Patton's Own embraces former Soviet state during information exchange

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Dave Bennett, Third Army/USARCENT CIMA Central and South Asia branch chief, speaks to both U.S. and Kazakhstani troops about the continued partnership of the two nations during the urban operations information exchange event, May 31. The exchange is part of the Third Army/U.S. Army Central's civil-military affairs Theater Security Cooperation program that hosts foreign soldiers and also sends U.S. Soldiers to participating countries in the USARCENT area of responsibility.  

06.01.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
Third Army/U.S. Army Central Public Affairs

Fort Bragg, N.C. - Third Army/U.S. Army Central hosted a delegation of soldiers from the Kazakhstan national army May 31-June 1 for an information exchange. The two-day program was part of a week-long trip in which Kazakhstan military policemen received an inside look at how the U.S. Army operates and uses MP forces in today's global struggle against violence.

The exchange and lessons learned from the trip will assist the Kazakhstani army as they continue to refine their own MP Corps.

The visit is part of the continued effort led by Third Army/USARCENT's civil-military affairs Theater Security Cooperation program that hosts foreign soldiers and sends U.S. Soldiers to participating countries in the Third Army area of responsibility to interface and exchange ideas with their counterparts.

"The TSC program allows us [Third Army] to build a lasting relationship," said Lt. Col. Dave Bennett, who is assigned to the USARCENT as the Central and South Asia branch chief. "This is the only program that allows the human factor of our nations to work together making it a more personal interaction between us."

Kazakhstan's MP Corps, which was established in 1997, is the only MP Corps in the former Soviet Union and is still establishing itself in the national army, said Bennett. It is to be a model for Central Asia. TSC events such as this can only build a foundation and willingness to work together.

"Kazakhstan participates in more TSC events than any other country in the [area of operation]," said 1st Lt. Erin Pendleton, Third Army's CIMA Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan desk officer.

During this event, the Kazakhstan soldiers received an up-close look at programs such as urban MP operations, airborne refresher training, military working dogs and the special reaction team - the military equivalent of the civilian police forces' SWAT teams. All events were coordinated by the Bragg- based 503rd Military Police Battalion.

While Kazakhstan currently uses its MPs in a law enforcement capability, the hope is to continue to learn and gain experience in an international capacity.

"We are eager to learn all these MP capabilities and continue to work with the U.S. in building a stronger relationship," said Capt. Tleukhan Baskhozhayev, a regional chief of the military police in Kazakhstan. "We are just still really young as an MP Corps."

The seven visiting soldiers, included senior Kazakhstan officials Col. Asylbek Zhumadilov, the first deputy to the main prosecutor of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Lt. Col. Andrew Sys, military prosecutor for the Kazakhstan national army, and Maj. Bakhytzhan Mailinov, chief of security and convoy director of Kazakhstan military police.

The Atlanta-based Third Army conducts TSC activities throughout 24 countries in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which spans the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. This includes enhancing or establishing relationships with regional national militaries, which promotes bilateral and multilateral interoperability, strategic access and operational basing.

One such event is an exercise known as Steppe Eagle, which links the Kazakhstan army with its U.S. counterpart, the Arizona Army National Guard, as well as British units. The exercise, the second of its kind, will take place this fall.

With these programs, Third Army helps its partner nations strengthen their defense relationships and improve their ability to effectively participate in coalition operations.

Third Army TSC events go beyond just MP operations. The program takes on many forms and conducts dozens of events in the United States or in the partnering country.

"The TSC program benefits both countries because we can work together to fight the Global War on Terrorism," said Capt. Gary Katz, Third Army/USARCENT operational protection operations officer. "It is all about learning from each other."

Bennett said that Third Army's TSC program benefits more than just the unit's mission requirements because it spreads diplomacy and increases U.S. national security.

"This is a great way to not only meet our partners but increase U.S. national security," he said. "We work together so we can both improve. You only see that with things like the TSC program."

The exchange will continue until June 8 with the delegation visiting military police facilities in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

• Date Taken: 06.01.2007
• Date Posted: 06.01.2007 13:37
• Story ID: 10626