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Gen Lt Abdulsalam Azizov, Uzbekistan Minister of Defense, and His Excellency, Javlon Vakhabov, Uzbek Ambassador to the United States, visited Mississippi from 26-29 January 2019, to observe Uzbek soldiers participating in Exercise Southern Strike. They also met with the State of Mississippi’s senior leaders and take part in cultural activities. This was the first Special Operations exercise in the U.S. where the Uzbeks were actual participants.
The Minister of Defense was greeted upon arrival in Gulfport, Miss. by Major General Janson Boyles, the Adjutant General of Mississippi, and Brigadier General and U.S. Congressman from Mississippi, Trent Kelly, who serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for MSARNG. Other senior leaders included Lt Gen Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard, and Brigadier General Mike Nabors, Assistant Adjutant General-Air.
The Minister of Defense was given an overview of Exercise Southern Strike by the Exercise Director, Col Billy Murphy. The Minister finished his visit by observing his 13 SOF soldiers of Group 6 Spetsnaz participate in the culminating event of Exercise Southern Strike alongside their counterparts, SFODA 2231 out of Mississippi. The mission profile featured the Uzbek-U.S. team rescuing a HVT (High Value Target) while under duress from insurgents during the mission. The team entered the exercise area via fast roping from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and tactical vehicles and cleared two buildings to rescue the target.
That evening, COL Bobby Ginn, Commander of Camp Shelby Joint Force Training Center, hosted a dinner at the Camp Shelby All Ranks Club. Mr. Tom Lilly was the guest speaker. Mr. Lilly was instrumental in the development of Uzbek constitution upon its independence from the Soviet Union and shared his story with the group.
The Minister of Defense and his delegation continued their visit to the US with meetings at USCENTCOM in Tampa, Florida.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2019 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 316553 |
| Location: | MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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