Exercise Bright Star ’23 underway in Egypt

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.