Exercise Keris Strike 22 begins

By Pfc. Wyatt MooreJune 13, 2022

Keris Strike 22 Opening Ceremony
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander of Interoperability Col Michael van Welie and Commander of the Malaysian 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division Brig. Gen. HJ Fazal Pin HJ Abdul Rahman, inspect the ranks of the combined forces participating in Keris Strike 22, on Camp SG Buloh, June 10, 2022. Keris Strike is a bilateral Army-to-Army exercise between the Malaysian Army and United States Army Pacific that increases interoperability operations and reaffirms shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Wyatt Moore) VIEW ORIGINAL
Keris Strike 22 Opening Ceremony
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and the Malaysian Army stand in formation during the opening ceremony for Keris Strike 22, on Camp SG Buloh, June 10, 2022. Keris Strike is a bilateral Army-to-Army exercise between the Malaysian Army and United States Army Pacific that increases interoperability operations and reaffirms shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Wyatt Moore) VIEW ORIGINAL

SG BULOH, Malaysia — U.S. Army Pacific and the Malaysian Army officially began the 26th edition of Keris Strike 2022 after a combined opening ceremony at Camp SG Buloh, Malaysia, on June 11, 2022.

Keris Strike is a bilateral army-to-army exercise between the Malaysian Army and United States Army Pacific that focuses on enhancing partner land force capacity and capabilities, addresses internal security challenges, and increases interoperability that reaffirms shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region.

The 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander of Interoperability Col. Michael van Welie addressed the combined formation on the importance of partnership and training together as the guest speaker representing USARPAC.

Keris Strike 22 Opening Ceremony
The 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander of Interoperability Col Michael van Welie addresses the combined forces participating in Keris Strike 22, on Camp SG Buloh, June 10, 2022. Keris Strike is a bilateral Army-to-Army exercise between the Malaysian Army and United States Army Pacific that increases interoperability operations and reaffirms shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Wyatt Moore) VIEW ORIGINAL

“This exercise is crucial to enhancing our joint capability as we strive for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” van Welie said. “We are excited to commence this year's training and learn from one another.”

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Cavalry, 4th Squadron, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division will train with their Malaysian counterparts on jungle skills, military operations in urban terrain, live fire exercises, and conduct a myriad of subject matter expert exchanges where Soldiers share best practices within their field of study.

Although van Welie discussed the importance of training together, he also highlighted the need of enhancing the partnership on a personal level.

Keris Strike 22 Opening Ceremony
U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and Malaysian Armed Forces conduct the opening ceremony for Keris Strike 22, on Camp SG Buloh, June 10, 2022. Keris Strike is a bilateral Army-to-Army exercise between the Malaysian Army and United States

Army Pacific that increases interoperability operations and reassures shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Wyatt Moore)
VIEW ORIGINAL

“I ask that you all get to know each other over the course of this exercise,” van Welie said. “This creates a bond, and an understanding between one another that can only push us forward.”