NEAR ALEXANDRIA, Egypt -- Five countries participated in a friendly fun jump for Bright Star 2009. Participants shared wings and plaques in a small ceremony afterwards. The exercise was just one of several multinational events during Operation Bright Star 2009. Bright Star 2009 brings together different countries to work together as one. Participants work through various language barriers. They train together and work on coalition team building. Bright Star is a time for camaraderie and bonding between the nations.
"The purpose of the operation is to foster a spirit of cooperation in the different participants or participating armies." said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patrick Hynes, battalion commander, 1/325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
In 1981, Bright Star started with two nations, Egypt and the United States. Now, 28 years later, service members from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom train with Americans and Egyptians to build relationships and develop, refine and improve interoperability in this region. Third Army spearheaded this year's operation.