Bright Star 2023: Defense, Diplomacy, Unity
Story by U.S. Army Sgt. Joaquin D. Vasquez-Duran
40th Infantry Division Public Affairs
Task Force Spartan
Video by U.S. Army Spc. Zachary Potter
U.S. Army Central Forward Public Affairs
Oct. 4, 2023
CAIRO – Militaries from around the world gathered in Egypt. Not as tourists nor as treasure hunters but as members of one of the largest military exercises the region has seen: Bright Star 2023. In a world marked by rapid geopolitical shifts and evolving threats, exercise Bright Star 2023 stood as a beacon of enduring military partnership and camaraderie between the U.S. and participating nations. This multinational exercise, rooted in the sands of Egypt, not only showcases tactical prowess and strategic coordination but, more profoundly, underscored the timeless values of trust, mutual respect, and cooperation.
Through repeated drills and the roar of engines, the bonds forged between soldiers from diverse backgrounds echo a message of unity — emphasizing that in the intricate dance of diplomacy and defense, friendship and collaboration remain the most potent tools against common challenges.
On the very soil where pharaohs once reigned, a symphony of roaring engines and synchronized explosives echoed like ancient war drums. The tales of their ancient empires parallel the modern armies, penning a legendary chapter in a saga of diplomacy, defense and arms.
The setting, so grand and epic allowed Soldiers from the 40th Infantry Division, sent from California all the way to Egypt for this grand exercise.
The Exercise:
A complex moving puzzle.
Bright Star, which began in 1980, has been one of the longest-running exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. After a pause in 2009, the multilateral Bright Star exercise resumed on a bilateral basis beginning in 2017, with a greater focus on realistic scenarios and modern threats. A total of 32 countries, over 8,000 international troops, including 2,500 Egyptian troops and 1,500 from the U.S., attended Exercise Bright Star 23.
Exercise Bright Star is a massive operation. Organizing a single exercise for one unit has complexities in itself that involve the logistical movement of troops, equipment, maintenance, lodging, and of course, the meals required to keep them fueled for their hard day’s work. Between airborne operations, explosive ordnance detonation with robotics, drone demonstrations, and combined armed live fire exercises, there was a large amount to understand during Bright Star 23.
That level of complexity can increase when incorporating another unit. It doubles when including another branch, and exponentially increases when including another country. These challenges stack together, creating a four-dimensional puzzle bending the above factors through a lens of cultural confusion and translation challenges between dozens of nations and multiple languages. Any minor setback or small challenge, is in the end, eclipsed by the massive success that took place.
U.S. Army Col. Dexter Jordan, training exercise chief of U.S. Army Central Command, said this exercise tested the readiness and capabilities to deploy forces.
“We built a really good relationship with our Egyptian partners,” said Jordan. “We have been here on multiple occasions and have had great opportunities not only to train the Egyptians but the other countries participating.”
This exercise provided a forum for addressing relevant regional issues associated with enhancing regional security and cooperation, promoting coalition interoperability in irregular warfare, and improving interoperability throughout the full range of military operations.
The Players:
The world seeks collaborative defense strategies.
Countries were split into two groups - participants and observers. The participating nations cooperated on drills that included live fire, vehicle maneuvering, and even aircraft refueling. These drills, despite sometimes requiring a linguist to translate, crossed all cultural, language, religious, and state boundaries in terms of their use. One example was the use of medical procedures in the combat zone.
British Armed Forces Lance Cpl. Jodie Newell, a combat medical technician, led a medical training session during one of the situational training exercises in which she taught care under fire, tactical field care, and casualty evacuation.
Newell, who has done medical training in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Uganda in the past, said she was excited and grateful to be teaching Egyptian and Qatari soldiers.
“They respect us and listen to us, and that’s all that any instructor could ask for, really,” Newell said.
While some tactics are timeless, there exists a changing battlefield that doesn’t include the need for tourniquets - but circuits, gears, and automation.
A U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal team demonstrated the use of robotics for the removal of explosives on the battlefield. One of the Sailors passed the controller to an Egyptian counterpart and assisted the maneuvers with instructions.
