Jenkins, Deputy Commanding General- Support, 25th Infantry Division during a press conference following the ceremony. "It's also focused on our capabilities together and building capacity."
KrS 14 will run Sep. 13-26 in and around Kota Bharu, Malaysia. The military relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia is strong, important and based on mutual respect and cooperation. Combined training enables Soldiers to develop mutual respect, trust and partnership.
Approximately 500 U.S. personnel will participate in this year's exercise consisting of medical first responder training, counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) training, search and rescue operations, jungle operations, mounted Stryker training, Unmanned Aerial Device training and a brigade- and battalion-level command post exercise (CPX).
"I want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the exercise planning staff for both countries who have given their full commitment and untiring effort to ensure the success of this bilateral exercise," said Maj. Gen. Dato Mohd Shukuri bin Ahmad, General Officer Commanding of the Malaysian Army 2nd Infantry Division during the opening ceremony. "Last but not least, once again to the staff and participating troops from the United States Army, welcome to Malaysia and do enjoy your stay here."
Within the next couple of weeks the joint missions will be focused on peacekeeping and stability operations, based on UN training standards with emphasis on Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR).
In the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, whether it is HA/DR efforts, deterrence missions, or honoring security commitments, the U.S. military remains forward, engaged, and ready to respond to any contingency or crisis.
Keris Strike 14 provides a venue for the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for peace support operations with an emphasis on C-IED tactical operations, demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.
"It is our pleasure to have you over here and to assist in making this exercise a successful one," said Shakuri during his closing remarks. "Ladies and gentleman, I now hereby officially declare Exercise Keris Strike, series 18, 2014 open with the phrase 'execute, execute, execute' may God bless us all and have good planning, thank you."
Keris Strike 14 is the second exercise in USARPAC's "Pacific Pathways" 2014 program. Approximately 700 soldiers from the 2-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division, I Corps, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., have been deployed in support of Pacific Pathways. A battalion-sized element of 2-2 SBCT is currently deployed in Indonesia for exercise Garuda Shield 14 and a smaller element of 2-2 SBCT is currently here in Malaysia for Keris Strike 14. These elements of 2-2 SBCT will then travel to Japan for Orient Shield, and redeploy to JBLM once complete. The 2-2 SBCT will be enabled by Air Force, Hawaii Army National Guard and Army Reserve from Hawaii, Utah, and Washington.
For more information about Keris Strike, please visit the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KerisStrike.
Related Links:
25th Infantry Division Website
For more Pacific Pathways photos, click here to view the I Corps' Flickr album.
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