# Exercise Bright Star ’23 underway in Egypt

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/09/exercise-bright-star-23-underway-in-egypt/
- Published: 2023-09-06T12:36:58+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

Bright Star 23 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab
Republic of Egypt across air, land, and sea domains that promotes and enhances regional
security and cooperation, and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against
hybrid threat scenarios.

Exercise BRIGHT STAR 2023 features command-post exercise, field training exercise
and senior leader seminar, held with the Arab Republic of Egypt and other partner
nations. It was initially conceptualized as a bilateral biennial training exercise
between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977. The first edition
of the Exercise was conducted in 1980 in Egypt. From 1995 onwards the exercise was
expanded for participation by other nations. The previous edition was held in 2021,
with the participation of 21 countries.

Participation strengthens military-to-military relationships between U.S. forces
and our Egyptian partners in the Central Command area of responsibility, as well
as other participating nations. The exercise enhances regional security and stability
by responding to modern-day security scenarios.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1000w_q95-scaled.jpg)

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, EGYPT
09.03.2023Photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Qin[ ](https://www.dvidshub.net/rss/personnel/1757329)
Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade [](https://www.dvidshub.net/search/unit/5MEB)

Approximately 1500 U.S. servicemembers will participate in BRIGHT STAR 23. The focus
will be on regional security and cooperation while promoting interoperability in
conventional and irregular warfare scenarios. The exercise will consist of field
training exercises (FTX), a command post exercise (CPX) focused on military decision-
making process, military academics, Command and Control, Combined Joint Task Force
planning and a senior level leadership Seminar.

“BRIGHT STAR has long been an example of the military-to-military partnerships in
the CENTCOM area of responsibility,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander
of CENTCOM. “This year’s exercise demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Egyptian
military cooperation and deepens the interoperability of all the partnering Nations.”

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Bright Star 23 is a preeminent exercise that highlights partnerships which play 
a leading role in counterterrorism, regional security, and the efforts to combat
the spread of violent extremism. Bright Star is one of the longest-running exercises
in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. The first Bright Star exercise
took place in 1980 with this year being the 18th iteration.

The military exercise, which will continue till 14 September, will also include 
observers from 15 other countries in addition to the participation of civil police
and a number of legal experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

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This year 34 countries will participate in what will be the largest ever joint military
exercise in the Middle East and North Africa region. India will contribute 549 personnel,
as well as five MiG-29 fighter jets, two C-17 and two C-130 transports, and two 
Il-78 aerial tankers.

The Exercise will comprise of a large number of training activities focused on combating
emerging unconventional threats and enhancing regional partnerships amongst participating
nations aimed at maintaining world peace. In addition to the various field and situational
training exercises, Exercise Bright Star 23 will also include a combined arms live
firing exercise. A panel discussion on contemporary topics is also planned to be
conducted on Cyber Security for which the [Indian Armed Forces are the lead force.](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/india-egypt-exercise-cyclone-2023/)

Among the countries that are participating in the exercise taking place on Egypt’s
North Coast and other naval bases and air bases across the country are Saudi Arabia,
Greece, UAE, Oman, Jordan, UK, Greece, Cyprus, Pakistan, and India.

U.S. Marines with Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Central Command, and the Egyptian
Hostage Rescue Force conduct a rifle and pistol range during the field training 
exercise as part of Bright Star 23 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt, Sept.
3, 2023.

U.S. Marines with 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, and 4th Law Enforcement Battalion,
U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, advise partner nation forces on military operations 
on urbanized terrain (MOUT). US Army M1A2 main battle tanks and M88A2 Hercules recovery
vehicles are being shipped to Egypt in preparation for Bright Star 23. US Marines
will also deploy their amphibious armoured vehicles to jointly conduct amphibious
landing drills for first time since Bright Star 2009.

This military exercise represents a historic partnership between the United States
and Egyptian armed forces, which plays a leading role in counterterrorism, regional
security, and efforts to combat the spread of violent extremism. In its 18th iteration,
BRIGHT STAR is one of the longest-running exercises in the U.S. Central Command 
Area of Responsibility, with the first exercise taking place in 1980.

Since 1978, the United States has contributed more than $50 billion in military 
assistance to Egypt designed to support and expand the Egyptian military’s capabilities
to protect and defend its land and maritime borders.

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