Staff Sgt. Daniel Dornbusch, 149th Military Engagement Team, stands ready to raise the American flag during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 opening ceremony July 22, 2017, at Illisky Training Center, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier multin...
Maj. Gen. Murat Bektanov, Kazakhstan Land Forces commander, greets representatives from each nation participating in Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 during the opening ceremony July 22, 2017, at Illisky Training Center, Kazakhstan. (U.S. Army photo by Capt....
Lt. Col. Bulat Dusembayev, commander of the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion, participates in the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 opening ceremony July 22, 2017, at Illisky Training Center. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier multinational exercise focused ...
Maj. Gen. Murat Bektanov, the Kazakhstan Land Forces commander, and representatives from partner nations participating in Exercise Steppe Eagle 2017, salute soldiers as they march past during the opening ceremony, July 22, at the Illisky Training Cen...
Tajikistani senior officers observe their soldiers conducting an exercise lane with Kazakhstani soldiers July 25, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Steppe Eagle is a multinational exercise that ...
A Kazakhstani soldier from the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion and a British soldier from 1st Battalion, The Rifles, 160 Brigade, discuss the outcome of a simulation lane July 26, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center nea...
A British soldier from 1st Battalion, The Rifles, 160 Brigade, discusses cordon and search operations with senior officers from the Tajikistan Land Forces July 25, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhst...
Sgt. John Houk, a U.S. Army Soldier with the 86th Combat Support Hospital, works with soldiers and medics with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion to treat simulated casualties July 27, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Cent...
Sgt. 1st Class Dutch Chapman, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, checks a Kazakhstani soldier's protective mask for a proper seal after a simulated chemical attack July 27, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Traini...
A Kazakhstani soldier with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion dons his chemical protection gear while Sgt. 1st Class Dutch Chapman, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, checks his protective mask for a proper seal after a simul...
Sgt. 1st Class Dutch Chapman, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, discusses proper sealing techniques for protective gear with Kazakhstani soldier's after a simulated chemical attack July 27, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17...
Kazakhstani soldiers from the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion use a radio to report an unidentified exploding ordnance after clearing civilians from the area during a simulated patrol lane July 28, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky T...
Kazakhstani soldiers with Company 2 of the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion discuss company tactical operations center tasks with Master Sgt. Richard Harris, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, July 28, 2017, during Exercise Ste...
A Kazakhstani platoon commander practices a key leader engagement with role players during a situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock villages at the at the Illisky Training Center, July 26, 2017 near Almaty, Kaza...
A Kazakhstani platoon leader gives a class and practices movements with his soldiers in preparation for civil disorder situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock forward operating bases at the at the Illisky Trainin...
A Kazakhstani platoon leader gives a class and practices with his soldiers in preparation for a civil disorder situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock forward operating bases at the at the Illisky Training Center...
A Kazakhstani platoon commander gives a class and practices with his soldiers in preparation for civil disorder situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock forward operating bases at the at the Illisky Training Cente...
Kazakhstani medics practices tactical evacuation of soldiers in during civil disorder training in preparation for the civil disorder situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock forward operating bases at the at the I...
A Kazakhstani platoon leader gives a class and practices movements with his soldiers in preparation for civil disorder situational training exercise for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at one of the mock forward operating bases at the at the Illisky Trainin...
Col. Jose Devarona, director of U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division, greets Lt. Gen. Murat Maikeyev, chief of the general staff of the Kazakhstan Armed Forces, July 31, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near...
Col. Jose Devarona, director of U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division, center, and Lt. Col. Kent Cavallini, 149th Military Engagement Team deputy commander, right, greet Lt. Gen. Murat Maikeyev, chief of the general staff of the Kazakhstan ...
Lt. Col. Kent Cavallini, 149th Military Engagement Team deputy commander, joins Col. Jose Devarona, U.S. Army Central, in greeting Lt. Gen. Murat Maikeyev, chief of the general staff of the Kazakhstan Armed Forces, July 31, 2017, during Exercise Step...
Col. Jose Devarona, director of U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division, right, provides an overview of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 and an exercise control group update to Lt. Gen. Murat Maikeyev, chief of the general staff of the Kazakhstan Arm...
