International Unity in Defense: A new era of military synergy

Photo By Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran | Qatari Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, and other partner nations partook in a combined arms live fire exercise culminating in the end of Exercise Ferocious Falcon 5, Nov. 2023, in Qatar. During the exercise, U.S. and Qatari forces conducted training on the joint force headquarters, command post exercise, and live fire exercises. The goal of this exercise is to improve the cooperation and combined ability of U.S. and Qatari forces during combined operations. (U.S. Army Illustration by Sgt. Joaquin D. Vasquez-Duran)  

DOHA, QATAR

12.31.2023

Story by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran 

Task Force Spartan

DOHA, Qatar – In the realm of global defense, joint military exercises play a pivotal role in
fostering international cooperation and enhancing the operational readiness of participating
forces. The Ferocious Falcon -5 (FF5) exercise, hosted by Qatar from Oct. 29 to Nov. 9th,
demonstrated this collaborative spirit by bringing together armed forces from several nations,
including NATO members the United States, France, Turkey, and Italy .

The primary objective of the Ferocious Falcon exercises is multifaceted. It aimed at raising
combat efficiency, unifying combat concepts among the armed forces, and strengthening the
bonds of friendship and joint action. Additionally, the exercise served as a platform for the
exchange of experiences and tactics, which is crucial in an era when the nature of warfare is
continuously evolving.

Directed by Qatari Armed Forces Staff Maj. Gen. Rashid bin Ali Al Qashouti, FF5 was a
comprehensive tactical exercise simulating real-world combat scenarios. This involved
integrated air and land maneuver operations between the different partner nations to test the
capabilities and readiness of participating forces in a variety of challenging environments.

U.S. Army 2nd. Lt. Isidro Osuna, Task Force Spartan lead planner for exercises in
Qatar,coordinated, and ran this exercise from beginning to end and was able to see first-hand
the flexibility required for this exercise.

“The biggest challenge we had was the sudden change in timelines, whether it was timelines or
changes in plans,” said Osuna. “Thankfully though, we were able to adapt and react well. We
already had plans on top of plans if it went south. Early on we established communications and
support for our plans.”

The exercise emphasized the importance of interoperability – the ability of different military
forces to work cohesively in joint operations.

Click here to enter text.In a world where security challenges are increasingly transnational in
nature, the ability of different countries to operate jointly is essential. FF5 offered a unique
opportunity for participating countries to not only display their military prowess but also learn
from each other. Such exercises enhance mutual understanding and trust; key components in
maintaining global peace and security.

U.S. Army Capt. Rose Regan, Task Force Spartan medical officer, discussed working with the
Qatari Armed Forces during FF5.

“What we’ve done here is meet with the Qataris and share our setup and capabilities,” said
Regan. “It’s great how we can look at each other’s equipment to see what we have, what they
have, and they’re very impressed with all the things we bring out to the field.”

Participants gained experience in operating alongside forces from different countries,
understanding their tactics, and adapting to varied combat environments. The exercise also
provided insights into areas requiring improvement, ensuring that future collaborations would
be even more effective.

“I think any physician assistant having the chance for these exercises or to volunteer for a
deployment is absolutely worth your time,” Regan said. “Not only that but working with infantry
and artillery is not something I get to do on the civilian side or even in the National Guard side.”

Click here to enter text.Coordinating the movements and operations of diverse military units,
each with their own procedures and protocols, required meticulous planning and
communication. Multiple languages, cultures, and customs among participants add to the
challenges.

“We studied all the information down to the smallest details, “said Italian Army Chief Sgt. Maj.
Nicola Serra, field artillery specialist. “This is the most important part of our work when working
in a joint exercise. Even though we are well trained - one of the most challenging things is the
coordination between different countries.”

In coordination with Task Force Thunder, the Italian 5th Artillery Regiment tested out their use of
the HIMARS weapons system for the first time alongside the U.S. Army.

“Thanks to the willingness and flexibility of the U.S. Army, we managed to organize the joint
artillery activity,” said Italian Army Lt. Alessandro Milazzo, liaison fire officer a part of the 5th
Artillery Regiment. “The two sections, the first one was Italian and the second was American.”

The participation of NATO members in FF5 showcased Qatar’s growing role in international
security affairs and its capability to host and manage large-scale international military
exercises.

As the world navigates through an era of unprecedented security challenges, exercises like FF5
are invaluable in fostering an environment of collaboration and trust among nations.
“At the end of the experience,” Milazzo said, “We will carry away great memories with a lot of
lessons learned from the technical procedures inside a multinational and joint exercise.”

“Being able to get all the vehicles, equipment, and soldiers out to the training exercise was
mission success,” Osuna said, “You're going into a country where you are a guest. You have to
go in there very humble and be able to react to changing and shifting timelines.”

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• Date Taken: 12.31.2023
• Date Posted: 12.31.2023 11:26
• Story ID: 461121
• Location: DOHA, QA