Fort Bragg hosts multi-national training exercise

[Sergeant Major]

More than 100 paratroopers from Egypt, Germany, Pakistan and Kuwait arrived at Fort Bragg on Sept. 26 to take part in Operation Bright Star, a multi-national training exercise bringing together Soldiers from different nations to train, teach, and learn from each other.

More...

[AyatollahGondola]

Are Egyptians our allies in the Arab world? I certainly hope so. I further hope they don't end up being deployed in the US to administer Arab neighborhoods if a conflict arises in America

While at Fort Bragg, the Coalition forces will train with U.S. weapons, learn American tactics, techniques and procedures for a variety of battle drills, conduct airborne operations, and build cultural understanding through events such as a trip to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.

To prepare for the arrival of the coalition forces, Soldiers with the 2nd BCT underwent training to learn about the other nations' cultures in order to show respect and not accidentally offend their guests, said Sgt. William Brooks, of Company A, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

"It's good to do this so we can get the barriers out of the way," Brooks said, "So when the time comes (and we have to work together in combat), all that's behind us and we can get right to the fight."

The U.S. and international forces participated in "friendship jumps" on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The airborne operations gave the paratroopers the opportunity to earn coveted foreign jump wings, as well as build camaraderie during the training and the jump itself.

"Oftentimes, you think you're the only airborne unit in the world, but it's nice to know that, not just you, but your allies too, have this capability," Brooks said.

In addition to cultural differences, the language barrier between the Soldiers was an obvious obstacle. To overcome it, the Soldiers communicated in whatever way they could, either through an interpreter, using hand gestures, or just speaking slowly and clearly to each other.