By Gazette Staff CAIRO, Sept 21, 2018 - The long-running Egyptian-American military exercise "Bright Star 2018" came to a successful end on Friday near the Mohamed Naguib Military Base, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Armed Forces. This year's 12-day exercise, which started on September 8, has focus on counter-terrorism, detecting and eliminating roadside bombs, and border security operations. Sixteen Arab and foreign countries had been invited to attend the drill as observers. Only Egyptian and US forces were taking the field. The "Bright Star 2018" drills have included a Theatre Amphibious Combat Rehearsal, a coastal patrol boat missile and gunnery drills, as well as command post and field training exercises. The command post exercise has also focused on unconventional forces conducting operations against coalition forces, and the field training exercise has emphasized tactical interdiction against a hybrid threat. A senior leaders' seminar was held at the end to discuss best practices. The "Bright Star 2018" has built on the strategic security relationship between Egypt and the United States, which plays a leading role in counterterrorism, regional security, and efforts to combat the spread of extremism. The first Bright Star exercise took place in 1980. The activities of Bright Star 2018 drills were held at Mohamed Naguib military base and in the combat training ranges of the Northern Military Zone, the statement said. During the 12-day exercise, the Egyptian and American forces carried out a project of the joint land-air command centres. The project included several theoretical and practical lectures, battle preparation and organisation, command and control activities and the exchange of expertise and information. The project also involved training on the exercise of decision-making in record time and invoking different scenarios in the face of sudden and emergency situations during the actual management of operations on the ground, the statement added.