Col. Jose Devarona, director of U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division, right, provides an overview of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 and an exercise control group update to Lt. Gen. Murat Maikeyev, chief of the general staff of the Kazakhstan Arm...
NATO evaluators observe Kazakhstani soldiers with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion perform first aid and radio operations for a simulated field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almat...
NATO evaluators take notes during a simulated field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. A primary goal of Exercise Steppe Eagle is for Kazakhstan to certify to NATO Evaluati...
NATO evaluators observe Kazakhstani soldiers with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion perform first aid and medical evacuation procedures for a simulated field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Cent...
A Kazakhstani soldier with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion uses orange smoke to mark the landing zone and guide in a helicopter for a simulated medical evacuation during a field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at...
Four Kazakhstani soldiers with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion quickly carry a simulated casualty to a helicopter for medical evacuation during a field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near...
A Kazakhstani soldier with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion assists the helicopter crew in adjusting a casualty's position during a simulated medical evacuation for a field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, during Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illis...
Four Kazakhstani soldiers with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion load a simulated casualty into a helicopter for medical evacuation during a field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty...
Staff Sgt. Arturo Vargas, 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, proudly bares the U.S. colors during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe ...
Four Kazakhstani soldiers with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion load a simulated casualty into a helicopter for medical evacuation during a field training exercise Aug. 1, 2017, for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty...
A British soldier with 1st Battalion, The Rifles, 160 Brigade, lowers the flag of Great Britain during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier ...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, center, along with distinguished visitors from partner nations, salutes during the playing of national anthems and recovery of the flags for the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ce...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, remarks on the successful completion and partnership of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 during the closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exerc...
Maj. Alex Hortop, chief of staff of the 160 Brigade, British Army, remarks on the success and the more than 10 years of partnership of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 during the closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhst...
U.S. Army Soldiers and participants from five additional partner nations form up for the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier multinational exer...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, left, discusses the U.S. Army participation in Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 with Lt. Col. Kent Cavallini, 149th Military Engagement Team deputy commander, Aug. 3, 2017, during the dist...
John Cornelius, an exercise planner with U.S. Army Central, left, discusses the Exercise Control Group operations with Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, Aug. 3, 2017, during the distinguished visitor's day of Exerc...
Flag bearers from the U.S., U.K., Turkey, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan form up on the parade field during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is...
U.S. Army Soldiers march around the parade field during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier multinational exercise focused on peacekeeping ...
British soldiers march around the parade field Aug. 4, 2017, during the closing ceremony of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe Eagle is a premier multinational exercise focused on peacekeeping...
Staff Sgt. William Gordley, 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, folds the recovered U.S. flag during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise Steppe ...
U.S., United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia State partner soldiers stand in formation for the start of a memorial ceremony for World War II veterans who gave their lives in service. The ceremony was part of a cultural day for Exercise Steppe E...
Kazakhstan, Central Asia State partners, U.S. and United Kingdom soldiers get ready for the start of a memorial ceremony for World War II veterans who gave their lives in service. The ceremony was part of a cultural day for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 a...
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Dostie, U.S. Army Central command sergeant major, right, greets a Kazakhstani soldier, Aug. 3, 2017, during the Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 distinguished visitor's day at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Exercise S...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, right, Col. Jose Devarona, U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division director, and Lt. Col. Bulat Dusembayev, Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion commander, discuss the Exercis...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, right, Col. Jose Devarona, U.S. Army Central Security Cooperation Division director, and Lt. Col. Bulat Dusembayev, Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion commander, discuss the Exercis...
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general, right, looks out over a Kazakhstani Air Assault Forces weapons qualification range, Aug. 3, 2017, during the distinguished visitor's day at Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kaz...
Kazakhstani service members perform a series of traditional and modern dances and songs from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, United Kingdom, and the U.S. for the soldiers participating in Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 as part of a cultural day July 29, 2017, in...
U.S. Army Maj. Steven Equils, Master Sgt. Richard Harris and Col. Jose Devarona render honors at the WWII eternal flame memorial for service members that gave their lives during World War II at the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. The ceremony was part...
