FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan.--Approximately 750 students in the Command and General Staff Officers Course at the US Army's Command and General Staff College will host 150 students from the United Kingdom's Intermediate Command and Staff College (Land) for a two week long exercise starting March 4. Exercise Eagle Owl allows students to integrate into combined brigade combat team staffs to plan and execute a stability operation mission within a fictitious scenario. The students are mentored by US and UK faculty members. Seven members of the UK Stabilization Unit, similar to the US AID, are also accompanying the students.
The exercise is held twice a year to coincide with the two courses each college holds annually. It is the largest exercise of its kind among two allied nations stressing interoperability and understanding. This will be the sixth year for the exercise. The exercise is designed to give: a shared understanding of US and UK cultural and procedural similarities and differences; experience in combined / joint brigade-level deliberate planning for irregular warfare and stability operations; and to build professional relationships to facilitate future partnerships in combined operations.
Prior to the official start of the exercise the UK officers hold a two-day Reception, Staging, Onward movement, Integration (RSOI) program to familiarize the UK officers with US customs, norms and culture. The weekend consist of briefings from the Combined Arms Center UK Liaison Officer, COL Simon Waddington and Major General Buster Howes, the Defense Attaché, British Defense Staff in Washington, DC, as well as road safety and driver familiarization briefs.
The exercise is capped off with a sports day / BBQ on March 14. The officers will participate in various sporting events to include golf, skeet, Iron Major, softball, and soccer. The UK chefs will prepare the BBQ and the trophy presentation will occur around 1800. The UK officers are planning on returning home with the trophy for the third year in a row.
Social Sharing