Operation Bright Star Continues in Egypt

The United States Army reports that Operation Bright Star continues this month in Egypt.

For the last few decades, every other year, US and Egyptian forces have practiced for war, simulating various attacks on Egypt from various types of forces. The emphasis is on coordination between the armies of Egypt and the US, but also among various partners from Europe. In the past, B-52s have flown across the world to drop their conventional loads in the desert, sometimes flying just above the deck to drop their eggs. Various units from all branches of the services have participated.

The practice takes place, usually, at three levels. Troops meet and greet and exchange weapons and examine one another's equipment. Headquarters officers participate in joint planning and in simulations. And Staff officers exercise with troops to learn the logistical and planning coordination necessary between the various nationalities. In the past, the UK, the US, Greece, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, and many other nations have participated; to add to the complexity, various branches of the military forces of these nations have to learn how to get along, air forces, armies, special services, navies, etc. The necessity of such practice is emphasized when one realizes that even within the forces of one nation the various branches do not always communicate well. For example, in the invasion of Grenada, the Navy had trouble communicating with the Army, and specialists had to step in to translate between the services.

This year the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry, the Rainbow, Division, are involved. The 42nd saw action in Tikrit, Iraq.

The exercise is also designed to demonstrate some things, that "we can deploy a division headquarters . . . an Army headquarters, conduct airborne operation[s] . . . and insert an infantry company on the ground," says Lt. General R. Steven Whitcomb.

Naturally, many times armies want to keep planning and capabilities secret, but sometimes they want to show potential enemies that it is not worth while to attack, because our forces will be more than capable of taking care of business if it comes to a fight. This is one of those exercises. It provides deterrence as well as practice for the troops.

The Egyptian 9th Armored Division is partnering with US forces in the exercise. It is well thought of by the US Army. They know the terrain and are the best in the area. Officers from the two armies interact a lot and learn from one another, basically, picking one another's minds.

Bright Star, US Army