“We have enjoyed our time at Bright Star 23,” a U.S. Navy EOD technician said. “We worked with multiple nations and exchanged best practices on a wide range of EOD actions. EOD is a tough job that requires constant learning, and Bright Star 23 allowed our team to do exactly that.”
EOD robots stand at the forefront of technological advancement in modern defense tactics. Serving as a bridge between human intuition and robotic precision, these machines specialize in the detection, assessment, and neutralization of potential explosive threats. By allowing military and law enforcement teams to maintain a safe distance from these threats, EOD robots can dramatically reduce the risk to human life during bomb disposal operations.
Nations were eager to share and adapt to more of these innovations. For instance, collaboration with the Indian Army, known for its vast operational experience across diverse terrains, provided an excellent opportunity for mutual learning and the fine-tuning of such robotic and other applications in real-world scenarios.
“Exercise Bright Star 23 provided a unique opportunity to the Indian Army to share best practices and experiences with other armies besides enhancing the defense cooperation. Indian Army looks forward to an enriching professional experience from the Exercise,” said India’s Ministry of Defense in a press release.
The Watchers:
Countries globally recognize the value of shared defense exercises
The emphasis on multinational collaboration and interoperability could serve as a template for other nations. Such collaborative endeavors can not only reinforce defense ties but also foster mutual understanding among diverse forces.
Japanese Defense Attaché Col. Masanori Matsumuto, attended exercise Bright Star 2023 as an observer.
“Bright Star 2023 has many common issues which we must deal with,” Matsumuto said. “So, I believe it is very useful for us to participate in it.”.
Brazilian Defense Attaché Col. Mario Carvalho was present for both the closing forum and combined armed live fire exercise.
“Despite the geographic distance, Brazil acknowledges the strategic importance of North Africa and the Middle East due to their geographic positions,” Carvalho said. “In the era of globalization, any instability or conflicts in a region of the world can potentially impact Brazil’s security.”
Success Through Unity
In the the Egyptian desert, where the legacies of ancient pharaohs blend seamlessly with modern ambitions, Exercise Bright Star 2023 culminated not just as a military drill, but as an emblem of international unity.
This exercise, monumental in scale and significance, embodies the spirit of global defense collaboration, forged bonds that transcended borders, languages, and cultures. It served as a resounding testament to the belief that in a world rife with uncertainties, cohesive multinational alliances are the linchpin to safeguarding peace and prosperity.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, U.S. Army Central commanding general, congratulated the soldiers for the combined armed live fire exercise.
“You did an incredible job out here," Frank said. "This is why the Egyptians want the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines showing their training, because you are the best in the world.”
As the sun set on this chapter, the world watched, inspired and hopeful, that the lessons and camaraderie built here will echo in the corridors of defense policies and strategies across continents.
The United States and Egyptian armed forces and over 30 partner nations participate in Bright Star 2023 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. Bright Star 2023 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. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Zachary Potter)
The United States and Egyptian armed forces and over 30 partner nations participate in Bright Star 2023 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. Bright Star 2023 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. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Zachary Potter)
Brig. Gen. William D. Betts, Commander of 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, joins a forum for exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
Brig. Gen. William D. Betts, Commander of 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, joins a forum for exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
Malawian Defense Force soldiers attend a forum to discuss exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. -- (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
Malawian Defense Force soldiers attend a forum to discuss exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. -- (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
U.S. Army Lt. Gen, Patrick Frank, U.S. Army Central Commanding General, attends a panel discussing exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept.14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
U.S. Army Lt. Gen, Patrick Frank, U.S. Army Central Commanding General, attends a panel discussing exercise Bright Star 2023, Sept.14, 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. (U.S Army Photo by Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)
Partner nation military leaders attend the Egyptian-led multinational amphibious assault demonstration during exercise Bright Star 23 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt, Sept. 13, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla)
Partner nation military leaders attend the Egyptian-led multinational amphibious assault demonstration during exercise Bright Star 23 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt, Sept. 13, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla)
Malawi Defense Force Capt. C.V. Kalolo observes a Joint Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise during Bright Star 23, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt, Sept. 14, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. David Campos-Contreras)
Malawi Defense Force Capt. C.V. Kalolo observes a Joint Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise during Bright Star 23, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt, Sept. 14, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. David Campos-Contreras)
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