The United States and Cambodia Begin First Joint Military Exercise of the Year

AKP Phnom Penh, March 13, 2012 –

The United States and the Royal Government of Cambodia begin today the weeklong joint military exercise, Angkor Sentinel, according to a U.S. Embassy’s press release yesterday.

The military exercise will take place until Mar. 22 in Kampot and Kampong Speu provinces, it indicated.

Angkor Sentinel 2012 is a major, bilateral exercise that continues a substantial, multi-year effort by U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Pacific Command to actively engage with Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and expand peacekeeping and stability operations capabilities, it said.

Approximately 100 members of U.S. Army Pacific will join Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in focusing on peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations, including a battalion exercise, a counter-improvised explosives devices field exercise, medical civic actions projects to treat underserved rural inhabitants, and battlefield medical activities, it added.

It is an annual, bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, said the press release, stressing that Angkor Sentinel 2012 is the latest in a continuing series of rigorous, multi-faceted exercises designed to promote regional peace and security.

This exercise marks the third anniversary of this significant and highly productive regional military exercise, it said.

By KHAN Sophirom