Garuda Shield CPX closes, offers real world experience

BANDUNG, Indonesia Aca,!" The command post exercise portion of Exercise Garuda Shield 09 came to a close in a ceremony in Bandung, Indonesia, June 22.

The five-day, computer-simulated exercise focused on uniting 20 nations to execute a Department of Peacekeeping Operations plan as part of a UN Forces Headquarters. Working together not only helped to foster more security in the region, but increased interoperability amongst the exercise participants.

Aca,!A"The atmosphere of friendliness during the exercise has enhanced the interaction among the participants,Aca,!A? said Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Ankatan Darat, or Indonesian Army, Maj. Gen. Supiadin Adi Saputra, assistant for operations to the TNI commander in chief.

During the exercise, the officers were forced to face the many different issues which plague UN peacekeepers worldwide. They reacted to different scenarios such as opposition forces, humanitarian issues and rule of law.

Aca,!A"In todayAca,!a,,cs security environment, while we must be ready to deter and defeat, we must also be committed to facilitating peace through cooperation and goodwill,Aca,!A? said Brig. Gen. Pamela Milligan, U.S. Pacific Command in her address to the participants.

Exercise Garuda Shield is in its third year, but this year is unique from the last two. Normally, the exercise is a bilateral exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia and consists of a CPX. The function of this yearAca,!a,,cs exercise is to serve as the Global Peace Operations Initiative for the Asia-Pacific region.

The two-week exercise brings together Soldiers and Marines from 25 nations to train on UN mandated tasks. GS09 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. Training will focus on peace support operations and Global Peace Operations Initiative certification, a command post exercise, a field training exercise and humanitarian and civic assistance projects.

Aca,!A"Today, the world situation demands and our cordial relationships throughout the Asia Pacific regions allow us to work at unprecedented levels to achieve common goals,Aca,!A? Milligan said.

Those common goals allowed the CPX participants to achieve success in the exercise.

Aca,!A"The active participation of all the officers led the exercise to its purpose as planned,Aca,!A? Supiadin said.

While the CPX was ongoing, Soldiers and Marines from nine nations are participating in a field training exercise. The focus of this exercise is to ensure all the nations in attendance are well trained on the UN-mandated ground-level tasks.