"Bright Star 2018" drills continue at Mohamed Naguib military base

CAIRO - 17 September 2018: “Bright Star 2018” military exercises continued Monday at Mohamed Naguib military base, naval and air combat training zones as well as the Egyptian Northern Military Zone with the participation of troops from Egypt, the US, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France, the UK, Greece and Italy and 16 observer countries.

A statement released by the Armed Forces on Monday said the participating troops carried out a project to set up a joint training command center which involved several military activities, joint training, decision-making skills as well as a number of scenarios for handling urgent and emergency circumstances on the ground.

The drills reflected the skills of the combat troops from various countries and highlighted their abilities for cooperation, exchange of expertise and information, as well as making a record timing in responding, in a collective action, to counter any possible aggression, added the statement.

Elements from the Naval Forces also carried out joint drills on countering non-conventional threats and implementing out day and night rescue operations.

Their training included making naval formations and firing at targets with live ammunition.

Meanwhile, the Special Naval Forces carried out drills on raiding of suspected ships, emergency evacuation and ship inspection as well as submarine detection.

Also, Special Troops Units continued their training on storming terrorists' armed hideouts with the involvement of naval and Saaqa forces and parachuters.

The aim of these exercises is to share experiences, coordinate work among the forces, standardize concepts, develop training in counter-terrorism work, plan for administrative and medical support, and train for both joint air operations and maritime security work.

Bright Star also includes projects of joint command centers, lectures to exchange experiences among countries, and tactical projects involving shooting with live ammunition.

Bright Star first began in October 1980, as a result of the US-brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The joint maneuvers are held in autumn every two years on Egyptian soil.