U.S. Army Maj. Steven Equils and Master Sgt. Richard Harris lay flowers in front of the World War II eternal flame memorial to show respect for all service members that gave their lives during WWII. The ceremony was part of a cultural day for Exercis...
U.S. Army Maj. Steven Equils, Master Sgt. Richard Harris and Col. Jose Devarona prepare to lay flowers in front of the World War II eternal flame memorial to show respect for all service members that gave their lives during WWII. The ceremony was par...
United Kingdom soldiers lay flowers in in front of a World War II internal flame memorial to show respect for all service members that gave their lives during WWII. The ceremony was part of a cultural day for Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 at the Park of 2...
Kazakhstan, Central Asia State partners, U.S. and United Kingdom soldiers begin the march to lay flowers in front of the eternal flame memorial to show respect for all service members that gave their lives during World War II. The ceremony was part o...
Representatives from the United Nations and partner nations participating in Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 salute as soldiers lower each participating countries flag during the closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017 at the Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kaza...
Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van shakes hands with Minister of Defense Gen. Col. Saken Zhasuzakov at the closing ceremony of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 on Aug. 4, 2017 at the Illisky Training Center near Almaty, Kazak...
U.S., United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia State partner representatives gave thanks to all the Kazakhstani service members who performed for the participating partner nations of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 as part of a cultural day July 29, 201...
Minister of Defense Gen. Col. Saken Zhasuzakov and representatives from partner nations participating in Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 salute soldiers as they march past during the closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017 at the Illisky Training Center near Almaty, ...
ALMATY, Kazakhstan - Six nations came together to signal the successful completion of Exercise Steppe Eagle 17 during a closing ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at the Illisky Training Center, here, in Kazakhstan.
More than 800 soldiers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the U.S. built relationships and developed a mutual understanding of peacekeeping and peace support operations July 22 - Aug. 4.
Exercise Steppe Eagle has been held in the spirit of partnership for peace with a wide range of participants since 2003, said Gen. Col. Saken Zhasuzakov, Minister of Defense for the Republic of Kazakhstan. "The exercise has become a tool to train on cooperation and improve the level of interoperability."
"This is the tenth year that the U.S. has participated in Steppe Eagle along with Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion," said Master Sgt. Richard Harris, 149th MET future operations noncommissioned officer in charge, who served as a company-level mentor during the exercise.
The exercise kicked off with six days of simulation training exercise (STX) lanes. Soldiers from the U.S. and U.K. integrated with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion and companies to conduct military operation planning, rural patrolling, vehicle convoy drills, cordon and search operations, urban patrolling, crowd control and forward operating base defense and operations. Soldiers also honed their tactical medical care and chemical defense skills.
The final five days combined the skills from the STX lanes into a culminating field training exercise for all participants and a NATO Evaluation Level 1 certification for the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion.
"During the exercise, NATO experts evaluated Kazakhstan's Peacekeeping Battalion, KAZBAT, on the first level of the Operational Capabilities Concept Program, which allows us to determine the level of interoperability of KAZBAT's peacekeeping unit with the forces and assets of NATO countries and other partner countries," said Maj. Gen. Jan K. Toft, director of the Cooperation Security Division of the NATO Headquarters International Military Staff.
Toft said he felt confident these concepts were fully achieved.
"I would like to congratulate all of the officers and soldiers and other exercise participants for successfully conducting Exercise Steppe Eagle 17," he said. "I do believe that military cooperation in Kazakhstan and other NATO countries and partners will grow."
Soldiers from participating countries "have demonstrated a desire and commitment to work together to conduct multinational peacekeeping operations," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, Task Force Spartan deputy commanding general.
In addition to the military training, soldiers from each country immersed themselves in the Kazakhstani culture, proving there was a lot more to learn from each other. Soldiers compared cultural differences and further strengthened the bonds formed during the exercise.
During a culture day hosted by Kazakhstan's Airmobile Forces Brigade, soldiers from all six nations participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II memorial, the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, and a concert at the brigade headquarters.
"Exercise Steppe Eagle gave all of us an opportunity to train hard and sharpen our military skills. It also gave us the opportunity to build relationships and create lasting friendships," said Van.
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