By Army Master Sgt. Mary Ferguson,
8th Theater Sustainment Command
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia, March 16, 2016 — U.S. and Cambodian forces officially opened Angkor Sentinel 2016, an annual bilateral military exercise hosted by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific during a March 14 ceremony at the Training School for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces here.
This year marks the seventh iteration of the exercise, which officials said is designed to collectively strengthen the two countries’ humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities and improve military-to-military cooperation.
“I believe the Angkor Sentinel exercise that begins today showcases some of the best kinds of things militaries accomplish for their nations and citizens,” said Julie Chung, charge d'affaires at U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh. “Angkor Sentinel’s activities will include training and exchanges covering humanitarian assistance, disaster response, first aid, engineering, explosive ordnance disposal, countering improvised explosive devices, transporting people and supplies, and developing leaders. Any country -- including both Cambodia and the United States -- will be a better, safer place to live with military people who are skilled in these functions.”
Forces From Various U.S., Cambodian Units
The two-week exercise brings together Cambodian forces from the Royal Cambodian Army, the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance, and Gendarmerie Royale Khmer, with U.S. forces from U.S. Army Pacific, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, 130th Theater Engineer Brigade, 8th Military Police Brigade, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, the Idaho Army National Guard, 18th Medical Command, Asia Pacific Counter-IED Fusion Center and 413th Contracting Brigade.
Army Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, the commander of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, encouraged the more than 150 participants to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to learn from each other’s expertise and absorb each other’s rich cultures and traditions.
“Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are priorities for both of our countries, and as we operate together in this complex, ever-changing region, exercises like this one are critical to our regional stability and security,” he said. “When we join together, train together, and grow together now, we ensure that we are prepared together for whatever the future may bring.”
The concentrated training agenda includes intense academics, team-building events, and practical exercises intended to foster exchange and opportunities for the two countries’ militaries to learn about each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures while strengthening relationships and building the foundation for future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises, officials said. Its expert academic exchanges and training events will culminate in a combined situational training exercise March 25.