KUANTAN, Malaysia — Seven Chamorro Soldiers combined their expertise and talents with Malaysian Armed Forces for an intense, two-week exercise, here, as part of U.S. Army, Pacific’s Keris Strike 2010.
Hosted by Malaysia’s 3rd Infantry Division and 4th Brigade Mechanized, Keris Strike 2010 was the latest in a series of regional exercises designed to promote peace and security while continuing to strengthen U.S./Malaysian relations and further build on the peace support operational capacity of its participants.
Leading the U.S. effort for the fourth year was the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command, which served as executive agent for the exercise by providing operational control, logistical coordination, planning life support for participants and providing key personnel for the 14th annual event.
In addition to the Malaysian Armed Forces and the 9th MSC, members of the Utah National Guard’s 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; the Guam National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment; the 56th
Theater Information Operation Group; the 411th and 413th Contracting Support Brigades; and U.S. Pacific Command played key roles in the training exercise.
Saipan native, Lt. Col. Edward Camacho; and Guam natives, Cpt. Rickey Flores, 1st Lt. Charles Esteves, Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Togawa, Staff Sgt. David Hernandez, Staff Sgt. Michael Taman, and Sgt. Jason Clemente added Chamorro flavor into the exercise mix.
During the course of the exercise, participants focused on mastering the basics of peace support operations in two lengthy days of academic training followed by building bilateral teams to execute a four-day, mini staff exercise. For the third and final phase, the command post exercise, the teams put what they learned into action.
Five members of Guam National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment worked side by side with their Malaysian Army counterparts to respond properly to various U.N. peace support operational scenarios as part of a fictional, multi-national, battalion-level effort.
“We were able to establish a friendship with our Malaysian counterparts, said Hernandez, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. “They were very respectful and hospitable … just all around good people. I guess they’re like the Guam people in that respect.”
Though each of the Soldiers had their own unique experience, one description seemed to be a common denominator — a mutually beneficial relationship.
“One thing that I learned from them was learning to understand people’s culture and trying to adjust your tactics based on their culture,” said Flores, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. “I think that’s one of the reasons why Malaysia has been so successful in humanitarian missions in the past.”
Togawa, a U.S. Army, Pacific, Soldier who worked with the Malaysian Armed Forces on providing computer network support for the exercise, was impressed with the professionalism of his counterparts.
“They are really high speed,” he said. “They know exactly what they are doing.”
Malaysian Army Capt. Norhisham B. Hassan, company commander, 7th Royal Ranger Regiment, was moved by seeing the way Guam’s enlisted Soldiers and officers to work together.
“The relationship among [Guam] Soldiers and officers is very professional,” he said. “I see [enlisted] Soldiers completing officer tasks. In the Malaysian Army for example, information is actually handled by officers, but in Guam I can see the Soldiers handling the information. I think that is one thing that we can incorporate with our Soldiers.”
Malaysian Army Capt. Muhd Solleh Bin Abd Aziz, platoon commander, 7th Royal Ranger Regiment, elaborated on the importance of the exercise.
“We are expanding the bond between Malaysia and the U.S. every time new men are exposed to this exercise.
We are teaching our Malaysians to have bigger responsibilities.”
(The writer is with the 9th Mission Support Command Public Affairs Office)
