Sunday, September 18, 2011

Malaysia, US Army Conduct Joint Military Exercise

Malaysian and the US military is now conducting a combined military exercise with code name called "15/2011 Keris Strike" at the Terendak Army Camp in Malacca from 15 to 27 September. The morning of 15 September representatives from both countries held a welcoming ceremony to bless the smooth running of the combined military exercise and also to wish all military officers represented in the combined exercise all the best.
This kind of combined military exercise between Malaysia and the United States has been conducted in the past years and this year's combined military exercise is the 15th round of combined military exercise between the two countries. Malaysian Armed Forces sent Major General Datuk Razali bin Haji Ahmad, Commander of the Malaysian Army Third Division to represent Malaysia to receive the 117 US soldiers led by US Brigadier General Michele G. Compton.
Main Objective
This code name "Keris Strike" combined military activity between the Malaysian and US military is part and parcel of the regular combined military exercise held between Malaysia and the United States. This kind of military activities has been carried out for many years now. The purpose of this combined military exercise is to promote regional security and to share experience and knowledge with each other when the armies are required to carry out the task in the maintenance of regional peace and security. The aim is also to help create a harmonious regional security platform.
At the ceremony, Major General Datuk Razali Haji Ahmad said that this year, Malaysian Armed Forces has sent 150 soldiers of different ranks to participate in this combined military item. Both countries have also exchanged some important information.
He said: "We are grateful for the support given to the Malaysian military by the US military. This combined military activity is aimed to upgrade Malaysian military's experience and knowledge when it carries out regional defense task; it is also meant for the Malaysian military to learn, to prevent and to avoid conflict and violence."
UN Mandate
Major General Datuk Razali said Malaysians should keep the situation and development in Somali as a lesson to remember. He said the regional security problem in Somali has turned Somali into a chaotic state. The situation in Somali has also hampered the world community's effort to carry out peace progress there.
This military activity is carried out in line with the UN mandate. The combined military exercise between the Malaysian and US Army will be carried out inside the Terendak Camp in Malacca that began from 15 September.
Meanwhile at the welcoming ceremony, US military representative Brig Gen Michele also gave advance blessings and well wishes to both the Malaysian and US military representatives who are going to participate in this combined military exercise. Brig Gen Michele hoped that the army officers from both counties can reap fruitful reward and experience. Brig Gen Michele believed that the Malaysian military could provide the US military with highly quality training environment.
Rewards and Experience
Brig Gen Michele said the participating US soldiers came from the various units of the US Army. They will put in their full force to help Malaysian Army upgrade its standard and level in carrying out assignment in the maintenance of regional peace and security.
At this welcoming ceremony, the soldiers from both countries also carried out their respective religious prayer. They prayed that the Malaysian and US soldiers who participate in this combined military exercise will reap fruitful rewards and experience. This was done toward the end of the ceremony. While the US soldiers bowed their heads to say their prayer, the Malaysian soldiers carried out their prayer according to the Islamic ritual.

No comments: