PORT OF SHUAIBA, Kuwait - The 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team is loading their vehicles on a cargo ship, but they are not going home, they are preparing for Bright Star 2018.
Bright Star 2018 (BS18) is a multilateral U.S. Central Command training exercise, held with the Arab Republic of Egypt in Egypt.
The exercise is about more than just training.
“Bright Star 18 is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with our Egyptian partners. It provides an opportunity for addressing relevant regional issues associated with enhancing regional security and cooperation, promoting coalition interoperability in irregular and conventional warfare, and improving interoperability throughout the full range of military operations,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Albert L. First Jr., an operations non-commissioned officer assigned to Headquarters Company, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard.
“The exercise also provides our military the opportunity to maintain and improve proficiency while strengthening relationships and interoperability with our Egyptian partners,” he said.
A large part of the training was actually gained in the mission’s planning.
“The planning phase for Bright Star 18 is a huge undertaking requiring indebtedness for multilevel coordination for both U.S. and Egyptian counterparts. Joint planning provided a unique opportunity to share insight on administrative, logistical, and tactical strategies, while developing cohesion and relationship building," said First.
One facet of the exercise’s planning, transportation to and from the exercise, is an abundant task.
"The time frame dictates on how much planning we go through,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan B. Brittingham a mobility officer assigned to 840th Transportation Battalion, 595th Transportation Brigade.
“We usually like to plan 45-60 days out from the actual movement date,” he said.
The lengthiness of planning helps the mission go smoother.
“[We plan like this so] when we are going back and forth with the customer on what [the] cargo is and where it is going, we can clear out any mistakes or errors that could hinder the transportation process”, said Brittingham.
With a large scale event like BS18, planning needs evolve as the event approaches
“You’ve got to know what you need to for the unit to be able to operate and to accomplish the mission on the exercise,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lee D. Stringer, a transportation management coordinator assigned to Headquarters Company, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. “Something like that will continue to change all the way until time to get on the vessel,” he said.
All the planning for Bright Star 18 not only provides a smooth transition, it also has other benefits.
"An exercise like this helps you use your skill sets across the brigade, it also helps us get ready and stay ready for an actual real world deployment,” said Stringer. “Any time you use your equipment, you use your people, you use difference systems, [you] always keep your readiness available.”
The 155th didn’t load the barge alone, it also took the help of a reserve unit out of Maryland, the 1398th Transportation Battalion.
“We are loading for Bright Star,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark J. Langley, a cargo specialist assigned to 1398th Transportation Battalion, 595th Transportation Brigade.
“Right now we are using contractors to load for us, we are supervising their operations, ensuring they latch it down properly, they’re handling the vehicles properly, they have no accidents or any issues.”
With Bright Star 2018 on the horizon, Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers exhibit the Army Total Force policy to prepare for mission success.