Over the next few weeks, National Guard Soldiers from the U.S., along with U.S. Army Central service members, will work side by side with Royal Saudi Land Forces to strengthen military interoperability and relations between the two nations through a field training exercise called Friendship One 2009.
"[Friendship One] has multiple facets to it. But most important, it's a great opportunity to help with interaction with a foreign army to be able to build a friendship with them and a relationship that will be long lasting," said Lt. Col. Anthony Mohatt, battalion commander, 2nd Battalion 137th Combined Arms Battalion, Kansas National Guard.
All exercise participants have arrived in Saudi Arabia and will begin training the first week of March; however, some training has already taken place for U.S. and Saudi advanced party elements, who are responsible for receiving, staging, training and supporting exercise participants. This training included opportunities for observer controller trainers to begin to familiarize themselves with different radio and Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems that will be used in the field exercises.
Several events have also taken place allowing the U.S. and Saudi Forces to integrate and show their enthusiasm for this opportunity.
One such event included a gift exchange presentation, which was instrumental in expressing each country's friendship.
Maj. Gen. Rhett Hernandez, U.S. Military Training Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Northern Area Commander, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Saeed Al Shehri, addressed the 2/137th and RSLF Soldiers who attended the presentation in support of the exercise.
"This is a historic exercise," said Hernandez, "It's been 17 years since the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the United States Army Soldiers have trained side by side together. You are now part of history and when you are part of history, you want to make more history. So I look forward to the training you will conduct together."
In addition to being part of history, Soldiers of the 2/137th will be able to share their first-hand experience from previous deployments to help with the field training portion of the operation.
"Many of the Kansas National Guard Soldiers have been in Iraq and have participated in combat operations in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Tony Carbone, U.S. advisor to the RSLF's 6th Brigade, U.S. Military Training Mission. "They are well trained in being able to execute this type of exercise."
Much of the day-to-day focus of the exercise will be on maneuver capability and interoperability along with logistical coordination and support between the two nations. The exercise will also give both countries an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn new operational tactics while improving military relationships.
"The offer was given to us a year ago and we jumped at it," said Mohatt. "We thought it was a great opportunity to come out and do this."
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